Kerala music has a complex history distinct from Malayalam poetry, with which it is often associated. Though it is often driven by poetry, Kerala also has its roots in Carnatic music. Songs have always been a significant part of early Malayalam literature dating back to the 9th century CE. The significance of music in Kerala's culture can be deduced from the musical poetry that developed in the Malayalam language long before prose. As music evolved in the region, various branches emerged from it
Gopinathan Nair Venugopal, popularly known as G. Venugopal, is an Indian playback singer known for his works in Malayalam films. He started his singing career in the film Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984). Since then he has sung in more than 400 films; and has over 500 private albums to his credit.
Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, popularly known as Kaithapram, is a Malayalam lyricist, poet, music director, actor, singer, screenwriter, music therapist and performer of Carnatic music. He debuted with the movie Ennennum Kannettante in 1986. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist two times. He was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honour Padma Shri in 2021 by the Government of India for his contribution to the field of art.
Jayarajan Rajasekharan Nair, professionally credited as Jayaraj, is an Indian filmmaker, who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry.
Rappakal is a 2005 released Malayalam film directed by Kamal. Mammootty, Nayanthara and Sharada appears in lead roles.
Shweta Mohan is an Indian playback singer. She has recorded songs for films and albums in all the four south Indian cinema namely Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada, besides few Hindi films and has established herself as a leading playback singer of South Indian cinema.
Madampu Sankaran Namboothiri, popularly known as Madampu Kunjukuttan, was a Malayalam actor, author and screenplay writer.
Azhakiya Ravanan is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy-drama film directed by Kamal and written by Sreenivasan. The film has an ensemble cast of Mammootty, Bhanupriya, Sreenivasan, Innocent, Biju Menon, Rajan P. Dev, and Cochin Haneefa. Kavya Madhavan portrayed Anuradha's younger self. The movie was produced by V. P. Madhavan Nair under the banner of Murali Films, while the music was composed by Vidyasagar as his debut in Malayalam. The 2015 film Chirakodinja Kinavukal is a spin-off to this film.
Nandanam is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language romantic film written, co-produced and directed by Ranjith. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Revathi, Navya Nair, Aravind Akash, Siddique and Saikumar. Playback singer K. J. Yesudas and Sudheesh make guest appearances. The film won four Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South awards.
Thooval Kottaram is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language romantic drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by A. K. Lohithadas. It stars Jayaram in lead role. The music was composed by Johnson. The film won three Filmfare Awards South, was a commercial success, and ran for about 300 days in theatres. Jayaram won his first Kerala State Film Award, a Special Jury Award, for his role as Adv. Mohanachandra Poduval.
Vellithira is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film written and directed by Bhadran. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Navya Nair. The story is about a young man who is working hard to raise his sister. The music was composed by debutant Alphons Joseph. The songs were charbusters at that time, particularly the song "Pachamanga Pachamanga".
Makalkku is a 2005 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Jayaraj and written by Madampu Kunjukuttan from a story by Rajan Poduval. It stars Suresh Gopi and Shobana. The film features songs composed by Ramesh Narayan and background score by Alphons Joseph.
Kaaryasthan is a 2010 Malayalam-language action comedy film written by the duo Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas and directed by debutant Thomson K. Thomas. It stars Dileep, Siddique, Madhu, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Biju Menon. It was Dileep's 100th feature film. Akhila, a noted television anchor and dancer, debuted as an actress through this film. The film was released on November 5 coinciding with Diwali.The film received highly positive reviews from critics became a blockbuster at box office and it was also one of the highest grossing Malayalam films of 2010.
Aanachandam is a 2006 Indian Malayalam language film directed by Jayaraj and starring Jayaram, Remya Nambeesan, Sai Kumar, Innocent, Cochin Haneefa, Salim Kumar and Jagathy Sreekumar. It was released in 2006. This film was a commercial success and critically acclaimed.. It ran for about 100 days in the central Kerala regions of Thrissur, Thripunithura and Ottappalam. It was the second highest-grossing Malayalam films of 2006, though it was released along with the movie Classmates during Onam holidays that year.
Kudumbapuranam is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language drama film, written by Lohithadas and directed by Sathyan Anthikad, with Thilakan, Balachandra Menon, Ambika, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Parvathy and Sreenivasan in major roles. The film was a remake of the 1986 Tamil film Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, directed by Visu. The film revolves around a middle-class Malayalee family and the strained relationship between father and son. The film clearly highlights the circumstances that the family goes through after their son raises questions about the division of family expenditure after he becomes an earning member of the family, disregarding the hardships his parents went through to raise him and other members of the family.
Agnisakshi is a 1999 Indian Malayalam-language spiritual film written and directed by Shyamaprasad, based on the novel of the same name by Lalithambika Antharjanam. It stars Rajit Kapur, Shobana, Srividya, Praveena, Madhupal and Madambu Kunhukuttan. The film premiered at the Soorya Festival on 14 September 1998. Agnisakshi received numerous accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and nine Kerala State Film Awards. The film holds the distinction of being one of two films to get 9 Kerala State Film Awards.
Kaithapram Vishwanathan Namboothiri was an Indian musician and music director. He was awarded Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music in 2001 for his background music for Kannaki.
Korom Pulleri Vadhayarillathu Unnikrishnan Namboothiri was an Indian actor in Malayalam movies. He mainly handled comedy roles and grandfather roles. His role as Dileep's grand father in the Malayalam movie Kalyanaraman was well noted. P. V. Kunhikrishnan, a judge of the Kerala High Court is his son and the noted lyricist and music director Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri is his son-in-law. He died on 20 January 2021 at a private hospital in Kannur.
Deepankuran Kannadimana, popularly known as Deepankuran Kaithapram, is an Indian musician who has often composed tunes for Mollywood projects. He is the son of popular Malayalam lyricist and musician Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.He is also the Grandson of Unnikrishnan Namboothiri who is a noted actor in Malayalam movies.
