P. Bhaskaran

P. Bhaskaran Biography

P. Bhaskaran was a famous Malayalam poet and lyricist of Malayalam film songs. He also directed 44 Malayalam feature films and 3 documentaries. Along with it, he produced a few movies and has done a few roles in Malayalam movies too. His contributions to Malayalam movie world is more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He was a journalist and an All India Radio employee before becoming busy in the industry. He has been awarded J.C.Daniel Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Kerala for his overall contributions to Malayalam cinema. His poem, ‘Orkkuka vallapozhum’ (Remember occasionally) is very popular still now.

P. Bhaskaran was born on 21 April 1924 in Kodungallur of Thrissur district. He was born as the son of Nandyelathu Padmanabha Menon, a freedom fighter and poet. Bhaskaran started to write poems at the age of 12. He was active in communism and literature when he was at his college. His poems were published in local magazines and he joined Swadesabhimani newspaper after completing his college studies.  He used to write songs for communist party that time and songs were banned by Travancore kingdom that time. For writing a song for the famous Punnapra – Vayalar communist rebellion, he was banned from Travancore and he had to go to Chennai.

He started his film career writing a Malayalam poem for a Tamil movie - Apurva Sahodarangal in the year 1949.  His first Malayalam film song for a Malayalam movie was "Madhumadhuri" for the film Chandrika (1950). Along with Ramu Kariat, Bhaskaran directed the film Neelakkuyil – the landmark movie of Malayalam. He has also acted in this movie. As a film maker, his movies have won National awards - Adyakiranangal (1964), Iruttinte Athmavu (1969), and Thurakkatha Vathil (1971).

He has won state awards for best lyrics 3 times. As a lyrist, his best songs are Innenikku pottu kuthan of Guruvayur Kesavan, Pathu veluppinu and Aarattu kadavingal of Vengalam, Karimukilkkattile of Kallichellamma, Vakacharthu of Iruttinte aathmavu, Alliyambal kadavil of Rosi, Kattile Pazhmulam of Vilakku Vangiya Veena and Elalrum chollinu of Neela kuyil.  His popular movies as a director and producer are Neelakuyil, Iruttinte aathmavu, Umachu, Veendum Prabhatham, Udayam, Thacholi Marumakan Chandu , Enikku Visakkunnu, Aadya Kiranangal, Ammaye Kaanaan, Bhaagya Jathakom, Kaattu Kurangu, Manswini, Kallichellamma, Moola dhanam, Kaakkathampuratti, Moonu pookkal, Ampala pravu and Stree.

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Updated: July 09, 2018