K. Raghavan Biography 
K. Raghavan was one of the greatest music directors in the golden era of Malayalam cinema music. In 1954, when National award winning film, Neelakuyil was released, he became one of the well established names of Malayalam cinema. On October 19, 2013 he died at the age of 99, only a couple of months after V. Dakshinamoorthy, another great music composer of Malayalam died at the age of 93. Raghavan is remembered for great songs of Malayalam like Ellarum chollanu and Kaayalarikathu of Neelakuyil, Annu nine kandathil pinne of Unniyarcha, Unarunaroo unni poove of Ammaye kaanan, Kaanana chaayayil of Ramanan, Bharathamennal of Adya kiranagal, Manju bhaashini of Kodungallur amma, Karimukil of Kalli chellamma, Kaakka thampurathy title song, Ekantha pathikan of Ummaachu, Maanathe manimukil of Kannappanunni, title song of Maamankam and Arabi kadale of Surumayitta kannukal. He has also rendered his voice for a few songs of which ‘Kaayalarikku’ still remains as an exceptional song! He composed 400 memorable songs for Malayalam.
His big break to film industry happened through the milestone movie of Malayalam cinema – Neelakuyil. The songs are still regarded as one of the best of all time Malayalam compositions. He gave music to 9 songs for this movie. It was something like paving way to new style of compositions, freeing Malayalam from Tamil and Bollywood music. Theatre songs like ‘Paampukalkku maalamundu’ and ‘Thalaikku meethe soonyakasham’ also became equally popular during 1950’s. He has also composed numerous songs of Kozhikode Aakashvaani (AIR) and he worked there for quite a long time. He has also worked for Delhi and Chennai stations. He retired in the year 1976 as producer.
He was born in the year 1913, December 2 at Thalai of Thalaseery as the son of Krishnan and Kuppachi. He studied music under P. S. Narayana Iyyer. He turned to music when he was studying in third form (7th standard). He joined his father’s troupe who sang at ceremonies including wedding and death. His turning point was when he met P. Bhaskaran, one of the great names of Malayalam literature as well as cinema. His debut movie was Pullimaan in 1951. Then it was just history. Kozhikode Music Lovers’ Association along with Kozhikode Aakashvani had arranged his 100th birthday celebrations in Kozhikode, the place where he concentrated most for giving music. The celebrations were to conduct on December 2013, to make his birthday grand. Everything was Ok and great singers like Yesudas and Chitra were also invited. But he took his last breath only 45 days before his 100th birthday celebration.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 21, 2014
