Rafeeq Ahamed

Last updated

Rafeeq Ahamed
Rafeeq Ahmad.jpg
Born (1961-12-17) 17 December 1961 (age 62)
Thrissur, Kerala, India
Occupations
  • Poet
  • lyricist
  • novelist

Rafeeq Ahamed (born 17 December 1961) is an Indian poet, lyricist and novelist. [1] He has won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry and is a six-time winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics. With more than 600 songs to his credit, [2] Rafeeq Ahamed is regarded as the most successful and critically acclaimed lyricist of contemporary Malayalam films. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Early life

Rafeeq Ahamed was born to Syed Sajjad Hussain and Thithayikutty on 17 December 1961 in Akkikavu, Trichur. [6] He graduated in English literature from Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur.

Literary career

Rafeeq Ahamed authored a number of poems. [7] Some of his collections include Swapnavangmoolam, Paarayil Paninjathu, Aalmara and Cheettukalikkar. He won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 2006 for the collection Aalmara. [8] He is also a recipient of Vyloppilli Award, Odakkuzhal Award and P. Kunhiraman Nair Award. [9] He also authored the novel Azhukkillam which was serialised in Mathrubhumi Illustrated Weekly and published as a book in 2015. [10]

Film career

He started his film career through the 1999 film Garshom directed by P. T. Kunju Muhammed. [11] His second work as a lyricist was Perumazhakkalam , directed by Kamal. It was the music director M. Jayachandran who suggested Rafeeq to Kamal, based on an experience of working with Rafeeq for the title song of a television serial Samanathaalam. Rafeeq penned the lyrics of the much acclaimed song; Rakkilithan for Perumazhakalam and has since written more than 600 songs for about 300 Malayalam films. [12]

Bibliography

Poetry collections

YearTitle
2013Rafeeq Ahamedinte Kavithakal
2012Thoraamazha
2008Gramavrikshathile Vavval
2008Shivakami
2007Cheettukalikkar
2006Aalmara
2000Paarayil Paninjathu
1996Swapnavangmoolam

Novel

Partial filmography

[13] [14]

YearTitleNotes
1997 Garshom
2004 Perumazhakkalam 1 song- "Rakkilithan"
Athu Mandara PoovallaUnreleased film
2006 Out of Syllabus 4 songs
2007 Paradesi
Pranayakalam Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics
Soorya Kireedam
Flash
Kaiyoppu 1 song
2008 Laptop
Thirakkatha
2009 Dr. Patient
Rithu
T. D. Dasan Std. VI B
Kerala Cafe
Sufi Paranja Katha Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics
Paleri Manikyam 1 song
2010 Sadgamaya Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics
Anwar Filmfare Award for Best Lyrics,
Vanitha Film Award for Best Lyrics
Elsamma Enna Aankutty
Bombay Mittayi 4 songs
Elektra
De Nova
Annarakkannanum Thannalayathu
2011 Khaddama
Urumi 1 song- "Chalanam Chalanam"
Bhakthajanangalude Sradhakku
Salt N' Pepper
The Train
Adaminte Makan Abu
Violin
Bombay March 12
Veeraputhran
Sevenes 1 song- "Meghathoppil"
Snehaveedu
Swapna Sanchari
2012 Unnam
Ithramathram
Orange
Orkut oru ormakkoottu2 songs
Ee Adutha Kaalathu
Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty 1 song
Nidra
Josettante Hero
Doctor Innocentanu
Ustad Hotel Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics
Diamond Necklace
Run Baby Run
Spirit Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics,
Amrita TV Film Awards for Best Lyrics,
Filmfare Award for Best Lyrics
Vanitha Film Award for Best Lyrics
Bachelor Party
22 Female Kottayam 1 song- "Neeyo"
Cinema Company
Naughty Professor
Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam
Last Bench
Theruvu Nakshatrangal
Molly Aunty Rocks!
Trivandrum Lodge
Idiots
101 Weddings
916
Theevram 1 song
Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu
Poppins 1 song
Chapters
Bavuttiyude Namathil
I Love Me
2013 Oru Indian Pranayakadha Amrita TV Film Awards for Best Lyrics
10:30 am Local Call
Lokpal
Nee Ko Njaa Cha
Celluloid
Tourist Home
Radio
Kili Poyi
Lucky Star
Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu
K.Q
Rebecca Uthup Kizhakkemala
Redwine
August Club
Immanuel
Ladies and Gentleman
Left Right Left
Sringaravelan
ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi 1 song - "Vaanam Puthumazha"
5 Sundarikal 2 songs
God for Sale
Artist
Kunjananthante Kada
Arikil Oraal 1 song
Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus
North 24 Kaatham 2 songs
3G
Idukki Gold
Vishudhan
Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal
2014 Ettekaal Second
Salaam Kashmier
Pranayakadha
Pianist
How old are you Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics
Gamer
Praise the Lord
Law Point
7th Day 1 song - "Mazhavil Chiraku"
Onnum Mindathe
Cherukkanum Pennum
Bangalore Days 1 song - "Ethu Kari Ravilum"
Vikramadithyan 1 song - "Megham"
Beware of Dogs
Persiakaran
Njaan
Money Ratnam
Iyobinte Pusthakam
Tamaar Padaar
Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu
Angels
Kaaviya Thalaivan (Malayalam)Dubbed Film
Cousins 1 song - "Neeyen Vennila"
Njangalude Veettile Athidhikal
Pakida
2015 The Reporter
Rasputin
Alif
100 Days of Love 1 song
Ennum Eppozhum
You Too Brutus
Bhaskar the Rascal
Ivide
Lukka Chuppi
Love 24x7
Loham 1 song
Kaliyachan
Ennu Ninte Moideen Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics,
Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics,
Filmfare Award for Best Lyrics,
Vanitha Film Award for Best Lyrics
Pathemari
Ithinumappuram
Saigal Padukayaanu
Rani Padmini
Charlie 4 songs
2016 White
Kismath 1 song - "Nilamanaltharikalil"
Maheshinte Prathikaaram 3 songs - "Idukki", "Theliveyilazhakum" and "Mounangal".
Pulimurugan 1 song - "Kaadaniyum"
Pachakkallam
Kattumakkan
Puthiya Niyamam 1 song
Ithu Thaanda Police
Pa Va 2 songs
Daffedar
Pretham
Guppy 1 song - "Athiraliyum"
Thoppil Joppan
Ore Mukham 1 song
2017 Jomonte Suvisheshangal
Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol
Oru Mexican Aparatha 2 songs - "Aakaashakkuda", "Ivalaaro"
Fukri
Campus Diary
Kaattum Mazhayum
Aby
Pareeth Pandari
Comrade in America 1 song - "Kannil Kannil"
Viswasapoorvam Mansoor 2 songs
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics
Cappucino
Hadiya
Matchbox
Naval Enna Jewel 1 song
Velipadinte Pusthakam 1 song
Crossroad
Kaattu
Zacharia Pothen Jeevichirippundu
Udaharanam Sujatha 1 song
Aakashamittayee
Vimaanam
Mayanadi 1 song - "Kiliye"
Masterpiece 1 song
2018 Carbon 2 songs
Ente Mezhuthiri Athazhangal
Kallai FM
Sakhavinte Priyasakhi
Aami
Parole 1 song
Kammara Sambhavam 1 song
Uncle
Abrahaminte Santhathikal
Neerali 2 songs
Koode
Ennaalum Sarath..?
Oru Kuttanadan Blog 2 songs
Kayamkulam Kochunni
Odiyan 2 songs - "Kondoram", "Maanam Thudukkanu";
Vanitha Film Award for Best Lyrics
Paviyettante Madhurachooral
2019The Great Indian Road Movie
Uyare 2 songs - "Nee Mukilo", "18 Vayassilu"
Naan Petta Makan
My Great Grandfather
Munthiri Monchan 1 song
And the Oscar Goes To...
Kakshi: Amminippilla 1 song
Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal
Ganagandharvan 1 song
Mamangam 3 songs
Nalpathiyonnu (41)
2020 Big Brother
Ayyappanum Koshiyum "Thaalam poi"
"Ariyathariyathariya"
Karnan Nepolian Bhagat Singh
Shyamaragam
2021 One
Varthamanam
Black Coffee
Kuruthi "Vetta Mrugam"
2022Randu
Bheeshma Parvam "Aakasham Pole"
Pathonpatham Noottandu
Ponniyin Selvan: I (Malayalam)
2023 Pulimada "Arikil Onnu Vannal"
Otta "Parakkum Parava Poley"
"Paral"
"Peyneer Poley"
"Ottaykkoru Mutham"

Awards

Literary awards

Film awards

YearAwardMovieNotesRef.
2007 Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist Pranayakalam
2009 Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist Sufi Paranja Katha
2010 Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist Sadgamaya
Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Malayalam Anwar
Vanitha Film Awards for Best Lyrics
2012 Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist Spirit [17]
Amrita Film Award for Best Lyrics
Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Malayalam
Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics Ustad Hotel
Vanitha Film Awards for Best Lyrics Spirit, Diamond Necklace
2013Amrita Film Award for Best Lyrics Oru Indian Pranayakatha
2014 Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics How old are you?
2015 Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist Ennu Ninte Moideen
Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics
Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Malayalam
Vanitha Film Awards for Best Lyrics
2017 Asianet Film Award for Best Lyrics Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol
2018 Vanitha Film Awards for Best Lyrics Odiyan
2019 Kerala Film Critics Association Awards for Best LyricsSyamaragam
2022 Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist Viddikalude Mash [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vayalar Ramavarma</span> Indian poet and lyricist (1928–1975)

Vayalar Ramavarma, also known as Vayalar, was an Indian poet and lyricist of Malayalam language. He was known for his poems which include Sargasangeetham, Mulankaadu, Padamudrakal, Aayisha and Oru Judas janikkunnu and for around 1,300 songs he penned for 256 Malayalam films. He received the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 1972 and was the winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist in its year of inception which he received three more times. He was also a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 1962.  His collaborations with G. Devarajan produced the golden era of Malayalam film music and many songs written and composed by these duo remain the ever green classics in Malayalam. Ramavarma is regarded as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balachandran Chullikkad</span> Malayalam poet, actor

Balachandran Chullikkad is an Indian poet, orator, lyricist and actor in Malayalam-language media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon</span> Indian writer

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. Known for his works such as Kudiyozhikkal, Kannikkoythu and Mambazham, Menon was the founder president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, an organisation of Kerala-based artists, writers and art and literature enthusiasts. He was a recipient of several honours including Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry, Vayalar Award and Odakkuzhal Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayyappa Paniker</span> Indian poet and critic (1930-2006)

K. Ayyappa Paniker, sometimes spelt Ayyappa Panicker, was a Malayalam poet, literary critic, and an academic and a scholar in modern and post-modern literary theories as well as ancient Indian aesthetics and literary traditions. He was one of the pioneers of modernism in Malayalam poetry, where his seminal works like Kurukshethram (1960), is considered a turning point in Malayalam poetry. Many of Ayyappa Paniker's poems and his several essays were an important influence on later generations of Malayalam writers. His poems often reflected his deep concern for the environment with works such as Kadevide Makkale -Malayalam കാടെവിടെ മക്കളെ

Yusufali Kechery was a poet, film lyricist, film producer and director from Kerala, India. He wrote during the modern era of Malayalam poetry and won the Odakkuzhal Award, the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and the Vallathol Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. Padmanabhan</span> Indian writer

Thinakkal Padmanabhan, popularly known as T. Padmanabhan, is an Indian short story writer of Malayalam literature. He is a recipient of several awards including the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala. He declined some of the earlier awards he was selected for which include Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1973), Odakkuzhal Award (1995) and Sahitya Akademi Award (1996). Mahatma Gandhi University conferred on him the honoris causa degree of the Doctor of Letters in 2018. In 2023, he was honoured with the Kerala Jyothi Award, the highest civilian award given by the Kerala Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. K. Gopi</span> Indian poet

P. K. Gopi is an Indian poet writing in the language Malayalam and also a physiotherapist. He is a lyricist for Malayalam films and was a member of Kerala Sahitya Akademi. He was the former state president of Yuvakalasahithi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri</span> Indian poet (1939–2021)

Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri was an Indian writer and scholar of Malayalam literature. Known primarily for his poems, Namboothiri also contributed to other genres such as essays, translations and children's literature. Swathanthrathe Kurichu Oru Geetham, Bhoomigeethangal, Indiayenna Vikaaram and Charulata count among his notable works. The Government of India honored him with the fourth highest civilian award of the Padma Shri in 2014 and the Government of Kerala awarded him the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary award in Malayalam, the same year. He was also a recipient of Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Overall Contributions, Asan Prize, Sahitya Akademi Award and Odakkuzhal Award.

P. Kunjanandan Nair, better known by his pseudonym, Thikkodiyan, was an Indian playwright, novelist, lyricist and screenwriter of Malayalam. He was known for his contributions to the genre of radio plays and his autobiography, Arangu Kaanatha Nadan, which detailed the socio-cultural development of Malabar in the post-independent period, fetched him a number of awards including the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Biography and Autobiography, Vayalar Award and the Odakkuzhal Award.

Pala Narayanan Nair was an Indian poet and lyricist, best known for his work, Keralam Valarunnu, written in 1953, comprising eight volumes, which earned him the title of Mahakavi. He wrote more than 5,000 poems, which have been compiled in about 43 anthologies. Nair, who also wrote the lyrics for the 1956 Malayalam movie, Avar Unarunnu, was a recipient of the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary honour of the Government of Kerala as well as Vallathol Award and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry, besides other honours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olappamanna</span> Indian poet

Olappamanna Mana Subramanian Namboothirippad, better identified by his family name, Olappamanna , was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. A former chairman of Kerala Kalamandalam and an author of 20 books of poetry, his poems were noted for their explicit social expressions. He received two awards from Kerala Sahitya Academy and another from Kendra Sahitya Academy, besides honours such as Government of Madras Poetry Prize, Odakkuzhal Award, N. V. Puraskaram, Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram and Ulloor Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V. Madhusoodanan Nair</span> Indian Malayalam writer (born 1949)

V. Madhusoodanan Nair is an Indian poet and critic of Malayalam literature, who is credited with contributions in popularizing poetry through recitation. He is best known for Naranathu Bhranthan, the poem with the most editions in Malayalam literature as well as his music albums featuring recitations of his own poems and poems of other major poets. Kerala Sahitya Akademi honoured him with their annual award for poetry in 1993. He is also a recipient many other honours including Sahitya Akademi Award, Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram, Padmaprabha Literary Award, Kunju Pillai Award, R. G. Mangalom Award, Souparnikatheeram Prathibhapuraskaram and Janmashtami Puraskaram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subhash Chandran</span> Indian writer

Subhash Chandran is a Malayalam novelist, short story writer and journalist from Kerala, India. His work includes the 2010 novel Manushyanu Oru Aamukham and the stories "Vadhakramam", "Sanmargam", "Parudeesa Nashtam" and "Guptham", which have been adapted into films. Chandran is the only writer to receive Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards for both his debut story collection (2001) and debut novel (2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. Ramesan Nair</span> Indian lyricist and poet (1948–2021)

S. Ramesan Nair was an Indian lyricist and poet who worked predominantly in the Malayalam film industry. Over his career he wrote songs for over 170 films and over 3,000 devotional songs outside of the films. He debuted with the movie Pathamudhayam in 1985. He was a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2010 and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2018 for his collection of poems Gurupournami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri</span> Indian writer (1926–2020)

Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, popularly known as Akkitham, was an Indian poet and essayist who wrote in Malayalam. He was known for a simple and lucid style of writing, exploring themes of profound love and compassion in his works. Some of his prominent works included Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam, Balidarshanam, and Nimisha Kshetram.

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. Narayana Panickar</span> Malayalam Writer

R. Narayana Panickar was an Indian essayist, playwright, translator, lexicographer, novelist and historian of Malayalam. He was credited with over 100 books but the best known among them are the seven-volume work, Kerala Bhasha Sahitya Charitram, a comprehensive history of Malayalam literature up to 1951 and Navayuga Bhasha Nighantu, a lexicon. He also wrote a number of novels and translated several works including Purananuru, Akanaṉūṟu and Silappatikaram. He was also a historian and published works such as Thiruvithamkoor Charitram and Kerala Charitram. Sahitya Akademi honoured him with their annual award in 1955.

Ajijesh Pachat is a Malayalam novelist, short story writer and columnist from Malappuram district of Kerala, India. He has won numerous awards, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Geetha Hiranyan Award.

E. V. Ramakrishnan is an English-Malayalam bilingual writer, poet and literary critic from Kerala, India. He received several awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism and the Odakkuzhal Award. In 2023 Ramakrishnan received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his literary study Malayala Novelinte Deshakalangal.

References

  1. "മഴകൊണ്ടുമാത്രം മുളയ്ക്കുന്ന പ്രണയത്തിന്റെ വിത്തുകൾ..." ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  2. "List of Malayalam Songs written by Rafeeq Ahamed". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. "എഴുത്തുകാർ അയിത്തം നേരിടുന്ന കാലം: റഫീക്ക് അഹമ്മദ്". News 18. 15 December 2018.
  4. "ട്രെൻഡ് നോക്കി പാട്ടെഴുതാറില്ല, സഭ്യമല്ലാത്ത വരികൾ എഴുതുകയുമില്ല: റഫീഖ് അഹമ്മദ്".
  5. "മരണമെത്തുന്ന നേരത്തിൽ തളച്ചിടാൻ ഇഷ്ടമില്ല- റ ഫീ ക്ക് അ ഹ മ്മ ദ് | Madhyamam". 25 June 2021.
  6. "റഫീക്ക്‌ അഹമ്മദ്‌" (in Malayalam). Harithakam. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  7. https://www.manoramaonline.com/literature/literaryworld/2017/04/24/rafeeq-ahammed-talk-about-his-favourite-poems.html "മഴകൊണ്ടുമാത്രം മുളയ്ക്കുന്ന പ്രണയത്തിന്റെ വിത്തുകൾ"]. Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). 25 April 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  8. "Faithful to Poesy". The New Indian Express. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  9. "Rafeeq Ahammed". Mathrubhumi. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  10. Rahna Thalib (26 April 2017). "ചീരുത്തള്ളയുടെ സുവിശേഷം". The Indian Express (in Malayalam). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  11. "Lyrical craftsmanship". The Hindu. 29 April 2010. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  12. "List of Malayalam Songs written by Rafeeq Ahamed". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  13. "List of Malayalam Songs by Lyricist Rafeeq Ahamed". malayalasangeetham.info. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  14. "റഫീക്ക് അഹമ്മദ്". M3DB.COM. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  15. "റഫീഖ് അഹമ്മദിന് ഓടക്കുഴല്‍ അവാര്‍ഡ്". DC Books. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  16. "Poet-lyricist Rafeeq Ahammed wins Swathi-Ayyappa Panicker Literary Award". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  17. "Rafeeq Ahamed on song". The Hindu. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  18. "53rd Kerala State Film Awards: Complete list of winners". 21 July 2023.