Dakshinamurthy, V. (b. 1919)

Malayalam film music director and composer, born in Alleppey, Kerala. Regarded as a ‘classicist’. Concert singer in 50s/60s. Trained by Venkatachalam Potti; practised at the Vaikom temple. At their best, his Carnatic- inspired scores are deceptively simple (e.g. when putting G. Sankara Kurup’s lyrics to music), trying to adapt the recitative rhythms to given raga patterns. Nearly all his work is raga- based, notably in Khamboji, Sahana (e.g. the musical leitmotif in Kavya Mela), Todi and Charukesi. His compositions are a major influence on singers P. Leela and Vasanthakokila. Credits after 1978 and for films other than Malayalam are likely to be incomplete. FILMOGRAPHY: 1950: Chandrika (with Govindarajulu Naidu); Nallathanka; 1951: Jeevitha Nauka; Navalokam; 1952: Amma; 1953: Velaikkaran; Lokaneethi; Sario Thetto; Asha Deepam; 1954: Avan Varunnu; Snehaseema; 1955: Kidappadam; 1956: Atmarpanam; 1959: Nadodikal; 1960: Seeta; 1961: Umminithanka; Gnana Sundari; 1962: Veluthampi Dalawa; Sreekovil; Vidhithanna Vilakku; Viyarppinte Vila; 1963: Satyabhama; Sushila; Chilampoli; 1964: Devalayam; Shri Guruvayoorappan; Bharthavu; (with Baburaj); 1965: Inapravugal; Kavya Mela; 1966: Pinchu Hridayam; Kadamattathachan; 1967: Indulekha; Lady Doctor; Mainatharuvi Kola Case; Cochin Express; 1968: Padunna Puzha; Adhyapika; Bharyamar Sukshikuka; 1969: Kannur Deluxe; Poojapushpam; Danger Biscuit; 1970: Kalpana; Stree; Ezhuthatha Katha; Kuttavali; Lottery Ticket; Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha; Palunku Pathram; 1971: Muthassi; Marunattil Oru Malayali; Achante Bharya; 1972: Maya; Manushya Bandhangal; Nadan Premam; Shri Guruvayoorappan; Nrithyasala; Putrakameshti; Shakti; Sathi; Brahmachari; 1973: Football Champion; Udayam; Veendum Prabhatam; Police Ariyaruthu; Urvashi Bharathi; Driksakshi;Sastram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu; Interview; Poyi Mukhangal; 1974: Alakal; Night Duty; Aswathi; Bhugolam Thiriyunnu; Thacholi Marumagan Chandu; Sapta Swarangal; Arakallan Mukkal Kallan; Yauvanam; 1975: Chumadu Thangi; Mattoru Seeta; Sammanam; Sathyathinde Nizhalil; 1976: Neelasari; Prasadam; Priyamvadha; Sexilla Stuntilla; Srimadh Bhagavad Geeta; Thulavarsham (with Salil Choudhury); Thuruppu Gulam; Vazhi Vilakku; Oru Udhappu Kann Simittukirathu; 1977: Nanda Enn Nilla; Jagadguru Adi Shankaran; Kaduvaye Pidicha Kiduva; Makam Piranna Manka; Muttathe Mulla; Niraparayum Nilavilakkum; Shri Chottanikkara Bhagavathi; Thalappoli; 1978: Ashtamudikayal; Ashokavanam; Kalpa Vruksha; Kanalkkattakal; Kudumbam Namakku Sreekovil; Manoratham; Ninakku Jnanum Enikku Neeyum; Prarthana; Prema Shilpi; 1979: Jimmy; Kannukal; Kathirmandapam; Manushiyan; Oru Koyil Eru Deepangal; 1980: Ambala Vilakku; Bhakta Hanuman; 1981: Ampal Poovu; Arikkari Ammu; Ellam Ninakku Vendi; Pathiya Suryan; Sambhavam; 1982: Ente Mohanangal Poovaninju; Priyasakhi Radha; 1984: Guruvayoor Mahatmiyam; Krishna Guruvayoorappa; 1985: Madhu Vidhurathri; Navadakku Paniyedukku; 1987: Idanazhiyil Oru Kalocha; 1989: Season.

Music