Shyam Biography 
Shyam is one among those music directors of Malayalam who worked for both Black and White movies as well as colour movies and became successful too. He was one among the most sought music directors of the industry during 80’s and the first one to become successful giving theme music to movies. As a music director, his most popular songs are included in the movies – Daisy, Kaanamarayathu and Aaroodam. His most popular theme music for the movies are - Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, August 1, Moonamura and Irupatham Noottandu. He has done both fast numbers as well as slow numbers. His fast tracks include – Orumadhura kinavinte lahariyil and Raappadi than, very popular in campuses during 80’s. He worked with leading singers of the industry – Yesudas, Janaki and Chitra to create successful tunes. He has scored music for over 300 films including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi languages and a few Christian devotional songs also.
Shyam was born in 1938 as Samuel Joseph to a Tamil Christian family in Mylapore in Tamil Nadu state. But his mother belongs to Palakkad, Kerala. She taught her songs and she was the organ player at church. He became interested in string instruments, especially the violin and at the age of 15, he became the disciple of Dhanraj master who teach him western music. His childhood days were spent in Chennai.
Shyam started as a violinist in some drama troupes during his early carrier and he was introduced to film world by Viswanathan. Shyam entered film industry as a music director for Tamil film Etrikal Jagrathai in 1968. He worked as assistant director of Salil Chaudhary for his Malayalam movies during this period. Through ‘Manya Shree Vishwamitran’, Shyam entered Malayalam industry. The song, Kettile Kottayathoru Mutha Pullachan was an instant hit. Slowly he began to work for Malayalam movies as well and became very successful too.
His other hit Malayalam songs include – Poomaname of Nirakkoottu, Ormathan Vasatha of Daisy, Vaishaka Sandya and Kara kaana kadalala mele of Naadodi kaattu, Irupatham Nootandu of Abhrapoo, Kasthuri maan kurunne of Kaanamarayathu, Mainakam kadalil of Thrishna, Devadharu poothu of Engane ne marakkum and Olangal Thalam Thallumbol of Kadathu.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 27, 2013
