K. Raghavan | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Raghavan Master |
| Born | Krishnan Raghavan (1913-12-02)2 December 1913 |
| Died | 19 October 2013(2013-10-19) (aged 99) Thalassery, Kerala, India |
| Genres | Indian classical,light music,mappila songs |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Tabla, keyboards,thambura, drums, vocals |
| Years active | 1950 - 2013 |
| Labels | Gramophone Company India |
Krishnan Raghavan (2 December 1913 – 19 October 2013), also known as Raghavan MasterRaghavan Master, was an Indianmusic composer primarily known for his work inMalayalam cinema and as acarnatic vocalist. Along withG. Devarajan,V. Dakshinamoorthy andBaburaj, Raghavan is credited with contributing to the renaissance of Malayalam film music, pioneering the creation of Malayalam film songs with their own distinct tunes and styles. Before him, Malayalam film songs often imitated popular Hindi and Tamil film songs and old classicalkritis. Raghavan helped establish a new direction and identity for Malayalam film music. He composed around 400 songs inMalayalam cinema over nearly four decades.[1] In 1997, he was honored with theJ. C. Daniel Award, theGovernment of Kerala's highest honor for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
K. Raghavan was born inTellicherry nearKannur in the erstwhileMadras Presidency (present-dayKerala) on 2 December 1913, to folk singer M. Krishnan and Narayani.[2] He began studying classical music in his childhood and also playedfootball. He began his professional career as atambura player inAll India Radio,Madras and in 1950, he was transferred toCalicut, where he became involved with film artists.[3]
Raghavan initiated a new trend in Malayalam film music with the release of the 1954 movieNeelakuyil. Renowned lyricist and Raghavan's friendP. Bhaskaran penned the songs in the film.Neelakkuyil Raghavan also sang one of the songs.Neelakkuyil The songKayalarikathu valayerinjappol became an instant hit.[4]
During his career spanning over four decades, he scored music for more than sixty Malayalam films, and many of his compositions remain classics.[5] Raghavan brought folk elements into Malayalam film music, and his melodies replaced the imitation of popular Hindi tunes that prevailed at the time. He also composed songs for plays by groups such as theKerala People's Arts Club andAll India Radio. Most of his songs were written by P. Bhaskaran, and he introduced many new voices to Malayalam film music, includingK. J. Yesudas,P. Jayachandran,P.Susheela, Mehboob,K. P. Brahmanandan,M. Balamuralikrishna,M. L. Vasanthakumari,A. P. Komala, Gayathri Srikrishnan,Santha P. Nair,A. M. Rajah,K. P. Udayabhanu,M.G. Radhakrishnan,P. B. Sreenivas,Vani Jayaram,Jikki,V. T. Murali,M. G. Sreekumar,K. S. Chithra andSujatha Mohan.
Raghavan was married to Yashoda and had five children: three daughters and two sons. He died at the age of 99 on 19 October 2013 inThalassery.[6] His younger brother, Lakshmanan, predeceased him.
Civilian Awards by Govt. of India
Other Awards
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