Pulloottupadathu Bhaskaran alias as P. Bhaskaran (21 April 1924 – 25 February 2007), was a

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry ( Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam wa ...

poet, lyricist of

Malayalam film Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, '' Elippathaya ...

songs, and filmmaker. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed 44 Malayalam feature films and three documentaries, produced six feature films, and acted in several movies. For his overall contributions to Malayalam cinema, he was awarded

J. C. Daniel Award The J. C. Daniel Award is Kerala's highest award in Malayalam cinema. It is presented annually by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, a non-profit institution under the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Kerala, India. Insti ...

by the

Government of Kerala Government of Kerala is the subnational government of the Indian state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who selects all the other ministers. The chief minister and their most senior ministers belong to the supreme decisio ...

. He was also a journalist and an

All India Radio All or ALL may refer to: Language * All, an indefinite pronoun in English * All, one of the English determiners * Allar language (ISO 639-3 code) * Allative case (abbreviated ALL) Music * All (band), an American punk rock band * ''All'' (All ...

employee before becoming active in the film industry. He was well known for the simple use of language in his songs and poems.

Early life

P. Bhaskaran was born on 21 April 1924 in Kodungallur, Thrissur district. His father, Nandyelathu Padmanabha Menon was a poet, lawyer, journalist, and

Indian independence activist The Indian independence movement consisted of efforts by individuals and organizations from a wide spectrum of society to obtain political independence from the British, French and Portuguese rule through the use of a many methods. This is a l ...

. His mother was Pulloottupadathu Ammalu Amma. Bhaskaran was the sixth among the nine children among his parents. His father died when he was studying in the fifth standard. He started to write poems when he was studying in 7th standard. He studied in Maharajas College,

Eranakulam Ernakulam () is the Central Business District of the city of Kochi in Kerala, India and has lent its name to the Ernakulam district. Many major establishments, including the Kerala High Court, the office of the Kochi Municipal Corporation ...

. He used to write poems in a local magazine. For taking part in the August Struggle, he was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. After getting released, he went to

Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second ...

and joined '' Deshabhimani Weekly''.

Non-film career

P. Bhaskaran started to write songs for communist stage performers. His songs were banned in the (then) State of

Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. A ...

. His first collection of poems was released under the title ''Villali''. During the Communist Rebellion in '' Punnapra-Vayalar'', he wrote a song titled ''Vayalar Garjikkunnu'' (Vayalar Roars) under the pen name ''Ravi''. The song, starting with the lines ''Uyarum Njan Nadake...'' rose to legendary stature in the days to come, during which the song was banned and he was expatriated from the (then) State of Travancore as per the orders of

Dewan ''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the e ...

C. P. Ramaswami Iyer Sir Chetput Pattabhiraman Ramaswami Iyer (12 November 1879 – 26 September 1966), popularly known as Sir C. P., was an Indian lawyer, administrator and politician who served as the Advocate-General of Madras Presidency from 1920 to 1923, Law ...

. Then he went to

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

(then

Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

) to join the editorial board of the ''

Jayakeralam ''Jayakeralam'' was a Malayalam–language weekly literary magazine published from Madras (now Chennai). It was established by C. R. Krishna Pillai in 1947 in order to encourage Malayalam writers both in Madras and Kerala, and to vocalize the "s ...

''. He used to write songs for Akashavani, which helped him secure a job in Kozhikode Akashvani. In the 1950s, he got associated with the film industry. He quit his job in Akashavani and went to Chennai to start a full-time film career. The lyrics for the theme song of the Malayalam channel Asianet, starting ''Shyama Sundara'' was also written by him.

Film career

P. Bhaskaran's debut as a lyricist was for a

Tamil film Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood is a part of Indian Cinema; primarily engaged in production of motion pictures in the Tamil language. Based out of the Kodambakkam neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is popularly called ''Kollywo ...

. He wrote the Malayalam lines for a multi-lingual song in film Apoorva Sagodharargal (1949). The first Malayalam film song for which he wrote lyrics was "Madhumadhuri..." for the film ''Chandrika'' (1950). He worked with the 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 the south Indi ...

in his films '' Viruthan Shanku'' (1968), '' Virunnukari'' (1969), and ''Ariyapedatha Rahasiyam'' (1981) and produced some evergreen songs. In 1954, Bhaskaran along with

Ramu Kariat Ramu Kariat (1 February 1927 – 10 February 1979) was an Indian film director for almost three decades from the 1950s to the 1970s, who directed many acclaimed films in the Malayalam cinema. His noted films include '' Neelakkuyil'' (1954), '' ...

directed the film ''

Neelakkuyil ''Neelakuyil'' ( en, The Blue Cuckoo; ml, നീലക്കുയിൽ) is a 1954 Malayalam film jointly directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat. It is a neo-realistic melodrama and was based on a story written by Uroob who co-wrote the s ...

''. The movie is regarded as ushering in

social realism Social realism is the term used for work produced by painters, printmakers, photographers, writers and filmmakers that aims to draw attention to the real socio-political conditions of the working class as a means to critique the power structure ...

in Malayalam cinema. It got the President's silver medal, the first-ever national recognition for a Malayalam film. Two years later, he did his first solo work, titled '' Rarichan Enna Pouran''. It failed at the box office. His films '' Adyakiranangal'' (1964), ''

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 Sukum ...

'' (1969), and ''Thurakkatha Vathil'' (1971) went on to win

National Film Awards The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...

for various categories. He also acted in several films including ''Neelakkuyil''. He appeared in the film ''Manoradham'' (1978), as a strict family head who has deep faith in

astrology Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Di ...

. He also directed several documentaries including the award-winning ''Vallathol''.

Death

Bhaskaran suffered from

Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As ...

at the end of his life, and could not recognize anyone who worked with him, a notable example being that the noted singer

S. Janaki Sistla Janaki (born 23 April 1938) is an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer from Andhra Pradesh. She is referred to respectfully as "Janaki Amma" and Nightingale of South India. She is one of the best-known playback singers in ...

, who sang many songs written by him. The last film for which he wrote lyrics was 'Soudamini', released in 2003. He died on 25 February 2007 at his home in

Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

aged 83. He was cremated with full state honors at Thycaud Santhikavadam crematorium.http://madhyamam.com His biography ''Urangatha Thamburu'' by Perumpuzha Gopalakrishnan was published by Mathrubhumi Books.

Awards

Literary awards

* 1980 –

Odakkuzhal Award ''Odakkuzhal'' is a 1975 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. N. Menon and produced by M. P. Navakumar. The film stars Sheela, Jose Prakash, P. J. Antony and Alummoodan in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjuna ...

(''Ottakkambiyulla Thamburu'') * 1981 –

Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry The Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry is an award given every year by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi (Kerala Literary Academy) to Malayalam writers for writing poetry of literary merit. It is one of the twelve categories of the Kerala Sahitya A ...

(''Ottakkambiyulla Thamburu'') * 1992 – Asan Poetry Prize * 1997 – Deviprasadam Trust Award * 2000 – Vallathol Award

Film awards

;

1954 Events January * January 1 – The Soviet Union ceases to demand war reparations from West Germany. * January 3 – The Italian broadcaster RAI officially begins transmitting. * January 7 – Georgetown-IBM experiment: The fir ...

– President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Malayalam (''

Neelakuyil ''Neelakuyil'' ( en, The Blue Cuckoo; ml, നീലക്കുയിൽ) is a 1954 Malayalam film jointly directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat. It is a neo-realistic melodrama and was based on a story written by Uroob who co-wrote the ...

'') *

1958 Events January * January 1 – The European Economic Community (EEC) comes into being. * January 3 – The West Indies Federation is formed. * January 4 ** Edmund Hillary's Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition completes the third ...

– Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Malayalam ('' Nayaru Pidicha Pulivalu'') ;

Kerala State Film Awards The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Ch ...

* 1970 – Best Lyricist (''Sthree'') * 1978 – Best Documentary ('' Vallathol'') * 1985 – Best Lyricist ('' Kochu Themmadi'') * 1992 – Best Lyricist ('' Venkalam'') * 1994 – Award for Lifetime Achievement (J. C. Daniel Award) ;

Asianet Film Awards The Asianet Film Awards is an award ceremony for films presented annually by Asianet, a Malayalam-language television network from the south-Indian state of Kerala. Asianet says that awards ceremony has been instituted to honour both artis ...

* 1999 –

Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime achievement awards are awarded by various organizations, to recognize contributions over the whole of a career, rather than or in addition to single contributions. Such awards, and organizations presenting them, include: A * A.C. ...

Partial list of songs he wrote

* "Kayalarikathu..." (Film: ''

'') * "Kuyiline Thedi..." (Film: ''

'') * "Ellarum Chollanu..." (Film: ''

'') * "Engane Nee Marakkum..." (Film: ''

'') * "Thamasamenthe Varuvaan..." (Film: ''

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 his own short story ''Neela Velicham''. The film stars Madhu, Vi ...

'') * "Vannan Vannallo..." (Film: '' Viruthan Shanku'') * "Vaasantha Sadanathin..." (Film: '' Virunnukari'') * "Kanana Poikayil Kalabham..." (Film: ''Ariyapedatha Rahasiyam'') * "Hridayamuruki Nee Karayillenkil..." (Film: '' Karutha Pournami'') * "Innale Mayangumbol.." (Film: ''

Anveshichu 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 ...

'') * "Kattile Pazhmulam.." (Film: ''Vilakku Vangiya Veena'') * "Alliyambal kadavil..." (Film: ''Rosi'') * "Anjanakkannezhuthi..." (Film: ''Thacholi Othenan'') * "Pranasakhi Nhan..." (Film: '' Pareeksha'') * "Karayunno Puzha Chirikkunno..." (Film: '' Murappennu'') * "Innenikku Pottu Kuthan..." (Film: ''Guruvayoor Kesavan'') * "Karimukilkkattile..." (Film: ''

Kallichellamma ''Kallichellamma'' is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran. It is based on the novel of the same name by G. Vivekanandan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sheela and Adoor Bhasi. It was released on 22 August 1969. S ...

'') * "Manjani Poonilavu..." (Film: ''Nagarame Nandi'') * "Pathuvelippinu......" (Film: ''Vengalam'') * "Dukhangalkkinnu Njaan..." (Film:''Ambalapravu'') * "Vakacharthu..." (Film: ''Iruttinte Athmavu'') * "Swargagayike Ithile"... (Film: ''Mooladhanam'') * "Nilaavinte Poonkaavil"... (Film: ''Sree Krishnaparunth'') * "Innale Nee Oru Sundara Raagamayen... (film: ''Stree'') * "Iru Kanneer Thullikal Oru Sundariyude" (film" ''Iruttinte Atmavu") * "Kesadi Padam Thozhnnen Kesava"... (film: "

Pakalkkinavu ''Pakalkkinavu'' is a 1966 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by S. S. Rajan and produced by N. R. Vaidyanadhan. The film stars Sathyan, Sharada, Adoor Bhasi and Nilambur Balan. Cast * Sathyan as Babu * Sharada as Malathi *Nellikode B ...

Filmography as director and producer

; Feature Films *''

'' (with Ramu Karyat) (1954) *''

Rarichan Enna Pauran ''Rarichan Enna Pauran'' () is a 1956 Indian Malayalam-language film written by Uroob and directed by P. Bhaskaran. The film marks the debut of the noted Malayalam film actor K. P. Ummer. The cast includes Vilasini, Prema, Master Latheef, Padmanab ...

'' (1956) *'' Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu'' (1958) *'' Bhagya Jathakom'' (1962) *'' Laila Majnu'' (1962) *''

Ammaye Kaanaan ''Ammaye Kaanaan'' is a 1963 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by V. Abdulla. The film stars Sathyan, Ambika and Baby Vinodini. Cast * Sathyan as Chandran * Madhu as Balagopal *Ambika as Madhavi *Adoor ...

'' (1963) *''

Aadyakiranangal ''Aadyakiranangal'' is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Ambika and K. R. Vijaya, with a musical score by K. Raghavan. The film won National Film Award for Best Featu ...

'' (1964) *''

Shyamala Chechi ''Shyamala Chechi'' is a 1965 Indian Malayalam film directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by R. Chella Durai and V. Abdulla. The film stars Sathyan, Ambika, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi. The film has a musical score by K. Raghavan. Cast * Sathya ...

'' (1965) *'' Tharavattamma'' (1966) *'' Anweshichu Kandethiyilla'' (1967) *''

'' (1967) *'' Pareeksha'' (1967) *''

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 Cas ...

'' (1968) *'' Aparadhini'' (1968) *'' Manaswini'' (1968) *'' Kaattukurangu'' (1969) *''

'' (1969) *''

Mooladhanam ''Mooladhanam'' ( ml, മൂലധനം, translation: ''Capital'') is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran, written by Thoppil Bhasi and produced by M. Azim. The film stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Sharada and Jayabha ...

'' (1969) *''

Ambalapravu ''Ambalapravu'' is a 1970 Cinema of India, Indian Malayalam language, Malayalam film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by T. C. Barjathya. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Madhu (actor), Madhu and Sharada (actress), Sharada in the lead ...

'' (1970) *'' Kakkathamburatti'' (1970) *''Sthree'' (1970) *'' Thurakkatha Vathil'' (1970) *'' Kurukshethram'' (1970) *''

Moonu Pookkal ''Moonnupookkal'' is a 1971 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Madhu and Sheela in the lead roles. The film had musical score by Pukazhenthi. Cast *Prem Nazir * Sathyan *Madhu *Sheela *Jayabha ...

'' (1971) *'' Muthassi'' (1971) *''

Navavadhu ''Navavadhu'' is a 1971 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by A. L. Sreenivasan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi. The film had musical score by G. Devarajan. Cast *Shanavas as ...

'' (1971) *''

Ummachu ''Ummachu'' (''Beloved'') is a Malayalam novel written by Uroob in 1954. ''Ummachu'' along with ''Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum'' are considered the best works by Uroob and are ranked among the finest novels in Malayalam. In ''Ummachu'', Uroob exp ...

'' (1971) *''

Vilakku Vangiya Veena ''Vilakku Vangiya Veena'' is a 1971 Indian Malayalam film, directed and produced by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sharada, Usha and KPAC Lalitha in the lead roles. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy. Plot Sar ...

'' (1971) (Producer & Director) *'' Vithukal'' (1971) *'' Aaradimanninte Janmi'' (1972) (Producer & Director) *''

Sneehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku ''Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku'' is a 1972 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Madhu, Sharada, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. The film had musical score by Pukazhenthi. Cast *Madhu * Sh ...

'' (1972) *'' Raakuyil'' (1973) (Only as Producer) *'' Udayam'' (1973) (Producer & Director) *''

Veendum Prabhatham ''Veendum'' is a 1986 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Joshiy starring Mammootty, Ratheesh, Jayashree and Geethu Mohandas in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Ouseppachan. Cast *Mammootty as Vijaya Chandran * Jayashree as La ...

'' (1973) *'' Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan'' (1974) *'' Oru Pidi Ari'' (1974) *'' Thacholi Marumakan Chandu'' (1974) (Producer & Director) *'' Chumaduthangi'' (1975) *''

Mattoru Seetha ''Mattoru Seetha'' () is a 1975 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran, starring Kamal Haasan, Roja Ramani (credited as Shobana), Sheela, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadoor, Sukumari, Jose Prakash, Prema Menon, M. G. Soman and Vincent. I ...

'' (1975) *'' Appooppan'' (1976) *''

Vazhivilakku ''Vazhivilakku'' is a 1976 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Vijay. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sukumari, Jayabharathi and M. G. Soman. The film has musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy. Cast *Prem Nazir *Sukumari *Jayabharathi * ...

'' (1976) *'' Sreemad Bhagavad Geetha'' (1977) (Producer & Director) *''

Jagadguru Aadisankaran ''Jagadguru Aadisankaran'' is a 1977 Indian Malayalam film, directed and produced by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Muralimohan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, O. Ramdas and Sankaradi in the lead roles. The story revolves around the life, philosophies and mir ...

'' (1977) (Producer & Director) *'' Vilakkum Velichavum'' (1978) *''

Enikku Vishakunnu ''Enikku Vishakkunnu'' is a 1983 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by Jaya Vijaya, Thomas Keeppuram and M. A. John. The film stars Nedumudi Venu, Ambika, Achankunju and Kottayam Valsalan in the lead roles. The film ha ...

'' (1983) ; Documentaries *''Guruvayoor Mahatmyam'' (1984) *''History of Malayalam Cinema'' − 2 parts (1989) *'' Vallathol'' (Year?) ; Television *'' Vaiki Vanna Vazhi'' (1990) (T. V. Film) *'' Vaitharani'' (1991) (T.V. Serial)

As an actor

*'' Ezhamkadalinakkare'' (1979) *'' Pichipoo'' (1978) *''

Manoradham ''Manoradham'' is a 1978 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Gopikumar and produced by K. H. Khan Sahib. The film stars P. Bhaskaran, Sharada, Sankaradi and K. P. Ummer in the lead roles. The film has musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy. Ca ...

'' (1978) *'' Vilakkum Velichavum'' (1978) *''

'' (1954) *''

Manasakshi ''Manasakshi'' is a 1954 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by G. Viswanath and produced by K. S. Akhileswarayyar. The film stars Prem Nazir and Hemalatha in lead roles. The music score is by S. G. K. Pillai. It is the debut Malayalam film ...

'' (1954) *'' Thiramala'' (1953)

Notes

References

P Bhaskaran passes away
*http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=5 * http://archives.peoplesdemocracy.in/2007/0311/03112007_mababy.htm

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhaskaran, P. Film directors from Kerala Malayalam film directors 1924 births 2007 deaths Deaths from Alzheimer's disease Neurological disease deaths in India Male actors from Kerala People from Thrissur district Screenwriters from Kerala Malayalam-language lyricists Malayalam-language writers Malayalam poets Male actors in Malayalam cinema Indian male film actors Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Kerala State Film Award winners All India Radio people 20th-century Indian film directors 20th-century Indian composers 20th-century Indian male actors Indian male screenwriters Indian filmmakers 20th-century Indian poets Indian lyricists Indian male composers 20th-century Indian male writers Directors who won the Best Film on National Integration National Film Award 20th-century male musicians Odia film directors 20th-century Indian screenwriters J. C. Daniel Award winners