K. Raghavan
K. Raghavan | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Raghavan Master |
| Born | 2 December 1913 Thalassery, Malabar district, British India |
| Died | 19 October 2013 (aged 99) Thalassery, Kerala, India |
| Genres | Indian classical, light music, mappila songs |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Tabla, keyboards, thambaru, drums, vocals |
| Years active | (1951–2000) (2007–2010) |
| Labels | HMV India |
K. Raghavan (Malayalam: കെ. രാഘവന്) (2 December 1913 – 19 October 2013), popularly known as Raghavan Master, was a Malayalam music composer. Along with G. Devarajan, V. Dakshinamoorthy and Baburaj, Raghavan was often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. He was the pioneer in contributing Malyalam film songs with its own tunes ans tyles. Till then, Malyalam film songs were in the tunes of popular Hindi and Tamil film songs and old classical kritis. K. Raghavan gave a new direction and identity to Malayalam film music. As he searched for the right tune for the lyrics, little did K. Raghavan realise that he was about to compose history. He had composed around 400 songs in Malayalam Cinema and was active in Malayalam film industry for nearly four decades.[1]
Personal life
Raghavan was born to folk singer M Krishnan and Narayani in Thalassery on 2 December 1913.[2] He died at the age of 99 on 19 October 2013 in Thalassery.[3]
Early life
Raghavan was born in Thalassery, Kannur in the Indian state of Kerala to M. Krishnan and Narayani in 1913. He started studying classical music from his childhood and was also a good football player. His professional career was started as a Tambura player in All India Radio, Chennai. In 1950 he got transferred to Kozhikode and there he got involved with film artists.[4]
Career
Raghavan set a new trend in Malayalam film music with the release of the 1954 movie Neelakuyil. Renowned lyricist and Raghavan's friend P. Bhaskaran had penned the songs in Neelakkuyil. Raghavan himself has rendered his voice for one of the songs in Neelakkuyil. The song Kayalarikathu valayerinjappol went on to become an instant hit.[5]
Music career
In a career spanning over four decades, he has scored music for more than sixty Malayalam films and many of his compositions remain ever green classics in Malayalam.[6] Raghavan infused the folk element into Malayalam film music and his rustic melodies replaced the then prevailing trend of imitations of popular Hindi tunes of the day.He also composed songs for plays like Kerala People's Arts Club and All India Radio. And he dared try out a variety of voices to Malayalam film music, many of them were new. Mehboob, K. P. Brahmanandan, Balamuralikrishna, M. L. Vasanthakumari, A. P. Komala, Gayathri Srikrishnan, Santha P. Nair, A. M. Rajah, K. P. Udayabhanu, M.G. Radhakrishnan, P. B. Sreenivas, Vani Jayaram, Jikki, V. T. Murali, and G. Venugopal... they have all sung for him.
As a musician
- First Movie Pullimaan in (1951).
- Number of Movies 65
- Number of Songs 405
- State Awards 2
Immortal songs
Some of the unforgettable songs composed by K. Raghavan:
- Kayalarikathu...
- Ellarum chollanu...
- Nazhiyuripalu kondu...
- Hrudaythin romancham...
- Maanathe mazhamukil...
- Shyamasundara pushpame...
- Aattinakkareyakkare...
- Poornendumukhiyodambalathil...
- Nalikerathinte nattilenikkoru...
- Manjani poonilavil...
- Kathu sookshichoru...
- Appozhe paranjille...
- Manathe Mazhamukil malakale...
- Anuragakkalariyil angathinu vannavale...
- Pambukalkku maalamundu... (KPAC drama song)
- Thalayku meethe... (KPAC drama song)
Awards
Civilian Awards by Govt. of India
- 2010 – Padma Shri
- 1973 – Best Music Director
- 1977 – Best Music Director – Poojakedukkatha Pookkal.[7]
- 1997 – Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime Achievement – J. C. Daniel Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of Kerala
Other Awards
- 2000 – Best Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2006 – Swaralaya Yesudas Award
- 2011 – M. G. Radhakrishnan Award[8]
References
- ^ "Evergreen compositions". The Hindu. 9 February 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ "Raghavan Master is no more, his songs are forever". Times of India. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ Mathrubhumi English – Legendary music director Raghavan master passes away
- ^ "Music director Raghavan passes away". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "CHORDS AND NOTES". The Hindu. 20 February 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ MSI Musician Index – K. Raghavan
- ^ "STATE FILM AWARDS 1969 – 2008". The Information & Public Relations Department of Kerala. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ "MG Radhakrishnan Award to Raghavan master".