Mohammad Sabir Baburaj (3 March 1929 – 7 October 1978) was an Indian music composer. He is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. Baburaj has rendered music to many evergreen Malayalam film songs.

Early years

Baburaj was born on 3 March 1929 in

Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...

. His early childhood was spent in destitution and poverty. His father, Jan Muhammed Khan, who was a Hindustani musician from

Bengal Bengal ( ) is a Historical geography, historical geographical, ethnolinguistic and cultural term referring to a region in the Eastern South Asia, eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. The region of Benga ...

who frequently held concerts in

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

, deserted his

Malayali The Malayali people (; also spelt Malayalee and sometimes known by the demonym Keralite) are a Dravidian ethnolinguistic group originating from the present-day state of Kerala and Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India, occupying its south ...

mother when he was very young, and returned to his native

Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...

. Baburaj thus became fatherless, often singing songs in trains to make a living. But as luck would have it, a policeman, Kunjumuhammed (he was called Kunjumuhammed ika), an enthusiast of music from his native town of

, noticing the boy's vocal talents, decided to virtually adopt him.

Music career

One of his greatest achievements was the introduction of Hindustani strains into Malayalam popular music. He successfully composed melodies based on Hindustani

Raga A raga ( ; , ; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. It is central to classical Indian music. Each raga consists of an array of melodic structures with musical motifs; and, fro ...

s and blended Malayalam lyrics into them. Most of the lyrics were written by eminent Malayalam poets like

P. Bhaskaran Pulloottupadathu Bhaskaran alias as P. Bhaskaran (21 April 1924 – 25 February 2007), was an Indian Malayalam language poet, lyricist of Malayalam film songs, and filmmaker. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed ...

and

Vayalar Vayalar is a village in Cherthala taluk, Alapuzha district, Kerala state, India. Location Vayalar is 5 km from Cherthala, Kerala. Vayalar is bounded on the east by the Vayalar kayal which is a part of the famous Vembanad backwat ...

. Baburaj learned basic lessons of Hindustani music from his father from a very young age, but he could not learn it for long due to his father's demise. In search of pure music, young Baburaj visited West

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

and

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

. He learned to play the

Harmonium The pump organ or reed organ is a type of organ that uses free reeds to generate sound, with air passing over vibrating thin metal strips mounted in a frame. Types include the pressure-based harmonium, the suction reed organ (which employs a va ...

during this period. He came back to Kerala to a precarious existence. He sang on the streets of

to earn his livelihood. Police constable Kunju Muhammed, who was a fan of Baburaj's father, adopted him and brought him up. Later he started composing music for the Malayalam dramas in the Malabar region and thus slowly entered the field of music direction. In 1957, he composed music for the Malayalam film ''Minnaminungu'', by Ramu Kariat, thus entering the Malayalam film industry. Then he worked with director

P. Venu P. Venu (8 November 1940 – 25 May 2011), was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and lyricist with over 20 films to his name. His directorial venture Udhyogastha in 1967 was the first-ever multi-star cast film of south India. ...

and composed classic songs like "Anuragaganam Pole", "Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha", and "Kalichirimaaratha Penne" for the film ''

Udhyogastha ''Udhyogastha'' is a 1967 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Venu and produced by P. K. Devadas and P. S. Das. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Madhu and Sharada in the lead roles. The film was scored by M. S. Baburaj. Plot Vimala is ...

'' (1967). Baburaj was also an accomplished singer and harmonium player.

Legacy

The Baburaj –

–

Yesudas Kattassery Joseph Yesudas ( /jeːʃud̪aːs/; born 10 January 1940) is an Indian playback singer and musician who sings Indian classical, devotional and film songs. He is widely considered one of the greatest singers in the history of Indian m ...

combination produced many of the most memorable Malayalam tunes of the 1960s and 1970s. Most of his classic duets were sung by P. Leela,

K. J. Yesudas Kattassery Joseph Yesudas ( /jeːʃud̪aːs/; born 10 January 1940) is an Indian playback singer and musician who sings Indian classical, devotional and film songs. He is widely considered one of the greatest singers in the history of Indian m ...

and

S. Janaki Sistla Janaki (born 23 April 1938) is an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer. She is widely referred to as Janaki Amma and Nightingale of India(nightingale of South) . She is one of the greatest playback singers in the history ...

, each recording solo Baburaj compositions as well. Many of Baburaj's songs remain very popular in Kerala, with songs like "Oru Pushpam Maatram" frequently rendered on stage at various events. The ''

Manorama Music Manorama Music is a music company based out in Kerala, India. The label has produced and distributed film soundtracks, devotional songs, classical music, traditional chants, Vedas, poems, music albums etc. They also release Cartoon series like K ...

'' company chanced upon an old audio cassette of Baburaj rendering some of his own compositions in a platform of friends' circle. The cassette named 'Baburaj Padunnu' was re-mixed and became an instant hit. The tracks gave Kerala a rejuvenated taste of Baburaj's music with his unique style of soulful singing. Though a successful composer, Baburaj was never a careerist, but kept his focus on his art. Today, various clubs and musical organisations conduct stage programs in honour of Baburaj ('Babukka' to his friends and acquaintances), and give the proceeds to his family. During his time, money was not easy to come by for artists, and Baburaj never managed to earn much, dying in poverty. "Thrikkakkare theerthakkare" sung by P. Susheela in the 1978 film ''Yagaswam'', directed by Hariharan, was his last recorded song. In 1983, Baburaj posthumously received the

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award is an award given by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, an autonomous organisation for the encouragement, preservation, and documentation of the performing arts of Kerala, set up by the Department of Cultu ...

in Light Music category. In 2014, Baburaj was awarded

Kamukara Kamukara Purushothaman (4 December 1930 – 26 May 1995) was an Indian singer. He was a noted playback singer in Malayalam cinema during its early years. He has recorded over 170 songs in 68 movies in various South Indian languages. Early ...

Music Award posthumously, instituted by Kamukara Foundation. The award was received by his wife Bicha Baburaj.

Personal life

Baburaj married Bicha, daughter of Kallayi Kundungal Moideen and Bichamina, in 1956. They had nine children, Sabira, Deedar, Gulnar, Abdul Jabbar, Shamshad, Roshna, Zulfikar, Farhad and Shamna.

Death

Baburaj died an early death, on 7 October 1978 at the age of 49. His death occurred in a general hospital in Madras (now called

Chennai Chennai, also known as Madras (List of renamed places in India#Tamil Nadu, its official name until 1996), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and ...

), after suffering from a massive

hemorrhagic stroke Stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop ...

Notable songs

* ''Thamasamenthe Varuvan Pranasakhi'' * ''Pranasakhi'' * ''Anuraga Ganam Pole'' * ''Oru Pushpam Mathramen Hridayathil Sookshikkam'' * ''Vaasantha Panjami Naalil'' * ''Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha'' * ''Kanneerum Swapnangalum Vilkkuvanaayi Vannavan Njan'' * ''Eeranuduthumkondambaram Chuttunna'' * ''Aadiyil Vachanamundaayi'' * ''Kalichirimaaratha Penne'' * ''Vichana Theerame'' * ''Innale Mayangumbol'' * ''Thankam Vegam'' * ''Chandramimbam Nenjilettum'' * ''Pavada prayathil'' * ''Annu ninte Nunakkuzhi'' * ''Vellichilankayaninjum'' * ''Kadali Vazha Kayyilirunnu'' * ''Surumayezhuthiya Mizhikale'' * ''Pathiravayilla Pournamikanyakku Pathinezhoe Pathinettoe Prayam'' * ''Pottatha Ponnin Kinavu Kondoru Pattunoolonjala Ketti Njan'' * ''Panja Varna Thatha Pole Konji Vanna Penne'' * ''Pranasakhee Njan Verumoru'' * ''Thaliritta Kinakkal Than Thamara Maala vangan'' * ''Thaane Thirinjum Marinjum'' * ''Sooryakanthee... Sooryakanthee...'' * ''Oru Kochu Swapnathin Chirakumayi'' * ''Kadale Neela Kadale'' * ''Akale Akale Neelakasam'' * ''Ikkarayanente Thamasam'' * ''Pottithakarnna kinavinte'' * ''Anjana Kannezhuthi'' * ''Arabi Kadaloru Manavalan'' * ''Kanmani Neeyen'' * ''Kanmaniye Karayathurangu'' * ''Adyathe Kanmani'' * ''Innente Karalile'' * ''Oru Kotta Ponnundallo'' * ''Nadikalil Sundari Yamuna'' * ''Thamarakumbilallo Mama Hrudayam'' * ''Maamalakalkkappurathu'' * ''Thedunnathaare shoonyathayil'' * ''Anuraaga Nadakathin'' * ''Aadanumariyaam'' * ''Jeevitheswarikkekuvaanoru'' * ''Kottum njan keettilla'' * ''Kaanan pattatha kanakathin manimuthe'' * ''Vinnile kavil pularumbol (Priya)'' * ''Kanninu Kannaya Kanna (Priya)'' * ''Kanneeraloru puzhayundakki (Priya)'' * ''Aadanumariyam kamuka hridayathe (Priya)''

Discography

* Minnaminugu (1957) *

Umma Umma () in modern Dhi Qar Province in Iraq, was an ancient city in Sumer. There is some scholarly debate about the Sumerian and Akkadian names for this site. Traditionally, Umma was identified with Tell Jokha. More recently it has been sugges ...

(1960) *

Kandam Becha Kottu ''Kandam Becha Kottu'' () is a 1961 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed and produced by T. R. Sundaram under the banner of Modern Theatres. It stars Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Prem Nawas in the lead roles, along with T. S. Mutha ...

(1961) *

Mudiyanaya Puthran ''Mudiyanaya Puthran'' () is a 1961 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Ramu Kariat. It stars Sathyan, Ambika Sukumaran, Kottayam Chellappan, P. J. Antony, J. A. R. Anand, Miss Kumari, Adoor Bhavani, Kedamangalam Ali, P. A. Thomas ...

(1961) *

Laila Majnu ''Layla and Majnun'' ( "Layla's Mad Lover"; ) is an old story of Arab origin, about the 7th-century Arabian poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and his lover Layla bint Mahdi (later known as Layla al-Aamiriya). "The Layla-Majnun theme passed from A ...

(1962) * Palattu Koman (Konkiyamma) (1962) * Bhagyajathakam (1962) *

Ninamaninja Kalpadukal ''Ninamaninja Kalpadukal'' (Bloodstained Footprints) is a 1963 Malayalam language film, directed by N. N. Pisharody and produced by N.K. Karunakara Pillai and Shobhana Parameswaran Nair. The lead role is played by Prem Nazir, with Ambika, Shee ...

(1963) * Moodupadam (1963) * Thacholi Othenan (1964) * Kuttikkuppayam (1964) * Karutha Kai (1964) *

Bhargavi Nilayam ''Bhargavi Nilayam'' () is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language romantic horror film directed by A. Vincent (in his directorial debut) and written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer based on the short story '' Neelavelicham''. The film stars Madhu, Vija ...

(1964) *

Bharthavu ''Bharthavu'' is a 1964 Indian Malayalam film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by T. E. Vasudevan. The film stars Sheela, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Ramesh and T. S. Muthaiah in the lead roles. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoort ...

(1964) * Subaidha (1965) *

Kadathukaran ''Kadathukaran'' is a 1965 Indian Malayalam film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by A. K. Balasubrahmaniam. The film stars Sathyan, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Hari in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Cas ...

(1965) * Porter Kunjali (1965) * Ammu (1965) * Kuppivala (1965) * Thankakkudam (1965) * Kattuthulasi (1965) *

Mayavi ''Māyāvi'' is a Malayalam language, Malayalam comic strip appearing in the Indian comic magazine ''Balarama Comics, Balarama'' owned by Malayala Manorama, MM Publications. The series, was first published in the August 1984 issue of Balarama. ...

(1965) * Chettathi (1965) *

Thommante Makkal ''Thommante Makkal'' () is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film written and directed by J. Sasikumar, with dialogues by P. J. Antony. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Sheela and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. The film had musical score by M. ...

(1965) * Sarppakkaadu (1965) * Maanikyakottaram (1966) * Penmakkal (1966) * Koottukar (1966) * Kaattumallika (1966) *

Anarkali Anarkali () is a legendary lady said to be loved by the 16th-century Mughal Prince Salim, who later became Emperor Jahangir. According to some accounts, Anarkali was the nickname of the courtesan ( tawaif) Sharf-un-Nisa, though scholars hold ...

(1966) *

Tharavattamma ''Tharavattamma'' is a 1966 Indian Malayalam-language drama film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by N. Vasudevan. The film stars Sathyan, Sheela, Sukumari and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. P ...

(1966) *

Poochakkanni ''Poochakkanni'' (also written ''Poocha Kanni'') is a 1966 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Puttanna Kanagal and produced by A. L. Sreenivasan and P. Arunachalam. The film stars Prem Nazir, Adoor Bhasi, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair an ...

(1966) * Kanakachilanga (1966) *

Iruttinte Athmavu ''Iruttinte Athmavu'' () is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his own short story of the same name. It stars Prem Nazir and Sharada in lead roles with Thikkurissy Sukuma ...

(1967) *

Agniputhri Agniputhri is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by Prem Navas. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, T. R. Omana and T. S. Muthaiah. The film had musical score and songs composed by M. S. Baburaj. It ...

(1967) * Balyakalasakhi (1967) *

(1967) *

Karutha Rathrikal ''Karutha Rathrikal'' () is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language science fiction thriller film directed by P. Subramaniam under the name Mahesh. An adaptation of the 1886 novella ''Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'' by Robert Louis Stevenson, i ...

(1967) *

Khadeeja ''Khadeeja'' is a 1967 Indian Malayalam film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by Kalaratnam. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Sheela and Sukumari in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Cast * Sathyan *Madhu ...

(1967) *

Anweshichu Kandethiyilla ''Anweshichu Kandethiyilla'' () is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by Parappurath. The film stars K. R. Vijaya, Sathyan and Madhu. Based on Parappurath's novel of the same name, it recounts the quest ...

(1967) *

Collector Malathy ''Collector Malathy'' is a 1967 Indian Malayalam film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by A. K. Subrahmaniam. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Ambika and Sukumari in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Ca ...

(1967) * Pareeksha (1967) *

Manaswini ''Manaswini'' is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by Parappurath. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Sarada and Sukumari. It is based on ''Sanskar Lakshmi'', a play written by Prafulla Desai. The film w ...

(1968) *

Inspector Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it. Australia The rank of Inspector is present in all Australian police forces excep ...

(1968) * Kaarthika (1968) *

Lakshaprabhu ''Lakshaprabhu'' is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by Raveendranathan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Plot Cast ...

(1968) * Love in Kerala (1968) *

Midumidukki ''Midumidukki'' is a 1968 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Crossbelt Mani and produced by Ponnappan. The film stars Sathyan, Sharada, Adoor Bhasi and Hari in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Plot Radha and Ravi ...

(1968) *

Anchu Sundarikal ''Anchu Sundarikal'' is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by Kasim. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Adoor Bhasi and Pappukutty Bhagavathar. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. C ...

(1968) * Sandhya (1969) * Velliyazhcha (1969) *

Virunnukari ''Virunnukari'' is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. Venu. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sheela and Usha. Cast *Prem Nazir as Madhavankutty *Madhu as Sethu *Sheela as Radha *Jayabharathi as Shantha * Ambi ...

(1969) *

Saraswathi Saraswati (, ), also spelled as Sarasvati, is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of knowledge, education, learning, arts, speech, poetry, music, purification, language and culture. Together with the goddesses L ...

(1970) * Anadha (1970) *

Olavum Theeravum ''Olavum Theeravum'' () is a 1970 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by P. N. Menon, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and produced by P. A. Backer. It stars Madhu and Usha Nandini, with Jose Prakash, Philomina, and Nilambur Balan ...

(1970) * Bheekara Nimishangal (1970) * Vivaham Swargathil (1970) * Ambalapravu (1970) * Priya (1970) * Cross Belt (1970) *

Kuttyedathi ''Kuttyedathi'' () is a 1971 Malayalam language film, directed by P. N. Menon and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. It was widely regarded as one of the best South Indian films made in the 1970s. The film is woven around the life of a girl, who i ...

(1971) *

Manpeda ''Manpeda'' is a 1971 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. M. A. Azeez and produced by Bahadoor. The film stars Jayabharathi, Jesey, T. S. Muthaiah and Prem Navas in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Cast *Jayabhara ...

(1971) * Lora Neeyevide (1971) * Rathrivandi (1971) *

Puthenveedu ''Puthenveedu'' is a 1971 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by K. Sukumaran Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Jayabharathi and T. R. Omana in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Cast *Prem Nazir *Sheela *Ja ...

(1971) *

Ernakulam Junction Ernakulam Junction railway station (also known as Ernakulam South, station code: ERS) is an NSG–2 category List of railway stations in India, Indian railway station in Thiruvananthapuram railway division of Southern Railway zone. It is the m ...

(1971) *

Panimudakku ''Panimudakku'' is a 1972 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. N. Menon. The film stars Madhu, Ammini, Maya and Mohan Sharma. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Cast *Madhu * P. R. Varalakshmi *Mohan Sharma * ...

(1972) * Pulliman (1972) *

Sambhavami Yuge Yuge ''Sambhavami Yuge Yuge'' () is a 1972 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by K. P. Kottarakkara. The film stars Prem Nazir, Adoor Bhasi, Jose Prakash and Prameela in the lead roles. The film's musical score was ...

(1972) * Azhimukham (1972) * Mappusakshi (1972) * Bhadradeepam (1973) * Aaradhika (1973) * Ladies Hostel (1973) *

Soundaryapooja ''Soundaryapooja'' is a 1973 Indian Malayalam film, directed by B. K. Pottekkad. The film stars Madhu, Jayabharathi, Rani Chandra and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Cast *Madhu *Jayabharathi *Rani C ...

(1973) * Manassu (1973) *

Chuzhi ''Chuzhi'' () is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language drama film, directed by Triprayar Sukumaran. The film stars Savitri, Salam and Sujatha. It is the only Malayalam film in which Savitri acted as a heroine. The film was released on 7 December 19 ...

(1973) * Kaamini (1974) *

Nathoon ''Nathoon'' is a 1974 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. Narayanan. The film stars Rani Chandra, Vincent, Sudheer and Bahadoor. The film has musical score by M. S. Baburaj. Cast *Rani Chandra *Sudheer *Vincent *Adoor Bhasi *Thikkuri ...

(1974) * Swarnna Malsyam (1975) * Bhaaryaye Aavashyamundu (Samarppanam) (1975) *

Criminals In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definitions of", in Cane ...

(Kayangal) (1975) * Njaan Ninne Premikkunnu (1975) * Sthreedhanam (1975) * Appooppan (Charithram Aavarthikkunnilla) (1976) * Srishti (1976) * Pushpasharam (1976) *

Allahu Akbar Allah ( ; , ) is an Arabic term for God, specifically the God of Abraham. Outside of the Middle East, it is principally associated with Islam (in which it is also considered the proper name), although the term was used in pre-Islamic Arabia ...

(1977) *

Dweepu ''Dweepu'' is a 1977 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Ramu Kariat. The film stars Jose, Shobha, Kuttyedathi Vilasini and Alleppey Ashraf in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Salil Chowdhury and original songs by M. S. Babura ...

(1977) * Yatheem (1977) * Gaandharvam (Kanakam) (1978) *

Bhrashtu ''Bhrashtu'' is a 1978 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Thriprayar Sukumaran and produced by T. K. Baburajan. The film stars Sukumaran, Kuthiravattam Pappu, M. S. Namboothiri and Paravoor Bharathan in the lead roles. The film has musical sco ...

(1978) * Yagaswam (1978) * College Beauty (1979) * Krishnatulasi (1979)

Early years

Music career

Legacy

Personal life

Death

Notable songs

Discography

See also

References

External links