Bhaskaran Master-The Ever Green Poet of Malayalam
P.Bhaskaran, though a poet has written more songs for films. He was an award winning film director, an actor, a producer, a lyricist, a journalist, a poet and a freedom fighter. His film, Neela kuyil, directed jointly with Ramu Karyat brought the national award for the first time to Kerala. His Iruttinte Atmavu was highly recognized at the State and National level. Bhaskaran Master got the J.C.Daniel award.
P.Bhaskaran
When we think about Malayalam film song writers, immediately three names come to our mind, Vayalar, Bhaskaran Master and ONV. As lyricists their contributions can never be forgotten. They brought high literary values to film songs. Of these three personalities, Bhaskaran Master was not only a lyricist, but also a successful film director, an actor, producer and a script writer.
Pullottupadath Bhaskara Menon (generally known as P.Bhaskaran) was born on 21st April 1924 at Kodungallur in Thrissur district of Kerala. His father Nandilath Padmanabha Menon was a poet. Ammaluvamma was his mother. Bhaskaran had his school education from Kodungallur High school and for higher studies he attended Maharaja's College, Ernakulam.
He got involved in political activities when he was a college student by joining the independence movement. As a result he had to undergo imprisonment for six months (He was getting freedom fighter's pensions from both State and Central Governments, till death). Bhaskaran had another term of imprisonment as a result of participating in the struggle for responsible governance in Travancore State. By this time he had become an activist of Communist Party.
Later in 1959, leaving active politics, he joined All India Radio, Kozhikkode as Programme Producer. He also worked as a journalist with Deshabhimani and Deepika and Jayakeralam.
During 1957 to 1960 Bhaskaran Master was the secretary of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. Later he became the Chairman of this Academy. Also he served as the Chairman of Kerala State Film Development Corporation. Contributions to Malayalam Films
It was in 1954 that Bhaskaran Master entered the film world. He started his career, jointly with Ramu Kariat, directing the Malayalam film Neelakkuyil. It was a masterpiece which brought national awards to a Malayalam film, for the first time. Also it won the merit certificate of the Indian President and Silver Medal for the best second feature film. In whole of South India this was the first film to win these awards.
After 'Neelakkuyil' he brought out several films which won state level and national level awards. Films such as 'Rarichan Enna Pouran', 'Nayar Piticha Pulival', 'Adya kiranangal', 'Thurakkatha Vaathil', 'Iruttinte Aatmavu', 'Jagad guru Sankaracharya', 'Kattu kurangu', 'Kallichellamma', 'Ummachu', 'Mooladhanam' and 'Kurukshethram' are among them. Altogether he has directed 44 films.
He has acted in several films. His role in Neelakuyil was noted by everybody.
If Bhaskaran Master's contributions to Malayalam film world are considered the most noticeable and everlasting ones will be his songs. As a lyricist he has contributed around three thousand songs. His Everlasting songs
"Oru kochu swapnathin chirakumayavitathe ....."
"Oru pushpam mathramen poonkulayil nirtham njan ...."
"Avitunnen ganam kelkkan ......."
"Pranasakhee, njan verumoru pamaranam pattukaran ......"
"En prana nayakane – en nayakane – enthu vilikkum ?....."
"Pirannappol swayam pottikkaranjuvallo – innu piriyumbol anyare karayikkunno ...."
"Valkkala mooriya vasanthayamini vaakamarachottil urakkamayi ..."
"Eeranuduthu kondambalam chuttunna ....."
"Iru kanneerthullikal oru sundariyute ...."
"Sakthi nalkuka thatha neeyen mulkireedam peruvan ...."
"Thamarakkumbilallo mama hridayam ....."
"Ekantha pathikan njan, etho swapna vasantha vanathile ..."
"Sindabad sindabad swantham karyam sindabad ......."
"Kadali vazha kkayyilirinnu kaakkayannu virunnu vilichu ....."
"Naya paisayilla kayyiloru naya paisayilla ....."
"Innale mayangumbol oru manikinavinte ...."
"Maarotanachu njan urakkiyittum ...."
"Swarga gayike ithile, ithile ...........''
"Ente veenakkambiyellam vilakketuthu ...."
"Oro thulli chorayil ninnum orayiram per uyarunnu ...."
"Nalikerathinte nattilenikkoru nazhiyitangazhi mannundu ....."
"Innale neeyoru sundara ragamayen ....."
"Kanniravin kalabha kinnam Ponnani puzhayil ...."
"Kayalarikathu valayerijappol valakilukkiya sundari ..."
This list is endless. There are several other typical lines which automatically come to our mind depending on the circumstances.
Kerala Government has awarded the J.C. Daniel Award to Bhaskaran Master for his life time achievements. At the age of 83, on 25th February 2007 he died. During his last years he had lost his memory and could not recognise even his close friends.
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Some selected titles in poetry :
1.Marddithar
2.Vayalar garjikkunnu
3.Orkkuka vallappozhum
4.Otta kambiyulla thamburu
5.Patunna Mantharikal
6.Villali
7.Rana bheri
8.Karshaka ganam
9.Oru kaviyute kalpatukal
10.Otakkuzhalum lathiyum
11.Mulkkireetam
12.Kayal kattu
13.Puzha veendum ozhukunnu
14.Sathrathil oru rathri
15.Kataru masam (Prose)
16.Cinema nirmanam (Prose)
17.Nava kahalam (songs)
18.karaval (songs)
19.swapna seema (songs)
20.Film songs (9 vols.)
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