Baburaj

Mohammad Sabir Baburaj (Malayalam: എം.എസ്‌. ബാബുരാജ്), also known as M. S. Baburaj, was a Malayalam music composer. He is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music.[1] Baburaj has rendered music to many evergreen Malayalam film songs.[2]

For the actor, see Baburaj (actor).

M. S. Baruraj
Birth nameMohammad Sabir Baburaj
Also known asBaburaj, Babukka
Born(1929-03-09)9 March 1929
Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Died7 October 1978(1978-10-07) (aged 49)
GenresFilm score
Occupation(s)Composer, singer, instrumentalist
InstrumentsHarmonium pump organ
Years active1957–1978

Early years

Baburaj was born on 9 March 1929 in Kozhikode, then known as Calicut. His early childhood was spent in destitution and poverty. His father, Jan Muhammed Khan, who was a Hindustani musician from Bengal who frequently held concerts in Kerala, deserted his Malayali mother when he was very young, and returned to his native Kolkata. Baburaj thus became fatherless, often singing songs in trains to make a living. But as luck would have it, a policeman, Kunjumuhammed (he was called Kunjumuhammed ika), an enthusiast of music from his native town of Kozhikode, noticing the boy's vocal talents, decided to virtually adopt him.[3][4]

Music career

One of his greatest achievements was the introduction of Hindustani strains into Malayalam popular music. He successfully composed melodies based on Hindustani Ragas and blended Malayalam lyrics into them. Most of the lyrics were written by eminent Malayalam poets like P. Bhaskaran and Vayalar.[5]

Baburaj learned basic lessons of Hindustani music from his father from a very young age, but he could not learn it for long due to his father's demise. In search of pure music, young Baburaj visited West Bengal, Mumbai and Sri Lanka. He learned to play the Harmonium during this period.

He came back to Kerala to a precarious existence. He sang on the streets of Kozhikode to earn his livelihood. Police constable Kunju Muhammed,[6] who was a fan of Baburaj's father, adopted him and brought him up.

Later he started composing music for the Malayalam dramas in the Malabar region and thus slowly entered the field of music direction. In 1957, he composed music for the Malayalam film Minnaminungu, by Ramu Kariat, thus entering the Malayalam film industry. Then he worked with director P. Venu and composed classic songs like "Anuragaganam Pole", "Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha", and "Kalichirimaaratha Penne" for the film Udhyogastha (1967).

Baburaj was also an accomplished singer and harmonium player.

Baburaj died an early death, on 7 October 1978 at the age of 49. His death occurred in a general hospital in Madras. He was survived by his wife and children.

Legacy

The Baburaj – P. Bhaskaran – Yesudas combination produced many of the most memorable Malayalam tunes of the 1960s and 1970s. Most of his classic duets were sung by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki, each recording solo Baburaj compositions as well. Many of Baburaj's songs remain very popular in Kerala, with songs like "Oru Pushpam Maatram" frequently rendered on stage at various events.[7][8][9]

The Manorama Music company chanced upon an old audio cassette of Baburaj rendering some of his own compositions in a platform of friends' circle. The cassette named 'Baburaj Padunnu' was re-mixed and became an instant hit.[10] The tracks gave Kerala a rejuvenated taste of Baburaj's music with his unique style of soulful singing.[11] Though a successful composer, Baburaj was never a careerist, but kept his focus on his art. Today, various clubs and musical organisations conduct stage programs in honour of Baburaj ('Babukka' to his friends and acquaintances[12]), and give the proceeds to his family. During his time, money was not easy to come by for artists,[13] and Baburaj never managed to earn much, dying in poverty. "Thrikkakkare theerthakkare" in the 1978 film Yagaswam, directed by Hariharan, was his last recorded song.[14]

Notable songs
  • Thamasamenthe Varuvan Pranasakhi
  • Oru Pushpam Mathramen Hridayathil Sookshikkam
  • Vaasantha Panjami Naalil
  • Kanneerum Swapnangalum Vilkkuvanaayi Vannavan Njan
  • Eeranuduthumkondambaram Chuttunna
  • Aadiyil Vachanamundaayi
  • Vichana Theerame
  • Innale Mayangumbol
  • Chandramimbam Nenjilettum
  • Pavada prayathil
  • Annu ninte Nunakkuzhi
  • Vellichilankayaninjum
  • Kadali Vazha Kayyilirunnu
  • Surumayezhuthiya Mizhikale
  • Pathiravayilla Pournamikanyakku Pathinezhoe Pathinettoe Prayam
  • Pottatha Ponnin Kinavu Kondoru Pattunoolonjala Ketti Njan
  • Panja Varna Thatha Pole Konji Vanna Penne
  • Pranasakhee Njan Verumoru
  • Thaliritta Kinakkal Than Thamara Maala vangan
  • Thaane Thirinjum Marinjum
  • Sooryakanthee... Sooryakanthee...
  • Oru Kochu Swapnathin Chirakumayi
  • Anuraga Ganam Pole
  • Kadale Neela Kadale
  • Akale Akale Neelakasam
  • Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha
  • Ikkarayanente Thamasam
  • Pottithakarnna kinavinte
  • Anjana Kannezhuthi
  • Arabi Kadaloru Manavalan
  • Kanmani Neeyen
  • Kanmaniye Karayathurangu
  • Kalichirimaaratha Penne
  • Adyathe Kanmani
  • Innente Karalile
  • Oru Kotta Ponnundallo
  • Thankam Vegam
  • Nadikalil Sundari Yamuna
  • Thamarakumbilallo Mama Hrudayam
  • Maamalakalkkappurathu
  • Thedunnathaare shoonyathayil
  • Anuraaga Nadakathin
  • Aadanumariyaam
  • Jeevitheswarikkekuvaanoru
  • Kottum njan keettilla

Filmography

The list of Malayalam films for which songs were composed by Baburaj
  • Aaraadhika 1973
  • Adyathe Kanmani 1962
  • Udhyogastha 1967
  • Virunnukari 1969
  • Agniputhri 1967
  • Allahu Akbar 1977
  • Ambalapraavu 1970
  • Ammu 1965
  • Anaadha 1970
  • Anaarkali 1966
  • Anchusundarikal 1968
  • Anweshichu Kandethiyilla 1967
  • Appooppan (Charithram Aavarthikkunnilla) 1976
  • Azhimukham 1972
  • Baalyakaalasakhi 1967
  • Bhaagyajaathakam 1962
  • Bhaaryaye Aavashyamundu (Samarppanam) 1975
  • Bhadradeepam 1973
  • Bhargaveenilayam 1964
  • Bharthaavu 1964
  • Bheekara Nimishangal 1970
  • Bhrashtu 1978
  • Chettathi 1965
  • Chuzhi 1973
  • Collector Malathi 1967
  • College Beauty 1979
  • Criminals (Kayangal) 1975
  • Cross Belt 1970
  • Dweepu 1977
  • Eranakulam Junction 1971
  • Gaandharvam (Kanakam) 1978
  • Inspector 1968
  • Iruttinte Aathmaavu 1967
  • Kaamini 1974
  • Kaarthika 1968
  • Kaattumallika 1966
  • Kaattuthulasi 1965
  • Kadathukaaran 1965
  • Kanakachilanka 1966
  • Kandambecha Kottu 1961
  • Karutha Kai 1964
  • Karutha Raathrikal 1967
  • Khadeeja 1967
  • Koottukaar 1966
  • Krishna Thulasi 1979
  • Kuppivala 1965
  • Kuttikkuppaayam 1964
  • Kuttyedathi 1971
  • Ladies Hostel 1973
  • Laila Majnu 1962
  • Lakshaprabhu 1968
  • Lora Nee Evide 1971
  • Love in Kerala 1968
  • Maanikyakottaram 1966
  • Maappusaakshi 1972
  • Maayaavi 1965
  • Manassu 1973
  • Manaswini 1968
  • Manpeda 1971
  • Midumidukki 1968
  • Minnaminungu 1957
  • Moodupadam 1963
  • Mudiyanaaya Puthran 1961
  • Nathoon 1974
  • Ninamaninja Kaalppaadukal 1963
  • Njaan Ninne Premikkunnu 1975
  • Olavum Theeravum 1970
  • Paalaattu Koman (Konkiyamma) 1962
  • Panimudakku 1972
  • Pareeksha 1967
  • Penmakkal 1966
  • Poochakkanni 1966
  • Porter Kunjaali 1965
  • Priya 1970
  • Pullimaan 1972
  • Pushpasharam 1976
  • Puthanveedu 1971
  • Raathrivandi 1971
  • Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge 1972
  • Sandhya 1969
  • Saraswathi 1970
  • Sarppakkaadu 1965
  • Soundarya Pooja 1973
  • Srishti 1976
  • Sthreedhanam 1975
  • Subaida 1965
  • Swarnna Malsyam 1975
  • Thacholi Othenan 1964
  • Thankakkudam 1965
  • Tharavaattamma 1966
  • Thommante Makkal 1965
  • Udyogastha 1967
  • Umma 1960
  • Velliyaazhcha 1969
  • Virunnukari 1969
  • Vivaaham Swargathil 1970
  • Minnaminungu 1959
  • Yaagaaswam 1978
  • Yatheem 1977

See also

References
  1. "The Magic of Baburaj". The Hindu. 30 April 2005. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  2. "'Pattupetti' tunes in to Baburaj". The Hindu. 27 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  3. asianetnews (6 October 2012), Interview : VT Muralai (In memory of the late music director M.S. Baburaj), archived from the original on 11 October 2020, retrieved 27 September 2017
  4. Ibrahim Haroon (8 May 2010), M.S. Baburaj, The Mind and the Mith – part 1, retrieved 27 September 2017
  5. "Baburaj Mehfil to enthral music buffs". The New Indian Express. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  6. Kumar, P. K. Ajith (10 May 2016). "Baburaj, through his wife's eyes". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  7. abdul khaise (16 March 2011), MS Baburaj Original Voice.flv, archived from the original on 23 November 2017, retrieved 27 September 2017
  8. Mathrubhumi Kappa TV (23 February 2017), Oru Pushpam – Akshaynath & Rishikesh – Moodtapes – Kappa TV, archived from the original on 11 October 2020, retrieved 27 September 2017
  9. nithyajith (29 June 2009), Idea Star Singer Season 4 Danny Oru pushpam mathram, archived from the original on 11 October 2020, retrieved 27 September 2017
  10. Baburaj Paadunnu, 1 January 2005, archived from the original on 28 September 2017, retrieved 27 September 2017
  11. Nair, Malini. "How Kerala came to embrace the unfamiliar musical genre of ghazals". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  12. "A journey in search of M.S. Baburaj". The Hindu. 22 August 2006. Archived from the original on 24 October 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  13. "Yesudas offers help to composer Baburaj's widow". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Sources

ബാബുരാജ് കരഞ്ഞു; വേദനയില്‍ അവസാനത്തെ ഈണം പിറന്നു... Baburaj, through his wife’s eyes baburaj chudukanneeralen jeevithakatha : Editor:Mustafa Desamangalam : 9788187474753 : Read @ JustBooksclc. ചുടുകണ്ണീരാലെന്‍ ജീവിതകഥ

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