Kannur Rajan Biography 
Kannur Rajan was a popular Malayalam film music composer, who contributed several nostalgic and evergreen classics to Malayalam music lovers. He predominantly worked in the era of 1980s. He composed the music of Chitram and Ninnishtam Ennishtam, Mohanlal movies of 1980s, still among Malayalam hits all time. Chitram is regarded as the best work of Kannur Rajan which includes melodious songs such as Doore Kizhakkudikkum, Paadam Poothakalam, Nagumo, and "Swaminaatha", composed on Indian ragas. Carnatic music singer Neyyattinkara Vasudevan rendered many songs for this movie. The movie established M. G. Sreekumar as a leading playback singer of Malayalam and he became the main voice of Mohanlal for many songs later. Ilam manjin kulirumai of Ninnishtam Ennishtam is another evergreen song.
He was born into a poor family in Edakkad village of Kannur district in the year 1937. Mister Sundary released in the year 1974 marked his career debut as an independent music director. Later he worked for more than 50 films in Malayalam industry and is best remembered for the work of Chitram – a trendsetter. According to Music Critic, Shaji Chennai, Kannur Rajan is the best music composer he came across. Though not regarded among the top 5 music directors of the present times, he had the ability to explore the intricacies of Hindustani music. Unfortunately, except a few, most of his films less ran in theatres. For the same reason many of his compositions went unnoticed.
Started his music journey in 1974, he spent more than two decades in Malayalam film industry. He passed away unexpectedly in 1995, aged 58 when he was busy with a Malayalam project. His last work, Vadhu Doctoranu (1994) marked the comeback of actress Nadiya Moidu to silver screen. Kadalponnu and Vardhakyapuranam were also released the same year. A few more noted works include – Akkare Ninnoru Maaran, Appunni, Choondakkari, Abhinandanam, Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki, Paara, Bharya Oru Manthri, Katturumbinu Kathukuthu, Ayiram Chirakulla Moham, Kanyakumariyil Oru kavitha etc.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 12, 2016
