Raveendran
Encyclopedia
M. Raveendran fondly called as "Raveendran Master" was a popular South India
n music composer and Playback singer
from Kerala
. He was always referred to as the aristocratic music director of Malayalam who had a distinctive style of his own. He composed more than 150 films primarily for the Malayalam
and Tamil
film industries. He also composed a few albums including Vasantha Geethangal.
in Kollam
in 9th November 1943, Raveendran joined the Swathi Thirunal College of Music
, Thiruvananthapuram
after completing his formal schooling. He learned music along with noted singer K.J. Yesudas. Poverty in the family did not present him any "colourful" days in his childhood. But he took those ‘dismal days’ positively and as a stepping stone for the hard days ahead in his career as a singer and musician
.
Kulathoopuzha Ravi (before changing his name to Raveendran) earlier had tested his vocal cords for 30 odd songs under various noted music directors including Baburaj. But he could not go on with the singer tag for long. Lack of opportunities in the field made him a dubbing
artist and a singer in an orchestra
troop. Then he turned to scoring music
.
He has composed many soulful melodies. He started his career as a playback singer in the 1970s and evolved as one of the foremost music directors in South India
, composing about 1,500 songs in 450 films, in addition to a number of light music and devotional albums.
The famous playback singer K. J. Yesudas
, a former classmate, altered the course of Raveendran's life by persuading him to compose songs and thus he become a music director.
Director J. Sasikumar, commissioned Raveendran to score the music for Choola (1979). The song "Tharake Mizhiyithalil Kannerumayi…", sung by Yesudas, became a superhit. Ever since that time, Raveendran ruled the roost of Malayalam film music with several super-hit songs.
Melody incorporated with the aspects of Carnatic music were the hallmark of his songs. By the release of Thenum Vayambum
(1981), Raveendran made his mark in the film field. The songs, "Thenum Vayambum…", "Ottakkambi Naadam…", "Pramadhavanam
" are still highly sought-after songs for Malayalees.
A few among Raveendran's best songs were in films like Thenum Vayambum
, Amaram
, His Highness Abdullah
, Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu’, Nandanam
, Rajashilpi, Bharatham
, Aaram Thamburan
etc. Especially the song "Pramadhavanam Veendum
" from the movie His Highness Abdullah and "Harimuraleeravam" from Aram Thampuran were one of the most adored songs of that time. He shared a close relationship with actor Mohanlal
.
Raveendran has composed many soulful melodies in the 1970s and evolved as one of the foremost music directors in the South India, composing about 800 songs in 150 films, in addition to a number of light music and devotional albums. His last composition was Kalabham.
For list of Albums by Raveendran, see : Raveendran discography-Studio Albums.
sons Rajan Madhav, a film director and Sajan Madhav, a music composer in Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films.
He died in Chennai
following a cardiac arrest
on 3 March 2005. He was also suffering from cancer
. His last work Vadakkumnadhan was released posthumously.
Books about Raveendran -
1) Raveendra Sangeetham : by M D Manoj, Olive Publishers on 2010 May.
2) Raveendra sangeetham Kelkatha ragangal : by Shobha(Raveendran Master's wife), on 2011
:
Kerala State Film Awards:
Asianet Film Awards
:
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
n music composer and Playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
from Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. He was always referred to as the aristocratic music director of Malayalam who had a distinctive style of his own. He composed more than 150 films primarily for the Malayalam
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...
and Tamil
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
film industries. He also composed a few albums including Vasantha Geethangal.
Early life
Born in KulathupuzhaKulathupuzha
Kulathupuzha is a village in the Kollam district of Kerala state, India. This town is situated on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road. Kulathupuzha is 62 km away from Thiruvananthapuram and 64 km away from Kollam....
in Kollam
Kollam
Kollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
in 9th November 1943, Raveendran joined the Swathi Thirunal College of Music
Swathi Thirunal College of Music
Swathi Thirunal College of Music is a music college in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1939. It was first named as "The Music Academy. The name was renamed as Swathi Thirunal College of Music in 1962. The founder of this institution was L. Muttayyah Bhagavathar.The primary...
, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
after completing his formal schooling. He learned music along with noted singer K.J. Yesudas. Poverty in the family did not present him any "colourful" days in his childhood. But he took those ‘dismal days’ positively and as a stepping stone for the hard days ahead in his career as a singer and musician
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Kulathoopuzha Ravi (before changing his name to Raveendran) earlier had tested his vocal cords for 30 odd songs under various noted music directors including Baburaj. But he could not go on with the singer tag for long. Lack of opportunities in the field made him a dubbing
Dubbing (music)
In sound recording, dubbing is the transfer or copying of previously recorded audio material from one medium to another of the same or a different type. It may be done with a machine designed for this purpose, or by connecting two different machines: one to play back and one to record the signal...
artist and a singer in an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
troop. Then he turned to scoring music
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
.
He has composed many soulful melodies. He started his career as a playback singer in the 1970s and evolved as one of the foremost music directors in South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
, composing about 1,500 songs in 450 films, in addition to a number of light music and devotional albums.
Musical career
He began his career as a playback singer through the song "Parvanarajanithan" from a Malayalam film, Velliyazhcha. He then became a master and assosciated with many Malayalam composers. He also dubbed voices for films during this time.The famous playback singer 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,...
, a former classmate, altered the course of Raveendran's life by persuading him to compose songs and thus he become a music director.
Director J. Sasikumar, commissioned Raveendran to score the music for Choola (1979). The song "Tharake Mizhiyithalil Kannerumayi…", sung by Yesudas, became a superhit. Ever since that time, Raveendran ruled the roost of Malayalam film music with several super-hit songs.
Melody incorporated with the aspects of Carnatic music were the hallmark of his songs. By the release of Thenum Vayambum
Thenum Vayambum
Thenum Vayambum is a 1981 Malayalam film directed by Ashok Kumar, strarring Prem Nazir, Rani Padmini, Sumalatha and Mohanlal.-Cast:-Soundtrack:The soundtrack for the film was composed by Raveendran with the lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala....
(1981), Raveendran made his mark in the film field. The songs, "Thenum Vayambum…", "Ottakkambi Naadam…", "Pramadhavanam
Pramadhavanam
Pramadavanam is a song composed by music director Raveendran as a part of the soundtrack for the 1990 Malayalam film His Highness Abdullah. This song, composed in Hindustani Raga, Jog is one of the most famous compositions in the raga in South India which had the lyrics penned by Kaithapram...
" are still highly sought-after songs for Malayalees.
A few among Raveendran's best songs were in films like Thenum Vayambum
Thenum Vayambum
Thenum Vayambum is a 1981 Malayalam film directed by Ashok Kumar, strarring Prem Nazir, Rani Padmini, Sumalatha and Mohanlal.-Cast:-Soundtrack:The soundtrack for the film was composed by Raveendran with the lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala....
, Amaram
Amaram
Amaram is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by A. K. Lohithadas, starring Mammootty, Murali, Maathu, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Balan K. Nair, Ashokan, Chitra, and Kuthiravattam Pappu in the main roles. The film score is composed by Johnson while the songs are by Raveendran.The...
, His Highness Abdullah
His Highness Abdullah
His Highness Abdullah is a musical Malayalam film released in 1990, written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil; featuring Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Gauthami, Sreenivasan and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. It was produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts...
, Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu’, Nandanam
Nandanam (film)
Nandanam is a 2002 Malayalam film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith, starring Navya Nair and Prithviraj along with Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Revathi, and Aravindar. Singer K. J. Yesudas made a cameo appearance in the film. The music is composed by Raveendran.-Plot:An orphaned girl and...
, Rajashilpi, Bharatham
Bharatham
Bharatham is a 1991 musical/drama Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil, produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts and starring Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu and Lakshmi. The film is especially known for its music that is largely Carnatic Classical and Semi Classical...
, Aaram Thamburan
Aaram Thamburan
Aaraam Thampuran is a 1997 Malayalam film written by Ranjith, directed by Shaji Kailas, and starring Mohanlal, Narendra Prasad, and Manju Warrier in the lead roles...
etc. Especially the song "Pramadhavanam Veendum
Pramadhavanam
Pramadavanam is a song composed by music director Raveendran as a part of the soundtrack for the 1990 Malayalam film His Highness Abdullah. This song, composed in Hindustani Raga, Jog is one of the most famous compositions in the raga in South India which had the lyrics penned by Kaithapram...
" from the movie His Highness Abdullah and "Harimuraleeravam" from Aram Thampuran were one of the most adored songs of that time. He shared a close relationship with actor Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
.
Raveendran has composed many soulful melodies in the 1970s and evolved as one of the foremost music directors in the South India, composing about 800 songs in 150 films, in addition to a number of light music and devotional albums. His last composition was Kalabham.
Non-Cinematic Albums
Some of his light music albums and devotional albums, which were most popular in the 1980's and 1990's through All India Radio and Audio Cassettes were Ulsava Gaanangal(Festival songs) (1983,1985), Vasantha Geethangal (1984), Ponnona Tharangini (1992), Amme Saranam Devi Saranam (1994), Sarana Theertham (1997) etc.For list of Albums by Raveendran, see : Raveendran discography-Studio Albums.
Personal life
He was married to Shobha and has three sons. His eldest son Naveen Madhav is a playback singer in Tamil film and twinTwin
A twin is one of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy. Twins can either be monozygotic , meaning that they develop from one zygote that splits and forms two embryos, or dizygotic because they develop from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm.In contrast, a fetus...
sons Rajan Madhav, a film director and Sajan Madhav, a music composer in Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films.
He died in 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...
following a cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
on 3 March 2005. He was also suffering from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. His last work Vadakkumnadhan was released posthumously.
Books about Raveendran -
1) Raveendra Sangeetham : by M D Manoj, Olive Publishers on 2010 May.
2) Raveendra sangeetham Kelkatha ragangal : by Shobha(Raveendran Master's wife), on 2011
Selected discography
- Choola
- April 19
- Ente Tuition Teacher
- Chiriyo Chiri
- Prasnam Gurutharam
- Changatham
- Belt Mathai
- Attakalasam
- Manase Ninakku Mangalam
- Mainakam
- Geetham
- Marikunnilla Njan
- Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkkam
- Lal Salam
- Uncle Bun
- Neelakkadambu
- Kizhakkunarum Pakshi
- Kadinjool Kalyanam
- Ganamela
- Dhanam
- Soorya Gayathri
- Ayirappara
- Vishnu
- Arayannangalude Veedu
- Saivar Thirumeni
- Thenum VayambumThenum VayambumThenum Vayambum is a 1981 Malayalam film directed by Ashok Kumar, strarring Prem Nazir, Rani Padmini, Sumalatha and Mohanlal.-Cast:-Soundtrack:The soundtrack for the film was composed by Raveendran with the lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala....
- Kuttettan
- Yuvajanotsavam
- Thammil Thammil
- Rajasilpi
- Sukhamo Devi
- Kaliyil Alpam Karyam
- Tharattu
- Deshadanakkili Karayarilla
- Aye Auto
- Aham
- Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary
- Oru May Masa Pulariyil
- His Highness Abdullah
- Chambakkulam Thachan
- Thachiledathu Chundan
- Abhimanyu
- Amaram
- Bharatham
- Kamaladalam
- Mazha
- Kanmadam
- Venkalam
- Mazhayethum Munpe
- Ayal Kathayezhuthukayanu
- Greetings
- Aaram Thamburan
- Pallavur Devanarayanan
- Nandanam
- Mizhi Randilum
- Vadakkumnathan
- Kalabham
As a playback singer
See Article: Raveendran Discography as a Playback SingerMajor awards
National Film AwardsNational 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...
:
- 1992 - Special Jury Award - BharathamBharathamBharatham is a 1991 musical/drama Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil, produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts and starring Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu and Lakshmi. The film is especially known for its music that is largely Carnatic Classical and Semi Classical...
Kerala State Film Awards:
- 1991 - Best Music DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best Music DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director winners:-Trivia:* In 1994, G. Devarajan returned all the awards won by him in protest against the jury who selected Berny-Ignatious for that year's award. According to Devarajan, none of the songs composed by the duo for Thenmavin Kombath were...
- BharathamBharathamBharatham is a 1991 musical/drama Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil, produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts and starring Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu and Lakshmi. The film is especially known for its music that is largely Carnatic Classical and Semi Classical... - 2002 - Best Music DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best Music DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director winners:-Trivia:* In 1994, G. Devarajan returned all the awards won by him in protest against the jury who selected Berny-Ignatious for that year's award. According to Devarajan, none of the songs composed by the duo for Thenmavin Kombath were...
- NandanamNandanam (film)Nandanam is a 2002 Malayalam film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith, starring Navya Nair and Prithviraj along with Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Revathi, and Aravindar. Singer K. J. Yesudas made a cameo appearance in the film. The music is composed by Raveendran.-Plot:An orphaned girl and...
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...
:
- 2006 - Best Music Director Award -Vadakumnadan
Notable songs
- Tharake Mizhiyithalil ( Choola)
- Thengum hrudayam... (Aattakkalasham)
- Harimuraleeravam (Aaramthampuran)
- Pramadhavanam Veendum...PramadhavanamPramadavanam is a song composed by music director Raveendran as a part of the soundtrack for the 1990 Malayalam film His Highness Abdullah. This song, composed in Hindustani Raga, Jog is one of the most famous compositions in the raga in South India which had the lyrics penned by Kaithapram...
(His Highness Abdulla) - Sree Lathikakal & Sukamo devi...(Sukhamo Devi)
- Gopangane... (Bharatham)
- Ramakatha... (Bharatham)
- Ezhuswarangalum thazhukivarum...(Chirio chiri)
- Pularkala Sundara Swapnathil..........(Oru Maymasa pulariyil)
- Azhake...(Amaram)
- Vikara Naukayumai...(Amaram)
- Kandu njan mizhikalil...(Abhimanyu)
- Vanambaadi etho theerangal...(Desadanakili Karayaarilla)
- Thenum vayambum...(Thenum vayambum)
- Madhumasa Ponnila Choodi...(Kuttettan)
- Innumente Kannuneeril...(Yuvajanotsavam)
- Puzhayorazhakullapennu... (Ente Nadinikkuttikku)
- Hridayam oru veenayai...(Thammil Thammil)
- Aalila Manjalil...(Surya gayathri)
- Kalabham tharaam...(Vadakkum nathan)
- Enthinu Veroru Sooryodayam...(Mazhayethum munpea)
- Ragangale...(Tharattu)
- Manja Kiliyude...(Kanmadam)
- Manathaaril Ennum...(Kaliyil Alpam Kaaryam)
- Etho Nidrathan...(Ayaal Kathayezhuthukayaanu)
- Moovanthi thazhvarayil...(Kanmadam)
- Vaarmukile vaanil...... (Mazha)
- Kaarmukil varnante.....(Nandanam)
- deenadayau... (Arayannangalude Veedu)
- Thalam Thettiya... (Thalam Thettiya Tharattu)
- Poovinullil Poo Viriyum (Tharattu)
- Olikkunnuvo Mizhikkumbilil....(Chambakkulam Thachan)
- Devasandhya Gopurathil.... (Kalabham)
- Deepam Deepam... (Neelakkadambu)
- Kudajaadriyil Kudikollum
- Ganga...... (Vadakkumnathan)
- Sindhura sandhyyakku Mownam (Choola)
Related Articles
- Complete Discography of Raveendran
- Music of KeralaMusic of KeralaThe Music of Kerala has a long and rich history.It is not the same as malayalam poetry although most of it is poetry driven. Kerala has a rich tradition in Carnatic music.Songs formed a major part of early Malayalam literature, which traces its origin to the 9th century CE...
- Cinema of Kerala