Alphons Joseph
Encyclopedia
Alphons Joseph is a music director
and playback singer
in the Malayalam film industry who got a break as a film music composer after composing for the film Vellithira
. Alphons is also noted for singing the famous song "Aaromale
" from the film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, which was composed by A. R. Rahman
.
, Thrissur
, Kerala
, India to a musically affluent Christian
family. His mother was Thankamma and father was Koladi Joseph, a tablist and a singer but by profession, a KSEB sub-engineer. Alphons was the second among their 7 children. His elder brother, Joemon was a pianist and had composed music for two Malayalam films. His younger brother Paulson was a well known exponent of Sitar
and had got first rank in M.A. Hindustani
from Dharwad
university. He was introduced to music by his father's younger brother K. K. Paul, who was a well known violinist. Alphons considers Philip, another talented musician from Thrissur, as his mentor and guru. He was the one who diverted Alphons to Western Classical Music and ghazals.
Alphons had professional training in Carnatic music from Shri. Mangad K. Nadesan (A. I. R) and got 7th grade in classical guitar from London Trinity College of Music
and 5th Grade in Western Music Theory. He took up music as a profession after he received the Kala Prathibha award by Calicut University for the years 1990 and 1992.
He is the lead guitarist, vocalist and one among the founders of Rexband
, a gospel music band with a few albums to their credit. This band experimented a lot in gospel music by blending Western music with Hindustani and Carnatic. They had listeners all over the world and was the only Asian band which got a chance to participate in World Youth Day
. From 2000 onwards, he started working as a composer and a sound engineer in Asia-net Radio 657AM
, a radio station in Dubai
. He worked there even after the release of his first film soundtrack and composed many jingles and title songs as part of his work. Alphons is currently doing a M.A.
in Music
. He is a permanent judge in the Reality Show Amrita TV Superstar 2
. He was a part of A. R. Rahman
's JaiHo Concert - The Journey Home.
, who was looking for a new music director for his movie Vellithira, by Leo Thadevus, a friend of Alphons, who himself later on became a film director. The audio release function of Vellithira was held with several film personalities participating in the grand function including composer A. R. Rahman
who appreciated Alphons for the good orchestration of the songs. The songs especially "Hridayasakhi" and "Nee Manimukiladakal" won him immediate attention. "Kera Nirakal" from Alphons' next film Jalotsavam was a super hit and won him critical accolades. The next superhit from Alphons came with Amal Neerad
directed superhit movie Big B
in which the songs "Vida Parayukayano" sung by Shreya Ghoshal and "Muthu Mazhai" got high acclaims.
and some film songs which had music set by him. But in 2010, Alphons got a big break as a singer for singing "Aaromale
", a song composed by Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman
in the acclaimed soundtrack
for the Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. The film as well as the song became a huge success in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and overseas and the composer called his rendition "soulful". Alphons is now a part of the Jai Ho Concert- The Journey Home World Tour by A.R.Rahman.
Music director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
and playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
in the Malayalam film industry who got a break as a film music composer after composing for the film Vellithira
Vellithira (2003 film)
Vellithira is a 2003 Malayalam film by Bhadran starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Navya Nair.-Plot:A teenager girl named Thatha is living with her blacksmith brother Vakkathi Vasu and his children after the death of her sister in law...
. Alphons is also noted for singing the famous song "Aaromale
Aaromale
"Aaromale" is a Malayalam song from the 2010 Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and Telugu film Ye Maaya Chesave composed by A. R. Rahman, featuring lyrics by Kaithapram. The song is sung by Malayalam composer Alphons Joseph. The song was well received upon release and was a chart...
" from the film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, which was composed by A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
.
Personal life and early career
Alphons was born in 1973 in Kaachery near NadatharaNadathara
Nadathara is a census town in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. Nadathara is Ward 22 of Thrissur Municipal Corporation.-Demographics: India census, Nadathara had a population of 12,593. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%...
, Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India to a musically affluent Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
family. His mother was Thankamma and father was Koladi Joseph, a tablist and a singer but by profession, a KSEB sub-engineer. Alphons was the second among their 7 children. His elder brother, Joemon was a pianist and had composed music for two Malayalam films. His younger brother Paulson was a well known exponent of Sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
and had got first rank in M.A. Hindustani
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from Dharwad
Dharwad
Dharwad, also known as Dharwar, is a city and a DISTRICT PLACE in India's Karnataka state.Dharwad is the administrative seat of the Dharwad District. The municipality of Hubli-Dharwad covers an area of 200.23 km²...
university. He was introduced to music by his father's younger brother K. K. Paul, who was a well known violinist. Alphons considers Philip, another talented musician from Thrissur, as his mentor and guru. He was the one who diverted Alphons to Western Classical Music and ghazals.
Alphons had professional training in Carnatic music from Shri. Mangad K. Nadesan (A. I. R) and got 7th grade in classical guitar from London Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
and 5th Grade in Western Music Theory. He took up music as a profession after he received the Kala Prathibha award by Calicut University for the years 1990 and 1992.
He is the lead guitarist, vocalist and one among the founders of Rexband
Rexband
Rexband is the first Catholic band from the Indian subcontinent to be invited to the World Youth Day performance in 2002 at Toronto. From then, they have been consistently invited for the later World Youth days in 2005 at Cologne, in 2008 at Sydney and in 2011 held at Madrid...
, a gospel music band with a few albums to their credit. This band experimented a lot in gospel music by blending Western music with Hindustani and Carnatic. They had listeners all over the world and was the only Asian band which got a chance to participate in World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
. From 2000 onwards, he started working as a composer and a sound engineer in Asia-net Radio 657AM
Radio and television channels of Dubai
Dubai is the media hub for the Middle East region and is home to many television and radio channels.-Dubai Television:There are a few terrestrial television channels but most people choose from the hundreds of regional channels on offer via satellite or cable.Pay or subscription television in Dubai...
, a radio station in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
. He worked there even after the release of his first film soundtrack and composed many jingles and title songs as part of his work. Alphons is currently doing a M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. He is a permanent judge in the Reality Show Amrita TV Superstar 2
Amrita TV
Amrita TV, launched in 2005, as a 24-hour Malayalam, general entertainment & news satellite channel with a global footprint, has been honoured with 54 State Awards for Excellence in Television—the only channel in India to be bestowed with such a recognition in just two years since inception...
. He was a part of A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
's JaiHo Concert - The Journey Home.
As a music director
Alphons was introduced to director BhadranBhadran (director)
Bhadran is a Malayalam movie director who has many popular hits to his credit. Iyer the Great, Sphadikam, Olympiyan Anthony Adam are some of them...
, who was looking for a new music director for his movie Vellithira, by Leo Thadevus, a friend of Alphons, who himself later on became a film director. The audio release function of Vellithira was held with several film personalities participating in the grand function including composer A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
who appreciated Alphons for the good orchestration of the songs. The songs especially "Hridayasakhi" and "Nee Manimukiladakal" won him immediate attention. "Kera Nirakal" from Alphons' next film Jalotsavam was a super hit and won him critical accolades. The next superhit from Alphons came with Amal Neerad
Amal Neerad
Amal Neerad is an Indian film director, cinematographer, and screenwriter. Began his career as a cinematographer, he also turned into direction in 2007 with Big B.-Early life:...
directed superhit movie Big B
Big B (film)
Big B is a 2007 Malayalam action-thriller film co-written and directed by Amal Neerad, starring Mammootty in the title role. The cinematography was done by Samir Thahir, and the original score was composed by Gopi Sundar, with Alphons Joseph doing the songs....
in which the songs "Vida Parayukayano" sung by Shreya Ghoshal and "Muthu Mazhai" got high acclaims.
As a playback singer
Alphons had sung some songs by his RexbandRexband
Rexband is the first Catholic band from the Indian subcontinent to be invited to the World Youth Day performance in 2002 at Toronto. From then, they have been consistently invited for the later World Youth days in 2005 at Cologne, in 2008 at Sydney and in 2011 held at Madrid...
and some film songs which had music set by him. But in 2010, Alphons got a big break as a singer for singing "Aaromale
Aaromale
"Aaromale" is a Malayalam song from the 2010 Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and Telugu film Ye Maaya Chesave composed by A. R. Rahman, featuring lyrics by Kaithapram. The song is sung by Malayalam composer Alphons Joseph. The song was well received upon release and was a chart...
", a song composed by Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
in the acclaimed soundtrack
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (soundtrack)
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is the soundtrack of the 2010 Tamil romance film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, directed by Gautham Menon. The original score and songs were composed by A. R. Rahman, first time collaborating with Gautham Menon...
for the Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa. The film as well as the song became a huge success in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and overseas and the composer called his rendition "soulful". Alphons is now a part of the Jai Ho Concert- The Journey Home World Tour by A.R.Rahman.
Film scores and soundtracks
| Year | Film | Score | Songs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Vellithira Vellithira (2003 film) Vellithira is a 2003 Malayalam film by Bhadran starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Navya Nair.-Plot:A teenager girl named Thatha is living with her blacksmith brother Vakkathi Vasu and his children after the death of her sister in law... |
|||
| 2004 | Manjupoloru Penkutti Manjupoloru Penkutti Manjupoloru Penkutti is a 2004 Malayalam film about a teenager girl who is abused by her stepfather. The film was directed by Kamal.This movie is a remake of the 2000 movie Crime and Punishment in Suburbia.-Plot:... |
|||
| Jalolsavam | ||||
| 2005 | Iruvattam Manavatti | |||
| Makalkku Makalkku Makalkku is a 2005 Malayalam film, made in India, by Jayaraj, and starring Suresh Gopi and Shobana.Notable Indian singer Adnan Sami performed a song in this movie, which became a superhit. -Plot:... |
||||
| 2007 | Athishayan | |||
| Big B Big B (film) Big B is a 2007 Malayalam action-thriller film co-written and directed by Amal Neerad, starring Mammootty in the title role. The cinematography was done by Samir Thahir, and the original score was composed by Gopi Sundar, with Alphons Joseph doing the songs.... |
||||
| Black Cat Black Cat (2007 film) Black Cat is a 2007 Indian Malayalam action film written and directed by Vinayan and starring Suresh Gopi and Meena.- Cast :* Suresh Gopi ... Black, Ramesh Sharma* Meena Durairaj* Karthika * Rajan P. Dev* Harisree Asokan-External links:... |
One song only | |||
| 2008 | Pachamarathanalil Pachamarathanalil Pachamarathanalil is a film of Revathy Kalamandir written and directed by debutant Leo Thaddeus. It stars Sreenivasan and Padmapriya in the lead roles with Lalu Alex, Lal and Nassar in other pivotal roles. The film's score and soundtrack is written by composer, Alphons Joseph.- Plot... |
|||
| Aayudham | One song only | |||
| 2010 | Aathmakatha | |||
| Cocktail Cocktail (2010 film) Cocktail is a 2010 Malayalam thriller film edited and directed by Arun Kumar. The film stars Jayasurya, Anoop Menon, Samvrutha Sunil, Fahad Fazil, Innocent, and Mamukkoya. It is co-written by Anoop Menon and is an uncredited remake of the Canadian film Butterfly on a Wheel... |
Two songs only | |||
| Elektra Elektra (2010 film) Elektra is a 2010 Malayalam psychological drama film co-written and directed by Shyamaprasad, starring Nayantara, Manisha Koirala, Prakash Raj, Biju Menon and Skanda Ashok. It was produced by N. B... |
||||
| 2011 | Payyans | |||
| Seniors | Filming, One song only | |||
| Casanova Casanova (2011 film) The soundtrack features four songs composed by Gopi Sundar, Alphons Joseph and Gowri Lakshmi, with lyrics by Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma and Gowri Lakshmi... |
Filming, Two songs only | |||
| Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action is 2011 Malayalam film, starring tamil actor Srikanth and Honey Rose. It is a sequel to the 1993 film Uppukandam Brothers... |
Filming | |||
| Asuravithu Asuravithu Asuravithu is an upcoming Malayalam film written and directed by A. K. Sajan after the film Stop Violence, starring Asif Ali in the title role of Don Bosco.-Cast:* Asif Ali as Don Bosco* Janvy* Samvrutha Sunil* Biju Menon* Jagathy Sreekumar... |
Filming, songs only |
Playback singing
| Year | Song | Film | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Velichathin Vellithooval" | Vellithira Vellithira (2003 film) Vellithira is a 2003 Malayalam film by Bhadran starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Navya Nair.-Plot:A teenager girl named Thatha is living with her blacksmith brother Vakkathi Vasu and his children after the death of her sister in law... |
Himself |
| 2005 | "Kanneeril Pidayum" | Iruvattam Manavatti | |
| 2007 | "Oru Vakkum" | Big B Big B (film) Big B is a 2007 Malayalam action-thriller film co-written and directed by Amal Neerad, starring Mammootty in the title role. The cinematography was done by Samir Thahir, and the original score was composed by Gopi Sundar, with Alphons Joseph doing the songs.... |
|
| 2010 | "Aaromale Aaromale "Aaromale" is a Malayalam song from the 2010 Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and Telugu film Ye Maaya Chesave composed by A. R. Rahman, featuring lyrics by Kaithapram. The song is sung by Malayalam composer Alphons Joseph. The song was well received upon release and was a chart... " |
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa | A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and... |
| Ye Maaya Chesave Ye Maaya Chesave Ye Maaya Chesave is a 2010 Telugu-language romantic drama written and directed by Gautham Menon. The film stars Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead roles. It was produced by Manjula Ghattamaneni under the banner Indira Productions, and features a very successful music soundtrack... |
|||
| "Pontharakame" | Aathmakatha | Himself | |
| "Vennilavinumivide" | Cocktail Cocktail (2010 film) Cocktail is a 2010 Malayalam thriller film edited and directed by Arun Kumar. The film stars Jayasurya, Anoop Menon, Samvrutha Sunil, Fahad Fazil, Innocent, and Mamukkoya. It is co-written by Anoop Menon and is an uncredited remake of the Canadian film Butterfly on a Wheel... |
||
| "Lets Dance" | Elektra Elektra (2010 film) Elektra is a 2010 Malayalam psychological drama film co-written and directed by Shyamaprasad, starring Nayantara, Manisha Koirala, Prakash Raj, Biju Menon and Skanda Ashok. It was produced by N. B... |
||
| "Ormathan" | Thriller | Dharan Dharan (music director) Dharan is an Indian music composer, who mainly produces film scores and soundtracks in the Tamil film industry. He rose to fame with Parijatham, featuring the hit single "Unnai Kandene", which marked his debut as a film score composer.-Early life:... |
|
| "Angine Angine" | Puthumukhangal Puthumukhangal Puthumukhangal is a 2010 Malayalam film directed by debutants Don Alex and Biju Majeed. The film features new-comers in the lead roles.-Cast:* Thushar* Sarassi* Sandeep Menon* Ameera* Ragini Dwivedi* Suraj Venjaramood* Innocent* Salim Kumar... |
Shyam Dharman | |
| 2011 | "Doore Vazhiyirulukayaayi" | Payyans Payyans The songs of the film are composed by Alphons Joseph with lyrics penned by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri , Anil Panachooran. The background score for the film is composed by Rahulraj.-Box office:... |
Himself |
Awards and recognitions
- Alphons was awarded the 2004 Film Critics Award for the song Kera Nirakal from the movie Jalolsavam.
- 2011 Amrita TV FEFKA Film Awards - Best Music Director award for the songs of the movie "Atmakadha".
- 2011 Vijay TV Music Awards - Best Debut Singer award for the song Aaromale.
- 2011 L-Channel Film & TV Awards - Best Music Director award for the songs of "Cocktail".
- 2011 Pala Communications Yuva Prathibha Awards - For all the achievements in the year 2010.
- 2011 Radio mirchi music Awards - Best Singer Nomination for VTV Song Aaromale.
- Malayalam music maestro RaveendranRaveendranM. Raveendran , fondly called as "Raveendran Master" was a popular South Indian music composer and Playback singer from Kerala. He was always referred to as the aristocratic music director of Malayalam who had a distinctive style of his own. He composed more than 150 films primarily for the...
commented about Alphons that he is a ‘a composer to watch out for’.
External links
- Joseph , Alphons at the Malayalam Movie Database
- Profile of Alphons Joseph