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G. Devarajan
Paravoor
Govindan Devarajan, popularly known as G. Devarajan or
Devarajan master, is a Malayalam music composer. Devarajan master
has scored music for more than three hundred Malayalam films,
many dramas, twenty Tamil and four Kannada movies. Many of his
compositions remain ever green classics in Malayalam. Besides,
his music in the Tamil film 'Annai Velankanni' has received many
accolades. Devarajan received Kerala Government's Best Music
Director award for five times, among other honours.
History
Born at
Paravur, near Kollam in Kerala, Devarajan rendered his first
classical concert at the age of 18. He was soon attracted to the
Communist movement and decided to dedicate his creative energy
for popular music. He joined the once famous drama troupe of
Kerala, the Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC). The work that
brought him to limelight was the drama song titled Ponnarivaal
ambiliye kanneriyunnoole. KPAC and its members had a distinctive
leaning towards the communist ideology, and their dramas did play
a role in spreading the ideology among the Keralite masses.
Through his compositions, Devarajan could cast an indelible
imprint in the Malayali theatre arena, especially after the
famous K.P.A.C drama Ningalenne Communistaakki written by Thoppil
Bhaasi in 1952.
Career
The
first movie for which he composed music was Kaalam Maarunnu
(1955). He teamed up with poet-lyricist Vayalar Ramavarma in
Chathurangam in 1959. His third movie - and the second with
Vayalar - Bharya (1962) became a huge hit and made them a popular
combination. His captivating music earned him pride of place
among those who had relentlessly strived to earn a dignified
status for film songs. His combination with Vayalar produced the
golden era of Malayalam film music. Devarajan is remembered by
legendary singers in Malayalam like K. J. Yesudas and
Jayachandran as their Godfather. In fact, it was the magical
compositions by him that brought laurels to the main singers of
that age.
Devarajan
was the one who used maximum number of raagas in Malayalam film
music. His music embraced different styles with the Carnatic and
Hindusthani melody lines meeting folk idioms and western harmony.
Despite being an atheist, he composed brilliant devotional songs
like Guruvayoor ambalanadayil, Nithya vishudhayam kanya mariyame
etc. which are considered as classics in that genre. Also, he is
particularly noted for his remarkable ability to blend the words
of the lyrics with the mood of the situation, in his film song
compositions. His compositions like Sanghupushpam, Sanyasini,
Sanghamam, Chandrakalabham to name a few, surely come in the best
and most popular songs in the Malayalam film music till now. Most
of his hit songs were written by Vayalar Ramavarma and the
combination of Vayalar-Devarajan was synonymous with beautiful
songs. The Vayalar-Devarajan combine proved the most successful
team till the death of Vayalar in the mid 1970s. Hundreds of
songs contributed by the team are still part of Malayalis'
nostalgia. Apart from Vayalar, he has also given tunes to the
lyrics by other eminent poets and song writers like O. N. V.
Kurup, P. Bhaskaran etc.
The
name Devarajan master is remembered by Malayalam music lovers all
over the world as the composer of deva raagas - divine melodies.
Devarajan master died on March 14, 2006 in Chennai, at the age of 79. He was cremated with state honours in Paravur.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Devarajan