Paravur Devarajan

Prolific 60s and 70s Malayalam film composer. Established reputation with songs for plays of the left Kerala Peoples’ Arts Club (see IPTA), esp. the O.N.V. Kurup? lyric sung by K.S. George and Sulochana invoking the graves of the Communist rebels of Punnapra-Vyalar (1946), set to a militant rendition of the raga Hamsadhwani. Extensively associated with Vyalar Rama Varma?’s lyrics. Like Dakshinamurthy?, was trained in classical Carnatic music but, unlike him, often borrowed extensively from folk influences. Early scores in Puttanna Kanagal’s Malayalam films (School Master, Kalanjukuttiya Thangam); broke through with Sethumadhavan’s 60s films, remaining his regular composer for several years (e.g. Odeyil Ninnu, Daham, Adimagal, Aranazhikaneram). Worked on several major Vincent? films including Ashwamedham, Thulabharam and Nadhi. In the 70s, was associated with independent breakthroughs including Menon?’s Kabani? Nadi Chuvannappol? and Backer?’s work (e.g. Charam), while simultaneously working on I.V. Sasi’s mainstream productions. Composed Aravindan?’s Chidambaram as well. Reputedly the first composer in Malayalam film to make sense of the non-verbal background score, with a bias for violin effects.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1955: Kalam Marunnu; 1958: Chadarangam; 1962: Bharya; 1963: Nithya Kanyaka; Doctor; Kadalamma; 1964: Anna; School Master; Manavatti; Omanakuttan; Kalanjukuttiya Thangam; 1965: Odeyil Ninnu; Kaliyodam; Kattupookal; Kathiruna Nikkah; Daham; Shakuntala; Pattu Thoovala; 1966: Kalithozhen; Rowdy; Jail; Kalyana Rathriyil; Kanmanikal; Karuna; Tilottama; 1967: Swapnabhoomi; Sheelavati; Arakillam; Aval; Ashwamedham; Chitramela; Pooja; Kavalam Chundan; Nadan Pennu; Kasavuthattam; 1968: Viplavakarikal; Thokkukal Katha Parayunnu; Hotel Highrange; Yakshi; Thulabharam; Velutha Kathrina; Agni Pareeksha; 1969: Anashchadanam; Padicha Kallan; Veetu Mrugham; Kattukurangu; Susie; Adimagal; Urangatha Sundari; Kadalpalam; Mooladhanam; Jwala; Nadhi; Kootu Kudumbam; Kumara Sambhavam; 1970: Mindapennu; Nishagandhi; Vazhve Mayam; Dattuputhran; Othenente Makan; Abhayam (with Salil Choudhury); Ningalenne Communistaki; Vivahitha; Nilakatha Chalanangal; Swapnangal; A Chitrashalabham Paranotte; Triveni; Tara; Aranazhikaneram; Pearl View; 1971: Shiksha; Oru Penninte Katha; Thettu; Kalithozhi; Inquilab Zindabad; Sarasayya; Karakanakadal; Line Bus; Puthanveedu; Avalalppam Vaikippoi; Sindooracheppu; Anubhavangal Palichakal; 1972: Mayiladum Kunnu; Devi; Professor; Aromalunni; Omana; Chemparathi; Achannum Bappayum; Akkarapacha; Oru Sundariyude Katha; Punarjanmam; Maraivil Thiruvu Sukshikuha; Gandharvakshetram; Postmane Kananilla; Chhayam; Maram; 1973: Enippadikal; Kalachakram; Ponnapuram Kotta; Gayatri; Manushya Puthran; Thani Niram; Darshanam; Achani; Thenaruvi; Pavangal Pennungal; Nakhangal; Dharma Yuddham; Prethangalude Thazhvara; Chukku; Madhavikutty; Swargaputhri; Angathattu; Masappadi Mathupilla; Kaliyugam; Chenda; Vijaya; 1974: Chattakkari; Paruvakalam; Shapamoksham; Suprabhatam; Panchatanthram; Durga; Setu Bandhanam; Neela Kannukal; Nagaram Sagaram; Thumbolarcha; Devi Kanyakumari; Thangachi Kalyanam. Raja Hamsam; Vishnu Vijayam; Bhoomidevi Thampan; Vilakkum Velichavum; Yeetta; 1979: Sanghaganam; Allavudeenum Albutha Velakkum/Allavudeenum? Arputha Vilakkum/ Alladdin and the Wonderful Lamp; Anubhavangale Nandi; Iniyethra Sandhyakal; Hridayathinte Nirangal; Lahari; Manavadharmam; Manninte Maril; Mochanam; Nilathamara; Ormayil Nee Mathram; Sharapanjaram; Thirayum Thiravum; Veerabhadran; Vellayanni Paramu; Ward No. 7; 1980: Akalangalil Abhayam; Chakara; Chora Chuvanna Chora; Digvijayam; Evar; Ishtamanu Pakshe; Kalika; Lava; Meen; Nattuchakkiruttu; Palattu Kunjikannan; Pavizha Muthu; Prakatanam; Rajanigandhi; Salini Ente Kuttukari; Suryadaham; Swathu; 1981: Ira Thedunna Manushyan; Kathayariyathe; Maniyan Pillai Athava Maniyan Pillai; Nidra; Parankimala; Swarangal Swapnangal; Thalam Manasinte Thalam; Theekali; Vayal; Charam; 1982: Amritha Geetham; Angachamayam; Asthi; Keni; Madrasille Mohan; Odukkam Thudakkam; Swapname Ninakku Nandi; Veedu; 1983: Eetapuli; Himavahini; Kattaruvi; Oru Madaupravinte Katha; Thimingalam; Kodugal Illatha Kolam; Pudhiya Varavu; Villainpur Matha; 1984: Ningalil Oru Stree; Poomadathu Pennu; Vellom; Vikatakavi; 1985: Ee Thalamura Inganna; Kochuthemmadi; Shri Narayana Guru; Chidambaram; 1987: Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham; Thoranam; 1988: Innaleyude Baaki; 1989: Utsavapittennu; Pushpiniyayi; Atithi; Mazhakkaru; 1975: Alibaba and Forty-One Thieves; Ayodhya; Bharya Illatha Rathri; Boy Friend; Chalanam; Chuvanna Sandhyakal; Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol; Kottaram Vilakkanundu; Makkal; Manishada; Mucheettu Kalikarante Magal; Palazhi Madhanam; Priyamulla Sophia; Swami Ayyappan; Antharangam; 1976: Kumara Vijayam; Amba Ambika Ambalika; Ammini Ammavan; Anavaranam; Aruthu; Ayalakkari; Colonel and Collector; Hridayam Oru Kshetram; Manimuzhakkum; Missi; Mohini Attam; Nee Ente Lahari; Nurayum Pathayum; Panchamrutham; Ponn; Rathriyile Yatrakar; Romeo; Sarvekkalu; Udyanalakshmi; Vanadevatha; Chuvanna Vithukal; 1977: A Nimisham; Acharam Ammini Osaram Omana; Agni Nakshatram; Akale Akasam; Anandam Paramanandam; Anjali; Chakravarthini; Chaturvedam; Guruvayoor Kesavan; Innale Innu; Itha Ivide Vare; Karnaparvam; Kavilamma; Lakshmi; Minimol; Nalumani Pookkal; Needhi Peedham; Oonjal; Pennpuli; Rajani; Rendu Lokam; Rowdy Rajamma; Saghakkale Munottu; Samudram; Satyavan Savithri; Shri Murugan; Sridevi; Varadakshina; Veedu Oru Swargam; Vidarunna Mottugal; Aniyara; 1978: Nakshatrangale Kaval; Anappachan; Aazhi Alayazhi; Adimakachavadam; Amarsham; Ammuvinte Atinkutty; Avalakku Maranamilla; Avar Jeevikkunu; Ee Manohara Theeram; Jnan Jnan Mathram; Iniyum Puzha Ozhukum; Kadathanattu Maakkam; Mudra Mothiram; Nivedyam; Padasaram; Rappadigalude Gatha; Rajan Paranja Katha; Rathi Nirvedham; Satrathil Oru Rathri; Snehikkan Oru Pennu; Thampuratti; Tharu Oru Janmam Koodi; Vadagaikku Oru Hridayam; Vayanadan

Music