Ka. Mu. Sheriff

Last updated

Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Ka. mu. sheriff.jpg
Born
Kadershah Ravuthar Mu. Sheriff

(1914-08-11)11 August 1914
Abhivirutheeswaram, East Thanjavur, Tamilnadu
Died7 July 1994(1994-07-07) (aged 79)
Occupationpoet

Ka. Mu. Sheriff was a writer and poet who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He was a popular Tamil film lyricist during the 1950s and 60s. His lyrics Chittukuruvi Chittukuruvi Sedhi Theriyuma?, Yerikaraiyin Maele Poravale Penn Mayile are ever-green in the minds of Tamil film song lovers. He has also written screenplay and dialogues to some films.

Contents

Early life

Born on 11 August 1914 at Abhivirutheeswaram in East Thanjavur district as the only son to Kadershah Ravuthar and Pathuma amma, he lived an exemplary life. Though he was a Muslim by birth, he respected other faiths and was a vegetarian throughout his life. He never smoked or drank.

He did not have a regular school education but was tutored privately in Tamil language till he was 14 years of age. Encouraged by his father, he learned Tamil grammar and literature. He started writing poetry when he was young.

Career

He started writing short stories for Ananda Vikatan. (Later these short stories were published as a collection in book form). He published a monthly named "Oli" (transl.Light) in 1948 and then between 1952 and 1969 he published two periodicals Saattai and Thamizh Muzhakkam.

Freedom fighter

He was a follower of the Congress party freedom fight and has taken part in the Quit India Movement in 1942. Later he joined Ma. Po. Si.'s Tamil Arasu Kazhagam and functioned as its secretary. He participated in the struggle mooted by Tamil Arasu Kazhagam to retain Madras as the Capital of Tamil Nadu. He also participated in the Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu.

Writer

He has written numerous books on various subjects in Tamil. (Lists of books he authored can be found in ta:கா. மு. ஷெரீப்).

Tamil Movie Lyricist

In late 1940s, Sheriff was affiliated to the Modern Theatres in Salem. He was influential in introducing M. Karunanidhi to the Modern Theaatres' owner T. R. Sundaram, who hired the young script writer for a monthly sum of 500 rupees, to join the story department of his company. In his autobiography, Karunanidhi had acknowledged this debt. Sheriff has penned more than 400 lyrics, many of which are popular and ever-green among Tamil film song lovers. His very first movie lyric was penned for the 1950 film Ponmudi, produced by the Modern Theatres.

Music Directors

Music Directors who composed tunes to his lyrics are: G. Ramanathan, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, S. Dakshinamurthi, K. V. Mahadevan, Ramaneekaran, T. A. Kalyanam, T. R. Pappa, S. Rajeswara Rao

Singers

Singers who sang his lyrics include T. M. Soundararajan, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, A. M. Rajah, P. Leela, Jikki, K. Jamuna Rani, Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, (Radha) Jayalakshmi, K. Rani, U. R. Chandra, Ponnammal, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, A. P. Komala,

Notable compositions

YearFilmSong/sSinger/sMusic DirectorNotes
1950 Manthiri Kumari உலவும் தென்றல் காற்றினிலே and othersG. Ramanathan He is one of the lyricists along with A.Maruthakasi
1950 Digambara Samiyar G. Ramanathan
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
He is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known
1950 Ponmudi G. RamanathanHe is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known
1950 Chavukkadi Chandrakantha G. RamanathanHe is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known
1951 Devaki G. RamanathanHe is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known
1951 Sarvadhikari S. DakshinamurthiHe is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known
1952 Amarakavi Oru Pizhaiyum Seydhariyen ..eesa Man meethileM. K. Thyagaraja BhagavatharG. Ramanathan
T. A. Kalyanam
1952 Zamindar G. Ramanathan A. Maruthakasi also wrote lyrics. Individual credits not known
1953 Anbu Enna Enna InbameA. M. Rajah & JikkiT. R. Pappa3 out of 12 songs were penned by him
1953 Inspector G. RamanathanHe is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known
1953 Naalvar Valluvanaar Seydha ThozhilU. R. Chandra, Ponnammal & groupK. V. Mahadevan
1953 Vazha Pirandhaval G. Ramanathan
S. Rajeswara Rao
All 9 songs were penned by him
1954 Koondukkili Vaanga Ellorume KoodiT. M. Soundararajan & K. RaniK. V. Mahadevan
1954 Mangalyam Vaazhvadhu PonaalumT. M. SoundararajanK. V. Mahadevan4 out of 7 songs were penned by him
1954 Pudhu Yugam Jaadhiyile Naanga ThaazhndavangaJikki, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, A. P. Komala, A. G. RathinamalaG. RamanathanHe wrote the story also
1955 Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Menakaiyum NaanuvaalK. RaniK. V. Mahadevan
1955 Kalyanam Seydhukko Engum Nirai Paramporul OnreSirkazhi GovindarajanRamaneekaran
Vaetti Kattina PombaleSirkazhi Govindarajan & Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi
1955 Mullaivanam Engirundho ingu vandha radhiyeT. M. Soundararajan & (Radha) JayalakshmiK. V. Mahadevan
Sariyendru nee oru
1955 Nalla Thangai Ennai Pole BhagyasaaliJikki & P. LeelaG. Ramanathan
Thaene Paage Thevittadha(Radha) Jayalakshmi
1955 Town Bus Chittukkuruvi ChittukkuruviK. V. MahadevanAll songs
1956 Naan Petra Selvam G. RamanathanAll (9) songs
1957 Makkalai Petra Magarasi O Malliyakka O RojakkaJikki, K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. RathnamalaK. V. Mahadevan
1957 Mudhalali Yeri Karaiyin MeleT. M. SoundararajanK. V. MahadevanHe wrote all the 7 songs
1958 Annaiyin Aanai Patthu Maadham Sumandhu Annaiyai Pol OruT. M. SoundararajanS. M. Subbaiah Naidu
1960 Sivagami Vanil Mulu mathiyai kandenT. M. SoundararajanK. V. Mahadevan
1963 Thulasi Maadam Aadum MAyile Aattam EngeT. M. SoundararajanK. V. Mahadevan3 out of 5 songs were penned by him

[1]

Death

Ka. Mu. Sheriff died on 7 July 1994.

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

M. Karunanidhi Indian politician, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Muthuvel Karunanidhi was an Indian writer and politician who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for almost two decades over five terms between 1969 and 2011. He was popularly referred to as "Kalaignar" (Artist) and "Mutthamizh Arignar" for his contributions to Tamil literature. He had the longest tenure as Chief Minister Of Tamil Nadu with 6,863 days in office. He was also a long-standing leader of the Dravidian movement and ten-time president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party. Before entering politics, he worked in the Tamil film industry as a screenwriter. He also made contributions to Tamil literature, having written stories, plays, novels, and a multiple-volume memoir. He is the father of current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. K. Stalin.

V. R. Nedunchezhiyan Indian politician

V. R. Nedunchezhiyan was an Indian politician and writer. He served thrice as the acting Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He was also finance minister under the governments of C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. For his literary contributions, he was also known as "Navalar" or the eloquent.

T. M. Soundararajan Indian Carnatic musician and singer

Thoguluva Meenatchi Iyengar Soundararajan, popularly known as TMS, was an Indian Carnatic musician and a playback singer in Tamil cinema for over six and a half decades. He lent his voice to actors and thespians in the Tamil film industry such as M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, N. T. Rama Rao, Gemini Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran, Jaishankar, Ravichandran, A. V. M. Rajan, R. Muthuraman, Nagesh, Sivakumar, Kantha Rao, Rajkumar, Prem Nazir and A. Nageswara Rao. He also gave his voice to many new generation actors like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Satyaraj, Rajesh, Prabhu, and Vijaya Kumar, in addition to other known and unknown heroes and supporting actors like M.R. Radha, K R Ramaswami, T. Rajendar, V.K. Ramaswami, Thengai Sreenivasan, M.N. Nambiar, Thangavelu, Y.G. Mahendran, R.S. Manohar, S.V. Ashokan, Ranjan, Narasimha Bharathi, Sahasra Namam, T S Balayya, Jagayya, Nagayya, Thyagarajan, Sreenath, Shankar etc. He sang over 10,138 songs from 3,162 films, including devotional, semi-classical, Carnatic, classical and light music songs. He gave classical concerts starting in 1943.

Sirkazhi Govindarajan Indian singer

Sirkazhi Govindarajan was a leading vocalist in Carnatic Music and a leading playback singer of Indian cinema.

S. S. Rajendran Indian politician

Sedapatti Suryanarayana Rajendran, also known by his initials SSR, was an Indian actor, director, producer and politician who worked in Tamil theatre and cinema.

S. P. Adithanar

Si. Balasubramania Athithan 27 September 1905 – 24 May 1981), popularly called as "Adithanar", was an Indian lawyer, politician, minister and founder of the Tamil daily newspaper Dina Thanthi. He was the founder of the We Tamils party. He served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council for two terms and as a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for four terms. He was the Speaker of the Assembly during 1967–68 and Tamil Nadu's minister for Cooperation in the M. Karunanidhi cabinets of 1969 and 1971. In his memory, two Tamil literary awards were created and are awarded annually by his son, Sivanthi Adithanar.

2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Elections to the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu

The Fourteenth Legislative Assembly Election was held on 13 April 2011 to elect members from 234 constituencies in the India state of Tamil Nadu. Results were released on 13 May 2011. Two major parties Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) faced the election as coalitions of multiple political parties: DMK front consisted of 8 parties and the AIADMK of 11 parties. Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which had contested the previous elections independently, allied with the AIADMK coalition. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam boycotted the election following a disagreement with Jayalalithaa over seat-sharing. Tamil film actor Vijay was openly involved in Tamil Nadu politics for the first time by extending his support for AIADMK.

C. P. Chitrarasu was an Indian politician and writer from Tamil Nadu. He was the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council during 1970-76. He was nicknamed Sindhanai Sirpi.

<i>Naalvar</i> 1953 film

Naalvar is a 1953 Tamil-language drama film directed by V. Krishnan. The film stars A. P. Nagarajan, Kumari Thankam, N. N. Kannappa, M. N. Krishnan and T. P. Muthulakshmi in major roles. Nagarajan, who played the main lead was also the writer of the film. The film revolves around a family consisting of four siblings.

<i>Raja Rani</i> (1956 film) 1956 film by A. Bhimsingh

Raja Rani is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The film was directed by A. Bhimsingh, produced by National Productions and written by M. Karunanidhi.

<i>Town Bus</i> 1955 Indian film

Town Bus is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by K. Somu and produced by M. A. Venu. The film was written by A. P. Nagarajan, and the soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film stars N. N. Kannappa and Anjali Devi, with V. K. Ramasamy, A. Karunanidhi, T. K. Ramachandran, M. N. Rajam and T. P. Muthulakshmi in supporting roles. The plot of the film was built around a bus transport company based in Coimbatore. The film performed well at the box office.

<i>Mangalyam</i> (film) 1954 Indian film

Mangalyam is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Somu, starring A. P. Nagarajan and B. S. Saroja.

<i>Mullaivanam</i> 1955 Indian film

Mullaivanam is a 1955 Indian Tamil language film produced and directed by V. Krishnan. The film features Sriram and Kumari Rukmini in the lead roles.

<i>Maheswari</i> (film) 1955 Indian film

Maheswari is a 1955 Indian Tamil language film produced by Modern Theatres and directed by T. R. Raghunath. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Savithri.

Kalyanam Seydhuko is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. Sundar. The film stars P. S. Govindan and Girija.

<i>Nalla Thangai</i> 1955 Indian film

Nalla Thangai is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by S. A. Natarajan. The film stars M. N. Nambiar, Madhuri Devi, Rajasulochana, S. A. Natarajan and T. S. Balaiah.

<i>Mayavathi</i> 1949 Indian film

Mayavathi is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by T. R. Sundaram. The film stars T. R. Mahalingam and Anjali Devi.

Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam

Kurichchi Marimuthu Balasubramaniam better known as Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam (1920-1994) was an Indian writer and Poet who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He was a popular Tamil film lyricist and have penned about 263 songs in about 54 Tamil-language films. He was popularly referred to as Ku. Ma. Paa.

Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass

Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass is an Indian poet and script writer who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He has written more than 500 lyrics for Tamil films.

A. Maruthakasi

A. Maruthakasi was an Indian poet and film lyricist who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He penned more than 4000 lyrics in more than 250 Tamil films.

References

  1. "Annayai Pol Oru". Lyrics by Ka. Mu. Sheriff. RedMux. 8 April 1958. Retrieved 13 December 2017.