Being one of the directors of Neelakkuyil would alone have ensured immortality for P. Bhaskaran.
It was a film that revolutionised Malayalam cinema, after all.
But, Bhaskaran did much more, as a director and actor. It is, however, as a lyricist that he is remembered more. Rightly so.
Finest of verse
The songs Bhaskaran – whose eighth death anniversary falls on Wednesday – wrote in a career that spanned over six decades continue to delight us. Among his songs are many of the finest ever in Malayalam cinema.
Songs such as Karayunno puzha… ( Murappennu ), Thamasamenthe varuvan… ( Bhargavi Nilayam ), Kaayalarikathu… ( Neelakkuyil ), Anagha sankalpa gayike… ( Aniyara ) and Ilavannoor matathile… ( Kadathanattu Makkam ) are forever.
He was a pioneering lyricist in Malayalam cinema and showed the way for the gifted men that came after him, like Vayalar Ramavarma, O.N.V. Kurup and Sreekumaran Thampi.
Inspirational writer
“Bhaskaran has been the biggest influence for me as a lyricist,” says Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.
“I became a huge admirer after listening to his songs like Pathivayi pournami thorum… ( Adyakiranangal ), Nagaram nagaram… ( Nagarame Nandi ) and Karayunno puzha… ( Murappennu ), which, to me, is the best song of all time in Malayalam cinema.”
That song from Murappennu , composed by B.A. Chidambaranath, is truly a classic.
In just 12 lines, Bhaskaran summarised the plot of the film, which marked the debut of M.T. Vasudevan Nair as a scriptwriter.
Simplicity
The hallmark of Bhaskaran’s songs is their simplicity. Yet, they are deep in meaning.
A song like Avidunnen ganam kelkkan… ( Pareeksha ) shows how a shy woman’s feelings for her lover can be brought out so effectively, using the simplest of words. Bhaskaran, in fact, had a unique knack to understand the female psyche. Anjanakkanezhuthi… ( Thacholi Othenan ), Kadavathu thoniyadukkombol… (Murappennu), Vasantha panchami nalil… ( Bharagavi Nilayam ) and Oru kochuswapnathin… ( Tharavattama ) are some shining examples.
“I have always felt we could relate to Bhaskaran as if he was just one of us, while Vayalar seemed intellectually slightly above us, though he was just as brilliant a lyricist,” says Kaithapram.
“It was an honour for me when Bhaskaran wanted me to speak at the function to present him with the Prem Nazir Award.”
P.K. Ajith Kumar
Yesterday was
the eighth death anniversary of
P. Bhaskaran.
