ONV Kurup

ONV Kurup Biography

ONV Kurup is one among the leading poets of Malayalam literature who has won Jnanpith Award in the year in 2007 for his overall contributions to Malayalam literature. He is a well known professor, lyricist and prose writer as well. He is the most popular lyricist of Malayalam cinema since 80’s who has given unparallel contributions to music world in the form of ‘golden words’.

ONV Kurup was born in Chavara of Kollam district in the year 1931 as the son of O. N. Krishna Kurup and K. Lakshmikutty Amma. He lost his father when he was eight. He did his schooling at Government School, Chavara. From Sree NarayanaGuru College Kollam, he graduated with Economics degree. Then he went to Travancore University, now Kerala University Thiruvananthapuram and did Master’s degree in Malayalam. He was a professor in many colleges and retired in the year 1986.

O. N. V.'s first published poem was 'Munnottu' in the year 1946. His first collection of poems was published in the year 1949 - Porutunna Soundaryam. He has also published a book named Dahikunna Panapatram that consists of his early sets of poems. His most memorable works include – Valappottukal, Thonnyaksharangal, Bhairavante Thudi, Agni Shalabhangal, Bhumikku Oru Charama Geetham, Veruthe, Daahikunna Paanapaathram, Karutha Pakshiyude Paattu, Uppu, Marubhumi, Shaarngka Pakshikal, Aksharam, Mrigaya, Neelakkannukal, Oru Thulli Velicham, Aparahnam, Ujjayini, Swayamvaram and Oyenviyude Ganangal. His prose include - Kavitayile Samantara Rekhakal, Ezhuthachan - Oru Padanam, Pushkin - Swatantrya Bodhatinte Durantagatha, Kalpanikam, Patheyam and Kavitayile Pratisandhikal.

As a lyricist he his works are still regarded magic. Popular romantic songs like Arikil nee undayirunnenkil of Nee ethra danya, Aareyum bhava gayakanaakyum of Nakashatangal and Vaathil pazhuthiloode (title track) of Idanazhiyiloru kaalocha will always remain evergreen in the music lovers’ hearts. Kalam Marunnu (1956) was his first film and he wrote lyrics for Devaragan. He has penned for about 900 songs in about 232 films and has been collaborated with music directors of old 50’s to latest 2010’s.  V.Dakshinamurthy, Devaragan, Raveendran, Salil Chaudary, Mohan Sitara, M.B.Sreenivasan, Ouseppachan, M.G.Radha Krishnan and Johnson have worked on his lyrics.  

He has been awarded with civilian awards – Padma Shri, Padmavibhushan and Honorary doctorate by Kerala University. His lyrics of Vaisali won National awards in 1989. He has won state awards 13 times. His most popular movies are Idanazhiyiloru kaalocha, Nakashatangal, Vaisali, Nee ethra danya, Madanolsavam, Ethiripoove Chuvannapoove, Pranayam, ente hridathinte udama, Aaranyakam, Kaattupookkal, kaliyodam, Karuna, Kumarasambhavam, Swapnam, Samasya,  and Manivathoorile Ayiram Sivarathrikal.

He is an active politician also and has the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency for the Lok-Sabha elections in 1989. But he failed in the elections. Many of his poems and lyrics reflected his attraction towards ‘Left party’.

ONV Kurup died on 13 February 2016, due to age-related ailments.

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Updated: September 29, 2017