Bichu Thirumala
Bichu Thirumala | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | B. Sivasankaran Nair 13 February 1942 |
| Died | 26 November 2021 (aged 79) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1972–2021 |
| Spouse | Prasanna Kumari |
| Children | Suman Bichu |
| Awards |
|
Bhaskaran Sivasankaran Nair (13 February 1942 – 26 November 2021), better known by his stage name Bichu Thirumala, was an Indian lyricist and poet who worked predominantly in Malayalam cinema.[1] He wrote lyrics for a number of composers and won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist twice.
Personal life
Bichu Thirumala was born as B. Sivasankaran Nair, to C. G. Bhaskaran Nair and Parukutty Amma of Sasthamangalam Pattanikkunnu house in Thirumala, Thiruvananthapuram.
Sivasankaran was the eldest of eight children born to Parameswaran Nair and Shanthakumari Amma. His siblings included singer Susheela Devi and music director Darshan Raman. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from University College, Thiruvananthapuram. He was married to Prasanna (who retired as a finance officer of Kerala Water Authority), and their son, Suman Bichu, is a music director.[2]
Career
Bichu Thirumala made his debut as a lyricist with the Malayalam film Bhaja Govindam (1972), directed by C. R. K. Nair, with music composed by Jaya–Vijaya. He subsequently became one of Malayalam cinema's leading lyricists, writing songs for composers including Shyam, A. T. Ummer, Raveendran, G. Devarajan, and Ilaiyaraaja. During the 1970s, he collaborated extensively with Ummer. He also wrote the lyrics for A. R. Rahman's only Malayalam film soundtrack, Yodha (1992), and the advertising jingle "Manam Pole Mangalyam" for Remanika.[3]
Bichu wrote the song "Olathumbathirunnu" from Pappayude Swantham Appoos in memory of his younger brother Balagopalan, who died at a young age.[4]
Although his debut film, Bhaja Govindam, was never released, its song "Brahma Muhoorthathil" gained popularity as a lalitha ganam (light music) and was regularly broadcast by Radio Ceylon during the early 1970s.[5]
In addition to film songs, Bichu wrote Christian devotional music. His notable works include Parishudha Gaanangal, an album released by Tharangini Records, which featured the Christmas song "Pulkudilil Kalthottiyil" and "Niranam Palayoor", a song about the seven-and-a-half ancient churches of Kerala.[6]
Death
Following a serious accident at his home in 1994, Bichu Thirumala's songwriting career declined. He was admitted to S. K. Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram with breathing difficulties and suffered a heart attack.[7] After being placed on ventilator support, he died on 26 November 2021 at the age of 79.[8] He was cremated with full state honours at Santhikavadam Crematorium in Thiruvananthapuram and was survived by his wife and son.[9]
Awards
| Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Movie | Song | Composer |
| 1981 | Thrishna | - | Shyam |
| Thenum Vayampum | - | Raveendran | |
| 1991 | Kadinjool Kalyanam | ||
Other awards
- Critics Award
- Film Fans Award
- Stallion International Award
- Vamadevan Award
- Sree Chithirathirunal Award
- P.Bhaskaran Award
References
- ↑ "Bichu Thiruamala: The writer of dreams". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ↑ "CiniDiary". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
- ↑ "Manampole Mangalyam | REMANIKA TV COMMERCIAL | Bichu Thirumala | Rajeev Menon | P. Susheela | 1990". YouTube. 26 December 2021.
- ↑ "Olathumbathu | PAPPAYUDE SWANTHAM APPOOS | Bichu Thirumala | Ilayaraja | S. Janaki | 1992". YouTube. 26 March 2020.
- ↑ Staff, T. N. M. (26 November 2021). "Veteran Malayalam lyricist and poet Bichu Thirumala passes away". The News Minute. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- ↑ Tharangini Sound of arts Dubai (4 December 2022). SACRED SONGS | BICHU THIRUMALA | കെ ജെ യേശുദാസ് | Remastered Christian Devotional Series Part 1. Retrieved 5 July 2026 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Malayalam lyricist Bichu Thirumala passes away at 79 | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ↑ "Noted Malayalam lyricist Bichu Thirumala no more". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ↑ Praveen, S. R. (26 November 2021). "Malayalam lyricist Bichu Thirumala passes away". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
External links
- Bichu Thirumala at IMDb
- Bichu Thirumala discography at Discogs