The music of Kerala has a complex history. It is not the same as Malayalam poetry, although most of it is poetry driven. Kerala has a rich tradition in Carnatic music. Songs formed a major part of early Malayalam literature, which traces its origin to the 9th century CE. The significance of music in the culture of Kerala can be established just by the fact that in Malayalam language, musical poetry was developed long before prose. With the development of music in the region, different branches were formed out of it.
Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra is an Indian playback singer and Carnatic musician. In a career spanning over four decades, she has recorded over 25,000 songs in various Indian languages, as well as foreign languages such as Malay, Latin, Arabic, Sinhalese, English and French. She is also known for her extensive history of collaboration with music composers like A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, Hamsalekha, M. M. Keeravani and with the playback singers K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam over the years. She is regarded as a cultural icon of South Indian states. She is cited as the Golden Voice of India by world’s Prestigious Royal Albert Hall, London in 2001 and Melody Queen of Indian Cinema by Radio Mirchi, The Times Group in 2016. She is honoured with the title First Ladies by the President of India in 2018 for being the first Indian woman to be honoured by British Parliament at House of Commons, United Kingdom in 2003. People of India fondly called her as Little Nightingale of Indian Cinema.
Thattil Antony Johnson, popularly known as Johnson Master, was an Indian film score composer and music director who has given music to some of the most important motion pictures of Malayalam cinema, including those for Koodevide, Namukku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, Vadakkunokkiyantram, Perumthachan, Njan Gandharvan, Ponthan Mada, and Bhoothakkannadi. Regarded as one of the finest composers in the industry, he was noted for his lyrical and expressive melodies together with simple but rich tonal compositions of thematic music. Johnson is a recipient of National Film Awards twice and Kerala State Film Awards five times.
Malabar Gopalan Radhakrishnan was an Indian music director and Carnatic vocalist from Kerala.
Arayannegalude Veedu is a Malayalam film written and directed by A. K. Lohithadas. The film stars Mammootty in the lead role with Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Devan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Siddique, Jomol, Krishna Kumar, Cochin Haneefa, Lal and Bindu Panicker in supporting roles.
Kalippattam (transl. Toy) is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Venu Nagavalli and starring Mohanlal, Urvashi, Thilakan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Jagathy and Nedumudi Venu. Mohanlal also sang a song ("Vazhiyoram") with Chithra for the film. The story is about the love between a violinist played by Mohanlal and a terminally ill girl played by Urvashi. The music and background score were composed by Raveendran.
Madhusoodanan Jayachandran is an Indian composer, singer, and musician. He has won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director for a record number of nine times. In 2005, he also won the state award for best male singer. In 2015, he won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen. He has composed music for 126 films.
Phantom is a 2002 Malayalam action drama film directed by Biju Varkey. It stars Mammootty in the title role, and Manivannan, Manoj K. Jayan, Innocent, Nishanth Sagar, Nedumudi Venu and Lalu Alex in other pivotal roles.
Kallu Kondoru Pennu is a 1998 Indian Malayalam action crime film, directed by Shyamaprasad, starring Dileep, Baby Ajay Pradeep and Vijayashanti. This story is about an unmarried nurse (Vijayashanthi) from Kuwait City who adopts a baby kid.
Thiruthalvaadi is a 1992 Malayalam film written by Kaloor Dennis and directed by Viji Thampi. The film stars Siddique, Jagadish, Jagathy Sreekumar, Urvashi and Sivaranjini in the main roles. The basic plot was based on the 1982 Tamil movie Manal Kayiru, directed by Visu.
Nadakame Ulakam is a 2011 Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Viji Thampi and starring Mukesh, Vinu Mohan, Sarayu, and Saranya Mohan in the lead roles. Its songs are composed by veteran music director Johnson with lyrics written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The film was released on 25 February.
Sahayathrikakku Snehapoorvam is a 2000 Indian Malayalam comedy film directed by M. Shankar, who previously directed Nakshatratharattu (1998). It stars Kunchacko Boban and Kavya Madhavan.
Kanninum Kannadikkum is a 2004 Indian Malayalam language film directed by Sunderdas and starring Kalabhavan Mani and Monica.
Aagneyam is a 1993 Malayalam-language film directed by P. G. Viswambharan and written by John Zakaria and Kaloor Dennis, starring Jayaram, Nedumudi Venu, Sunitha, Gautami, Maathu, Sankaradi, Thilakan and Mala Aravindan in the lead roles.
Purappadu is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Jeassy. The film stars Mammootty, Parvathy Jayaram, Sumalatha and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair in the lead roles. The musical score of the film is by Ouseppachan and the lyrics are written by O. N. V. Kurup. The film deals with social issues.
Sreeragam is a 1995 Indian Malayalam film, directed by George Kithu. The film stars Jayaram, Vinduja Menon, Sudheesh and Geetha in lead roles. The film had musical score by Kanhangad Ramachandran.
Koushalam is a 1993 Indian Malayalam film, directed by T. S. Mohan and starring Siddique and Urvashi in the lead roles.
Kunjikuruvi is a 1992 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Vinayan. The film stars Nedumudi Venu and Geetha in lead roles. The film had musical score by Mohan Sithara.
Aavanikunnile Kinnaripookkal is a 1991 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Paul Babu, starring Kakka Ravi and Karthika in the lead roles.
