P. Bhaskaran
Encyclopedia
Pulloottupadathu Bhaskara Menon (21 April 1924 – 25 February 2007), 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. For his overall contributions to Malayalam cinema, he was awarded J.C.Daniel Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Kerala.
He was also a journalist and an All India Radio
employee before becoming active in the film industry. He was well-known for simple but beautiful use of the language in his songs and poems.
, Thrissur
. His father, Nandyelathu Padmanabha Menon was a poet, lawyer, journalist and Indian freedom fighter. His mother was Pulloottupadathu Ammalu Amma. He is survived by his wife,Indira and four children. Having inherited his father’s talent, he started to write poems when he was studying in 7th standard. He fell in love with literature and communism when he was studying in Maharajas College
, Eranakulam. He used to write poems in a local magazine. For taking part in the August Struggle, he was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. After getting released, he went to Kozhikode
and joined Deshabhimani Weekly.
. His first poem collection was released in the title Villali. During the Communist Rebellion in Punnapra-Vayalar
, he wrote a song titled Vayalar Garjikkunnu (Vayalar roaring) in the penname Ravi. The song, starting with the lines Uyarum Njan Nadake... rose to legendary stature in the days to come, during which the song was banned and he was expatriated from the (then) State of Travancore as per the orders of Dewan Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer. Then he went to Chennai
(then Madras) to join the editorial board of the Jayakeralam daily. He used to write songs for Akashavani
and that helped him to secure a job in Kozhikode Akashavani. In 1950’s, he got associated with the film industry. He quit his job in Akashavani and went to Chennai to start full-time film career. The lyrics for the famous theme song of malayalam channel Asianet
, starting Shyama Sundara was also written by him.
In 1954, Bhaskaran along with Ramu Kariat
directed the film Neelakkuyil. The movie is regarded as ushering in social realism
in Malayalam cinema. It got the President's Silver Medal, first ever national recognition for a Malayalam film. Bhaskaran's 'Neelakkuyil' lyrics are cherished to this day. He was also a renowned film director. His films Adyakiranangal (1964), Iruttinte Athmavu
(1969), and Thurakkatha Vathil (1971) went on to win National Film Awards
for various categories. He also acted in several films including Neelakkuyil. His most vibrant acting was arguably in the film Manoradham (1978), as a strict family head who has deep faith in astrology
. He also directed several documentaries including the award winning Vallathol.
Asianet Film Awards
Documentaries
Television
He was also a journalist and an 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...
employee before becoming active in the film industry. He was well-known for simple but beautiful use of the language in his songs and poems.
Early life
P. Bhaskaran was born on 21 April 1924 in KodungallurKodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
, Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
. His father, Nandyelathu Padmanabha Menon was a poet, lawyer, journalist and Indian freedom fighter. His mother was Pulloottupadathu Ammalu Amma. He is survived by his wife,Indira and four children. Having inherited his father’s talent, he started to write poems when he was studying in 7th standard. He fell in love with literature and communism when he was studying in Maharajas College
Maharajas College
The Maharaja's College is one of the biggest centres of learning and higher education in Kerala, India. Located in the heart of Cochin city, it is spread over a campus of on the banks of Vembanad Lake...
, Eranakulam. He used to write poems in a local magazine. For taking part in the August Struggle, he was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. After getting released, he went to Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
and joined Deshabhimani Weekly.
Non-Film Career
P. Bhaskaran started to write songs for communist stage performers. His powerful songs gave headaches to the rulers and anti-communists and were banned in the (then) State of TravancoreTravancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
. His first poem collection was released in the title Villali. During the Communist Rebellion in Punnapra-Vayalar
Punnapra-Vayalar uprising
The Punnapra-Vayalar uprising was a popular people's uprising in the Princely State of Travancore, British India against the Prime Minister, Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer and the state...
, he wrote a song titled Vayalar Garjikkunnu (Vayalar roaring) in the penname Ravi. The song, starting with the lines Uyarum Njan Nadake... rose to legendary stature in the days to come, during which the song was banned and he was expatriated from the (then) State of Travancore as per the orders of Dewan Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer. Then he went to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
(then Madras) to join the editorial board of the Jayakeralam daily. He used to write songs for Akashavani
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 that helped him to secure a job in Kozhikode Akashavani. In 1950’s, he got associated with the film industry. He quit his job in Akashavani and went to Chennai to start full-time film career. The lyrics for the famous theme song of malayalam channel Asianet
Asianet
Asianet Communications Limited is an Indian media conglomerate jointly owned by STAR TV and Jupiter Entertainment. Formed in 1991 and headquartered in the city of Thiruvananthapuram in the south Indian state of Kerala, the company owns several television channels including Asianet, the first...
, starting Shyama Sundara was also written by him.
Film career
Interestingly, P. Bhaskaran’s debut as a lyricist was for a Tamil film. He wrote the Malayalam lines for a multi-linguistic song in film Apurva Sahodarangal (1949). The first Malayalam film song for which he wrote lyrics was "Madhumadhuri..." for the film Chandrika (1950).In 1954, Bhaskaran along with Ramu Kariat
Ramu Kariat
Ramu Kariat was a Malayali Indian film director for almost three decades from the 1950s to the 1970s. He directed many acclaimed films in Malayalam...
directed the film Neelakkuyil. The movie is regarded as ushering in social realism
Social realism
Social Realism, also known as Socio-Realism, is an artistic movement, expressed in the visual and other realist arts, which depicts social and racial injustice, economic hardship, through unvarnished pictures of life's struggles; often depicting working class activities as heroic...
in Malayalam cinema. It got the President's Silver Medal, first ever national recognition for a Malayalam film. Bhaskaran's 'Neelakkuyil' lyrics are cherished to this day. He was also a renowned film director. His films Adyakiranangal (1964), Iruttinte Athmavu
Iruttinte Athmavu
Iruttinte Athmavu is a 1967 Malayalam film directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his own story with the same name. It stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, P. J. Antony, Ushakumari, Kozhikode Shantha Devi and Baby Rajani in important roles, and...
(1969), and Thurakkatha Vathil (1971) went on to win National Film Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
for various categories. He also acted in several films including Neelakkuyil. His most vibrant acting was arguably in the film Manoradham (1978), as a strict family head who has deep faith in astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
. He also directed several documentaries including the award winning Vallathol.
Awards
Kerala State Film Awards:- 1970 – Best LyricistKerala State Film Award for Best LyricsThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics winners:-References:**...
– Sthree - 1985 – Best LyricistKerala State Film Award for Best LyricsThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics winners:-References:**...
- 1992 – Best LyricistKerala State Film Award for Best LyricsThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics winners:-References:**...
– Venkalam
- 1994 – Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime Achievement – J. C. DanielJ. C. DanielJ. C. Daniel was the first film-maker from Kerala, India. He produced, directed, wrote, photographed, edited and acted in the first film made in Kerala, named Vigathakumaran meaning the Lost Child. He also established the first film studio in Kerala, named The Travancore National Pictures. It was...
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of Kerala
Asianet Film Awards
Asianet Film Awards
The Asianet Film Awards is the most prominent award ceremony for Malayalam films presented annually by Asianet, a Malayalam-language television network from the south-Indian state of Kerala. The awards ceremony has been instituted to honour both artistic and technical excellence in the Malayalam...
- 1999 – Best Lifetime Achievement Award
Most popular film songs written
- Kayalarikathu... (Film: Neelakkuyil)
- Kuyiline thedi... (Film: Neelakkuyil)
- Ellarum chollanu... (Film: Neelakkuyil)
- Engane Nee Marakkum... (Film: Neelakkuyil)
- Thamasamenthe varuvaan... (Film: Bhargavi Nilayam)
- Hridayamuruki Nee Karayillenkil... (Film: Karutha Pournami)
- Innale Mayangumbol.. (Film: Anveshichu Kandethiyilla)
- Kattile Pazhmulam.. (Film: Vilakku Vangiya Veena)
- Alliyambal kadavil... (Film: Rosi)
- Anjanakkannezhuthi... (Film: Thacholi Othenan)
- Pranasakhi nhan... (Film: Pareeksha)
- Karayunno puzha chirikkunno... (Film: Murappennu)
- Innenikku pottu kuthan... (Film: Guruvayoor Kesavan)
- Karimukilkkattile... (Film: Kallichellamma)
- Manjani poonilavu... (Film : Nagarame Nandi)
- Pathuvelippinu......(Film :Vengalam)
- Dukhangalkkinnu Njaan... (Film:Ambalapravu)
- Vakacharthu... (Film:Iruttinte Athmavu)
- Swargagayike Ithile...(Film:Mooladhanam)
Filmography as Director and Producer
Feature Films- Neelakkuyil (with Ramu Karyat) (1954)
- Raarichan Enna Pouran (1956)
- Naayaru Pidicha Pulival (1958)
- Bhaagya Jathakom (1962)
- Laila Majnu (1962)
- Ammaye Kaanaan (1963)
- Aadya Kiranangal (1964)
- Shyamala Chechi (1965)
- Tharavattamma (1966)
- Anveshichu Kandethiyilla (1967)
- Iruttinte AthmavuIruttinte AthmavuIruttinte Athmavu is a 1967 Malayalam film directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his own story with the same name. It stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, P. J. Antony, Ushakumari, Kozhikode Shantha Devi and Baby Rajani in important roles, and...
(1967) - Pareeksha (1967)
- Laksha Prabhu (1968)
- Aparadhini (1968)
- Manaswini (1968)
- Kaattu Kurangu (1969)
- Kallichellamma (1969)
- Mooladhanam (1969)
- Ampalapravu (1970)
- Kaakkathampuratti (1970)
- Sthree (1970)
- Thurakaatha Vathil (1970)
- Kurukshethram (1970)
- Moonu Pookkal (1971)
- Muthassi (1971)
- Navavadhu (1971)
- UmmachuUmmachuUmmachu is a Malayalam novel written by Uroob in 1954. Ummachu along with Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum are considered the best works by Uroob and are ranked among the finest novels in Malayalam. In Ummachu, Uroob explores the ramifications of human relationships in a village.-Theme:Ummachu is a saga...
(1971) - Vilakku Vaangiya Veena (1971) (Producer & Director)
- Vithukal (1971)
- Aaradi Manninte Janmi (1972) (Producer & Director)
- Sneehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku (1972)
- Raakuyil (1973) (Only as Producer)
- Udayam (1973) (Producer & Director)
- Veendum Prabhatham (1973)
- Ara Kallan Mukkaal Kallan (1974)
- Oru Pidi Ari (1974)
- Thacholi Marumakan Chandu (1974) (Producer & Director)
- Chumadum Thangi (1975)
- Mattoru Seetha (1975)
- Appooppan (1976)
- Vazhivilakku (1976)
- Shreemadh Bhagavath Geetha (1977) (Producer & Director)
- Jagath Guru Adisankaracharya (1977) (Producer & Director)
- Vilakkum Velichavum (1978)
- Enikku Visakkunnu (1983)
Documentaries
- Guruvayoor Mahatmyam (1984)
- History of Malayalam Cinema −2 parts (1989)
- Vallathol (Year?)
Television
- Vaiki Vanna Vazhi (1990) (T. V. Film)
- Vaitharani (1991) (T.V. Serial)
See also
- List of Malayalam films from 1951 to 1960
- List of Malayalam films from 1961 to 1970
- List of Malayalam films from 1971 to 1975
- List of Malayalam films from 1976 to 1980
- List of Malayalam films from 1981 to 1985