G. Devarajan

Paravoor Govindan Devarajan (), popularly known as G. Devarajan or Devarajan master, was a noted Malayalam music composer, died on March 14, 2006 in Chennai, at the age of 79.

He 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.

Early life

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 ambiliyil 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 KPAC drama Ningalenne Communistaakki written by Thoppil Bhasi in 1952.

Film 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...
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