R K Damodaran

R. K. Damodaran (Malayalam: ആർ കെ ദാമോദരൻ) (born on 1 August 1953) is a poet and lyricist[2] who has worked predominantly in the Malayalam movie industry. He also worked as a journalist in Mathrubhumi from 1982 to 2013. He has written lyrics for almost 3600 songs in devotional, political, environmental, drama, and light music genres, including two Sanskrit songs. He has worked in more than 100 Malayalam films[3][4] and written songs like Ravivarma Chithrathin, Thalam Thettiya Tharatt, Manjil Chekkerum, Sukham, Chandrakiranathin Chandanamunnum, Thani Thankakkinapponkal, Pakalppoove.

[1]

R K Damodaran
Born (1953-08-01) 1 August 1953
Kochi, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
TitlePoet, lyricist, composer
Spouse(s)Rajalakshmi
ChildrenAnagha
Websiterkdamodaran.com

Career

Damodaran, hailing from Manjapra in Palakkad district, studied BA Malayalam at [[Maharajas College,[5] Kochi]] and Sanskrit language at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kochi. He entered the film music world in the year 1977, when he was a second year BA student at Maharaja's College. "Ravivarma Chithrathin Rathi Bhavame" for the movie ‘Raju Rahim’ in the year 1978 (recorded on 1977 November 2'nd Wednesday at AVM-C theatre Chennai) was his debut song. Soon he carved out a name for himself in the Malayalam movie industry. During a career spanning over four decades,[6] RK has penned 118 film songs and has worked with music masters like Dakshinamurthy, Devarajan Master, M. S. Viswanathan, Ilayaraja, Arjunan Master, Johnson, Raveendran, Syam, S. P. Venkitesh, Jerry Amaldev, Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath, Vidyadharan, Mohan Sithara, T. S. Radhakrishnan, Vidya Sagar, K.P. Udayabhanu, M. Jayachandran, Deepak Dev, Berny-Ignatious and so on. The film titled ‘Cleopatra’ released in 2013, stands as his last film.[7]

Besides writing lyrics for Malayalam movies, he also published four books. Out of these, two were collection of his poetry - "Athunathanam" and "Kadharaavaneeyam". The other two were devotional song collections namely "Amme Narayana" and "Aravana Madhuram". Apart from the books RK wrote two dramas, Poorapparambu and Kannakiyude Mula. He has also learned Chenda, Kerala’s traditional percussion instrument, from Babu Kanjilasseri of Kozhikode.

RK had been selected as a member of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy during 2001 to 2004 which is run by the Government of Kerala. Since 2012 RK is an executive member of Bharat Bhavan which is under the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala. He is also an executive member of Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishad since 2016.

Personal life

RK Damodaran was born to Manjapra Kothanath Chirayil Kalathil Ramankutty Nair and Palakkad Pallatheri Kappadathu Puthanveettil Kalyani Kutti Amma on 1 August 1953 in Kochi. He is deeply influenced by the fertile cultural landscape of his family place. RK is married to Rajalakshmy (native of North Paravoor), who was his classmate at Maharaja's college, on 7 June 1985. They have a daughter named Anagha (b. 1986). They are currently residing at Kochi, Kerala.[8]

Awards

These are some of the awards and achievements in the career life of R. K. Damodaran.

  • Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Kalasree Award - 2013[9]
  • Kunjunni Master Award for poetry - 2008
  • Vaadya Mithra Award with Suvarna Mudra - 2006
  • Kesava Poduval Smaraka Puraskaram - 2018
  • Pavakulathamma Award -2018[10]
  • P.Gokulapalan Sankam Kala Group Award -2017
  • Thirumantham Kunnu Neerajanam Award- 2014
  • Parasseri Meen Kulathi Bhagavathi Temple’s Bhadrapriya Award - 2014
  • Paloor Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple Award - 2014
  • Akhila Bharathiya Ayappa Samithi Award - 2014
  • Pattambi Sreethali Mahadeva Puraskaram- 2013
  • Oottoor Unni Namboothirippadu Smaraka Puraskaram- 2011
  • Kashypa Veda Research Foundation Award - 2010
  • Mayilppeeli Award from Guruvayoor - 2010
  • Thathvamasi Award - 2010
  • Pambadi Pambumkavu Sree Nagaraja Puraskaram - 2009
  • Jaycey Foundation Award - 2005
  • Kerala Film Audience Council Award - 2004 & 2005
  • Sangam Kala Group Award - 2003
  • MTV Award and Smrithi Award - 2002
  • Harivarasanam Award - 2001
  • Drisya Award - 2000, 2002, 2004 & 2007
  • Malayalam Tele Viewers Association Award - 2000
  • Ayyappa Ganasree Award - 1994
  • IPTA Award for the Best National Integration Song - 1992
  • Nana Miniscreen Award - 1991
  • Chottanikkara narayana Marar memorial NAVA NAARAAYAM award-2018

References
  1. Damodaran, R K. "R K Damodaran". Official Website. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  2. Suresh, Meera (9 November 2017). "R K Damodaran: Four decades of finest verses". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. "List of Malayalam Songs written by RK Damodaran". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  4. "Exclusive biography of #RKDamodaran". FilmiBeat. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  5. "'Sahityavedi' held at Maharaja's College".
  6. "40 years of RK Damodaran". 2 November 2017.
  7. "ക്ലിയോപാട്രയുടെ വിശേഷങ്ങളുമായി ആര്‍.കെ ദാമോദരന്‍". www.mathrubhumi.com.
  8. "R K Damodaran". rkdamodaran.com.
  9. "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi announces Kalashri awards". 10 November 2013 – via www.thehindu.com.
  10. "Pavakulathamma Award for R K Dhamodharan". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
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