B. A. Chidambaranath
Encyclopedia
Bhoothapandi Annavi Chidambaranath was an India
n film score composer and musician who worked mainly in Malayalam films
.
from his father, B. K. Arunachalam Annavi. He also took training for sometime under Muttiah Bhagavathar and used to play mridangam for him at his concerts. He then learnt the violin
first under Nagamani Marthanda Nadar and then for seven years under the Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai. Chidmabranath was noticed by music director C. N. Pandurangan, when he was playing violin at a concert of M. M. Dandapani Desikar.
His film career began in 1948 when he assisited Pandurangan for the Tamil films Gokuladasi and Jnanasoundari. He debuted in Malayalam with Vellinakshathram
, the first film of Udaya Studios
. He had also scored a Sinhalese film before his entry into Malayalam. After scoring the film Sthree (1950), his third film as a composer, Chidambaranath took a sabaticcal and did not contribute to film music for 14 years. He joined All India Radio
and worked for their musical productions and conducted his own concerts during this time. It was P. Bhaskaran
who brought him back to film scoring. It was during this phase, which saw him score the music for 14 films, beginning with Rajamalli (1964), that Chidambaranath made his presence felt. His magnum opus Murappennu
was released in 1965. Songs like "Karayunno Puzha Chirikkunno" and "Kadavathu Thoniyaduthappol", both from this film, are considered his master pieces. With that film, he established himself as one of the leading composers and went on to score some of the major films and hit songs in the late '60s and '70s. He has scored music for more than 30 Malayalam films. Most of his songs were recorded by S. Janaki
and K. J. Yesudas
. He also holds the credit for introducing playback singer P. Jayachandran (in the film Kunjali Marakkar
). Most of his songs were penned by P. Bhaskaran. His association with Vayalar
, which began in Kottayam Kolakase has also spawned numerous hit songs. His last work was Aramanaveedum Anjoorekkarum (1996), which he composed along with his son Rajamani. Apart from film songs, he also composed a few devotional songs and krirtis. He had also worked as a music professor in Anna University
for a short period. He was honoured with the Kalaimamani
award by the Tamil Nadu
government. He died on 31 August 2007.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film score composer and musician who worked mainly in Malayalam films
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...
.
Biography
Hailing from a family of reputed musicians from Bhoothapandi, Nagercoil district, Chidambaranath took early lessons in mridangam and Carnatic vocalCarnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
from his father, B. K. Arunachalam Annavi. He also took training for sometime under Muttiah Bhagavathar and used to play mridangam for him at his concerts. He then learnt the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
first under Nagamani Marthanda Nadar and then for seven years under the Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai. Chidmabranath was noticed by music director C. N. Pandurangan, when he was playing violin at a concert of M. M. Dandapani Desikar.
His film career began in 1948 when he assisited Pandurangan for the Tamil films Gokuladasi and Jnanasoundari. He debuted in Malayalam with Vellinakshathram
Vellinakshatram (1949 film)
Vellinakshatram is a 1949 Malayalam film directed by Felix J. Beyse. It was the first film produced at the Udaya Studios. Its music is composed by B. A. Chidambaranath, who debuted with this film...
, the first film of Udaya Studios
Udaya Studios
Udaya Studios is the oldest film production studio in the Malayalam language film industry of India. It was established in 1947 by director-producer Kunchacko and film distributor K. V. Koshy in Pathirappally, Alappuzha in Kerala...
. He had also scored a Sinhalese film before his entry into Malayalam. After scoring the film Sthree (1950), his third film as a composer, Chidambaranath took a sabaticcal and did not contribute to film music for 14 years. He joined All India Radio
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
and worked for their musical productions and conducted his own concerts during this time. It was P. Bhaskaran
P. Bhaskaran
Pulloottupadathu Bhaskara Menon , better known as P. Bhaskaran, was a famous Malayalam poet and lyricist of Malayalam film songs. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed 44 Malayalam feature films and 3 documentaries, produced 6 feature films and acted in several movies...
who brought him back to film scoring. It was during this phase, which saw him score the music for 14 films, beginning with Rajamalli (1964), that Chidambaranath made his presence felt. His magnum opus Murappennu
Murappennu
Murappennu is a 1965 Malayalam film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, directed by A. Vincent and produced by Shobhana Parameswaran Nair in the banner of Roopavani. It marked the entry of M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the noted Malayalam novelist to Malayalam cinema. The film's story is based on Snehathinte...
was released in 1965. Songs like "Karayunno Puzha Chirikkunno" and "Kadavathu Thoniyaduthappol", both from this film, are considered his master pieces. With that film, he established himself as one of the leading composers and went on to score some of the major films and hit songs in the late '60s and '70s. He has scored music for more than 30 Malayalam films. Most of his songs were recorded by S. Janaki
S. Janaki
S. Janaki is an Indian female playback singer. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has won four National Film Awards and 35...
and K. J. Yesudas
K. J. Yesudas
Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian classical musician and playback singer.Yesudas sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. He has recorded more than 50,000 songs in many languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Punjabi,...
. He also holds the credit for introducing playback singer P. Jayachandran (in the film Kunjali Marakkar
Kunjali Marakkar (film)
Kunjali Maraikkar is a 1968 Malayalam language historical film directed by S. S. Rajan and starring Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the title role as one of the Kunjali Maraikkar, the naval chiefs of Samoothiri. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam....
). Most of his songs were penned by P. Bhaskaran. His association with Vayalar
Vayalar Ramavarma
Vayalar Ramavarma , often known as Vayalar, was a modern Malayalam poet and lyricist. His famous works include Sargasangeetham, Mulankaadu, Padamudrakal, Aayisha, Oru Judas janikkunnu.-Biography:...
, which began in Kottayam Kolakase has also spawned numerous hit songs. His last work was Aramanaveedum Anjoorekkarum (1996), which he composed along with his son Rajamani. Apart from film songs, he also composed a few devotional songs and krirtis. He had also worked as a music professor in Anna University
Anna University
Anna University was a premier technical university in Tamil Nadu, India. Anna University was formed on September 4, 1978, as a unitary university that integrated four technical institutions in the city of Chennai , including the College of Engineering, Guindy, Alagappa College of Technology,...
for a short period. He was honoured with the Kalaimamani
Kalaimamani
The Kalaimamani is an award in Tamil Nadu state, India. These awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram for excellence in the field of art and literature....
award by the Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
government. He died on 31 August 2007.
Selected filmography
- VellinakshathramVellinakshatram (1949 film)Vellinakshatram is a 1949 Malayalam film directed by Felix J. Beyse. It was the first film produced at the Udaya Studios. Its music is composed by B. A. Chidambaranath, who debuted with this film...
- MurappennuMurappennuMurappennu is a 1965 Malayalam film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, directed by A. Vincent and produced by Shobhana Parameswaran Nair in the banner of Roopavani. It marked the entry of M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the noted Malayalam novelist to Malayalam cinema. The film's story is based on Snehathinte...
- Station MasterStation masterThe station master was the person in charge of railway stations, in the United Kingdom and some other countries, before the modern age. He would manage the other station employees and would have responsibility for safety and the efficient running of the station...
- Pakalkkinavu
- Kayamkulam KochunniKayamkulam KochunniKochunni was a famed Highwayman based in Kayamkulam, active in Central Travancore, India, in early 19th century. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor . He had his intimate friend Ithikkarappakki from Ithikkara village on the shore of Ithikkara River...
- Kallipennu
- Kunjali MarakkarKunjali Marakkar (film)Kunjali Maraikkar is a 1968 Malayalam language historical film directed by S. S. Rajan and starring Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the title role as one of the Kunjali Maraikkar, the naval chiefs of Samoothiri. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam....
- Kottayam Kolakase
- Post Man
- Kaanaatha Veshangal
- Sahadharmini
- Maadatharuvi
- Paavappettaval
- N. G. O.
- Chekuthante Kotta
- Viruthan ShankuViruthan ShankuViruthan Shanku is a 1968 Malayalam comedy film directed by P. Venu, starring Adoor Bhasi and Ambika in the lead roles.-Plot:Viruthan Shanku is the story of Vikraman and how he tricks people and steals their valuables in a comic way and also how he wins the heart of Kunjikkavu .The film starts...
- Janmabhoomi
- Aaryankavu KollasangamAaryankavu KollasangamAaryankavu Kollasangam is a 1969 Malayalam language film. Directed by R. Velappan Nair, it was released on January 1, 1969....
- Rahsiyam
- Chattambikkavala
- Kalippava
- Aramanaveedum Anjoorekkarum
External links
- http://malayalasangeetham.info/php/displayProfile.php?category=musician&artist=BA Chidambaranath