Balu Kiriyath

Balu Kiriyath Biography

Balu Kiriyath is a cine artist associated with Malayalam film industry, known as a director, screenwriter and lyricist. He has also held many administrative positions within different government organizations related to Kerala art and cinema, and is a very influential figure who served as a Jury member of much art and film festivals organized in Kerala. He served as the director of Kerala state Film Development Corporation for long 10 years. He was also an executive member of the prestigious Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Thrissur. He had a stint with politics during his younger days.

Balu Kiriyath hails from Aluva of Ernakulam district. He was born on 29 November 1954. Both his parents were teachers. His father R. S. Pillai retired as Principal of Indian institute of commerce, and his mother C. P. Malathy Amma retired as teacher from Government central high school, Thiruvananthapuram. Balu is a cousin of popular poet and lyricist, Bichu Thirumala. He is married to Lakshmi Kiriyath, and the couple has two kids. His association with arts and cinema began in the early 1980s.

As a film director he marked his debut with 1981 film, Thakilu Kottampuram, starring Prem Nazir, Sheela, Mohanlal and Jagathy Sreekumar. He also penned lyrics for all its 5 songs sung by Yesudas and Susheela. The movie flopped at box office. His second film Visa starring Mohanlal and Mammootty ran 100 days at theatres and was declared a hit. His cousin Bichu Thirumala penned lyrics for this movie. He continued making family dramas for Malayalam film audience throughout 1980s, and wrote screenplays for his movies too. Onnum Mindatha Bharya, Paavam Poornima, Vendor Daniel State Licency, Moonnu Kodiyum 300 Pavanum, King Solomon, Mimics Action 500, Kalamasseriyil Kalyaanayogam and Kalyaanji Aanandji are some of the releases later.

Published: September 17, 2018

Updated: September 17, 2018