Girish Puthenchery

Girish Puthenchery (1961–2010) was a noted Malayalam lyricist, poet, scriptwriter and screenwriter. He was referred to as the aristocratic lyricist of Malayalam who had a distinctive writing style of his own.He was the former director of Indian Performance Rights Society Malayalam division (IPRS) and governing council member of the Kerala Kalamandalam and kerala Lalithakala Academy. He debuted with the movie Enquiry in 1989.He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist seven times.[1] He also holds the record for writing the highest number of songs in the Malayalam film industry within the briefest period of time.[2] In the past two decades he was worked with almost all major music composers in India and most of his hit songs are with music director Vidyasagar. He died on 10 February 2010 in a private hospital in Kozhikode.[1]

Malayalam Lyricist Girish Puthenchery
Born	1 May 1961 Puthenchery, Ulliyeri Village, Balussery, Kozhikode District,Kerala,
Died	10 February 2010 (aged 48) Kozhikode, Kerala
Nationality	Indian
Other names	Puthan, Gireeshettan, Puthenchery
Alma mater	Govt Arts and Science College Meenchantha
Occupation	Lyricist
Years active	1989–2010
Spouse(s)	Beena ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	2
Awards	Kerala State Film Award Asianet Film Award Film Critics Award Filmfare Award Mathrubhumi Award Film Arts Club Cochin Award Medimix Award Vanitha Award Travancore Club Award
Signature

Life and career

Girish was born to Pulikkool Krishna Panicker and Meenakshi Amma in Puthenchery near Ulliyeri village in Kozhikode district of Kerala . His father was an astrologer and Ayurvedic practitioner. His mother was a Carnatic musician. Girish learned the basic lessons of music from his mother.He completed his primary education at GLP School Puthenchery, AUP School Modakkallur, Palora HSS Ulliyeri and pursed pre degree in Govt arts and science college Meenchantha

From a very young age, Girish was drawn towards the language and Literature of Malayalam .at the age of 14 his first poem is published in a weekly magazine named Mochanam.during his childhood days he is an active member of Balasangam and later he becomes a noted artist of Chenthara Art Committee (A Cultural Club Located in Puthenchery) and he was the one who wrote and directed the Dramas and songs.

He is married to Beena and they have two children, Jithin and Din Nath .His elder son Jithin started off as an assistant director, working on films Breaking News, Money Rathnam, Rock On 2 and Tharangam. Jithin managed to land his first major acting gig after writer director Shankar Ramakrishnan organised an acting camp to select actors for Pathinettam Padi. Jithin also played major roles in the films include Edakkad Bttalion , Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal.[3] His younger son Din Nath started his career as a lyricist who has penned many songs for Malayalam films including Meow Meow Karimpoocha, Matinee , Aasha Black, Money ratnam , Gunday Chennai koottam, Seconds,Moonu Wickettinu 365 Runs, Olappeeppi, Mangalyam Thanthunanena, and he is currently working as an assistant director in Malayalam film industry include the movie Trance.[4] His nephew Sajan K. Ram, is a Malayalam music composer.[5]

Girish started his career with writing Lalitha Ganams for popular cassette Recording Companies include Akashvani , HMV , Magna sounds and Tharangini and he also penned many hit songs for Dooradarshan and Asianet.Girish made his debut in the Malayalam film industry through 1989 Malayalam movie Enquiry which is directed by U.V Raveendranath and Music composed by Rajamani but the songs not become much popular. his breakthrough film was 1992 Jayaraj movie Johnnie Walker, whose track.Shanthamee Rathriyil[6] has become iconic. He was also one of the most honored lyricists, having won the Kerala State Award for best lyricist seven times.

Besides writing lyrics, Girish had also written the screenplay for the films Brahmarakshassu, Pallavur Devanarayanan, Vadakkumnadhan, Kinnaripuzhayoram and story for Meleparambil Aanveedu, Adivaram, Ikkareyanente Manasam, Oro Viliyum Kathorthu and Kerala House Udan Vilpanakku. He also composed music for a Devotional album. He was scripting a film by the name of Raman Police, in which Mohanlal was expected to play the lead role.[7]

In 2019 music director Kailas Menon has paid a musical tribute to Girish Puthenchery, through a song titled "Manju Kaalam Dhoore Manju" in the movie Finals. The track, created from lyrics penned by Girish before his passing, has vocals by Srinivas. The lyrical video was presented by director Ranjith on July 20, 2019[8]

Filmography

Death

Girish Puthenchery, a chronic diabetic and hypertensive patient, was admitted to private hospital on 6 February 2010 after he suffered a stroke.[9] He was twice operated upon, but his condition did not improve and he suffered a brain hemorrhage and died at the hospital on 10 February 2010.[10]

Statue

On 22 October 2020 , Honorable Minister TP Ramakrishnan along with Balussery MLA Purushan Kadalundi unveiled the statue of Girish Puthenchery at Ulliyeri Gramapanchayath Courtyard[11]

Awards

Kerala State Film Award For Best Lyicist
Year	Movie	Song	Composer
1995	Agnidevan	Oru Poovithalin	M.G Radhakrishnan
1997	Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu	Pinneyum Pinneyuym	Vidyasagar
1999	Punaradhivasam	Kanaka Munthirikal	Louis Banks
2001	Ravanaprabhu	Aakasha Deepangal Sakshi	Suresh Peters
2002	Nandanam	Karmukil Varnante Chundil	Raveendran
2003	Gourisankaram	Urangathe Raavurasngi	M.Jayachandran
2004	Kathavasheshan	Kannu Nattu Kathirinnittum	M.Jayachandran

Asianet Film Awards
Year	Movie	Song	Composer
2004	Maampazhakkaalam	Kandu Kandu Kothi	M.Jayachandran
2006	Vadakkumnadhan	Kalabham Tharam	Raveendran
2008	Madambi	Amma Mazhakarinu	M.Jayachandran

Filmfare Award
Year	Movie	Song	Composer
2006	Vadakkumnadhan	Kalabham Tharam	Raveendran
2008	Madambi	Amma Mazhakarinu	M.Jayachandran

References

1. "Prolific lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery passes away". The Hindu. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
2. "Gireesh Puthenchery". malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
3. "18-ാം പടിയില്‍ കലിപ്പ് കാട്ടി കയ്യടി നേടി കലിപ്പൻ ഗിരി; ആരാണെന്നറിയാമോ?". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
4. "ദിന്‍ നാഥ് പുത്തഞ്ചേരി's biography and latest film release news". FilmiBeat (in Malayalam). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
5. "Sajan K. Ram". IMDb. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
6. "Shanthamee Rathriyil... | Johny Walker | Mammootty | Jeet Upendra | Prem Kumar - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
7. "Malayalam lyricist Girish Puthenchery is dead". indiatimes.com. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
8. "'Finals' to have Gireesh Puthenchery's unpublished poem". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
9. "Gireesh Puthenchery died of brain hemorrhage". oneindia.in. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
10. Hooli, By: Shekhar H. (11 February 2010). "Gireesh Puthenchery died of brain hemorrhage". FilmiBeat. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
11. "ഗിരീഷ് പുത്തഞ്ചേരിയുടെ പ്രതിമ അനാച്ഛാദനം ചെയ്‌തു". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 23 October 2020.

External links

• Gireesh Puthenchery at IMDb