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Raveendran(1943-2005)
was a popular Indian music composer . He composes more than 150 films
primarily for the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. He has also
composed a few albums including Vasantha Geethangal.
♪ Early Life
Raveendran joined to the Swathy Thirunnal Sangeetha College,
Thiruvananthapuram after completing his formal schooling.
 He
learned music along with noted singer K.J.YesudasPoverty in the family did
not present him any ‘colourful’ days in his childhood. But he took that
‘dismal days’ positively and as a stepping stone for the 'hard' days ahead
in his career as a singer/musician.
Before crumbling his that desire, Kulathoopuzha Ravi (before changing his
name to Raveendran)earlier had tested his vocal chord for 30 odd songs
under various noted music directors including Baburaj. But he could not go
on with the singer tag for long. Lack of opportunities in the field made
him a 'dubbing artist' and a singer in a ganamela troop.then he turned to
scoring music. But it was for plays!
♪
Musical career
It was Yesudas who helped him later to become a music director as
Raveendran himself had strongly wished to be known as a playback singer!
It was then that Sasi Kumar the director of "Choola"(1979) gave him a
chance to give music to the film. That single movie itself had fetched him
more chances. "Tharake Mizhiyithalil Kannerumayi…" The song in the movie,
sung by Yesudas, became a hit then (now too). The ‘chaste melody’ was the
specialty of that song, a specialty of director Raveendran
From then on Raveendran ruled the roost of Malayalam film music. He had
belted out many hits in 1980s and 90s.
Melody incorporated with the niceties of Carnatic music was the hallmark
of his songs! By the release of Thenum Vayambum (1981), Raveendran made
his mark in film field. The whole songs in the movie became a super hit!
The songs, "thenum Vayambum…","ottakambi naatham…" are still sought- after
numbers for Malayalees. Raveendran had ‘created’ songs rather gave tunes
to them. May be that is why his melodies are still standing the test of
times. A few among Raveendran’s best songs were in films like ‘Thenum
Vayambum’, ‘Amaram’, ‘His Highness Abdullah’, ‘Ayal Katha zhuthuthukayanu’,
‘Nandanam’ and ‘Mizhi Randilum’.
Raveendran has composed many soulful melodies. in the 70's and evolved as
one of the foremost music directors in the South, composing about 1000
songs in 150 films, in addition to a number of light music and devotional
albums.
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