Johnson (composer)
Encyclopedia
Johnson (26 March 1953 – 18 August 2011) was an India
n film score
composer and music director
who has given music
to some of the most important motion pictures of Malayalam cinema
, including those for Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
, Vadakkunokkiyantram, Perumthachan
, Amaram
, Njan Gandharvan
, Ponthan Mada
, and Bhoothakkannadi
. He was noted for his lyrical and expressive melodies together with simple but rich tonal compositions of thematic music. Johnson is a recipient of National Film Awards
twice and Kerala State Film Awards five times.
He started his career as an assistant to G. Devarajan
in 1970s, and debuted as an independent composer in late seventies with Aaravam. He was a recurrent collaborator for directors Padmarajan
, Bharathan
, Sathyan Anthikkad
, T. V. Chandran
, Kamal, Lohithadas, Balachandra Menon
and Mohan. He has composed music for more than 300 Malayalam films, the most by any composer except for Devarajan. He died at Chennai
on August 18, 2011 due to a heart attack.
, Kerala, on 26 March 1953. His father was a bank employee. Johnson was a singer in the choir of Nellikkunnu St. Sebastian's Church. He obtained training in guitar
and harmonium
from his colleagues during this early periods itself. He used to sing in youth festivals and musical shows and joined the orchestra team of some local troupes and played harmonium in many concerts. He also used to sing in the female voice in ganamelas(a stage show where film songs are sung by local or proffessional artists).
In 1968, Johnson and his friends formed a club named Voice of Thrissur. Johnson was the main instrumentalist in the club where he played wide varieties of instruments - guitar, harmonium, flute
, drums
and violin
.
Within a few years, the club became one of the most sought after musical troups in Kerala, and had more than fifty members. This club used to give accompaniment music to playback singers Jayachandran
and Madhuri
in their musical shows. It was Jayachandran who introduced Johnson to G. Devarajan
, one of the most prolific composers of South Indian cinema then. Devarajan literally adopted Johnson and brought him to Chennai
in 1974. Johnson bought an accordion
, during this period, from R. K. Shekhar
(A. R. Rahman
's father), and began assisting Devarajan in filmscoring and composing. The "Johnson effect" can be easily noted in Devarajan's songs and film scores of this period.
's Aaravam (1978), Thakara
(1980) and Chamaram
(1980). He composed his first soundtracks for the film Inaye Thedi, debut film of director turned still photographer Antony Eastman and actress Silk Smitha
. It was Devarajan himself, who suggested Johnson to the director. Then came Bharathan
's Parvathi and Balachandra Menon
's Premageethangal. Premageethangal was a notable success with four of its songs - "Swapnam Verumoru Swapnam", "Nee Nirayoo Jeevanil", "Muthum Mudipponnum" and "Kalakalamozhi" attaining cult status.
He came to prominence through his collaboration with Malayalam author and director Padmarajan
. Koodevide
was their first venture, which had one of the most famous songs of Johnson "Aadivaa Kaatte", a pathbreaking song in Malayalam music history. It was one of the first songs in Malayalam to have a grant orchestral score and the song was born out of Padmarajan's need for a western song for his innovative film. Song composition took place in Woodland's Hotel, Chennai
. Another notable feature of this song was the lyrics by O. N. V. Kurup
, who for the first time wrote lyrics for a pre-composed song. Johnson worked for 17 films with Padmarajan, including his last film Njan Gandharvan
. This productive collaboration saw the detailed screenplay and cinematography of Padmarajan become a fertile ground for expressive musical narration and thematic scores for Johnson. This is seen in some of the greatest motion pictures of Malayalam cinema, like Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
(1986), Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
(1987), Nombarathipoovu (1987) and Perumthachan
(1990). Another notable collaboration of Johnson was with director Sathyan Anthikkad
, with whom he associated in almost 25 films. He was able to provide some of his most popular songs with Anthikkad and this combo is widely accepted to be one of the greatest director-composer collaborations in Malayalam cinema. Acclaimed Malayalam director Bharathan
also collabrated with him in multiple films including Parvathy, Palangal
, Ormakkayi
, Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Ente Upasana, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
, Ozhivukalam, Malootty
, Chamayam
and Churam
. His major other collaborations with directors include Mohan (Oru Katha Oru Nunakkatha, Sakshyam, Pakshe
and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu), Sibi Malayil
(Kireedam, Chenkol
, Dasaratham and Nee Varuvolam), Sreenivasan (Vadakkunokkiyantram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
), Lohithadas (Bhoothakkannadi
and Arayannangalude Veedu), Kamal (Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
, Shubhayathra
, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu
and Paavam Paavam Rajakumaran), and Balachandra Menon
(Shesham Kazhchayil, Premageethangal, Kilukilukkam and Kelkatha Shabdam).
He is also noted for his collaboration with the Malayalam lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. Their association began in 1989 with Sathyan Anthikkad
's social satire Varavelpu
. Most of Jonhnson's notable works came in late eighties and early nineties. In 1991, he scored a record number of 31 films, including 29 with Kaithapram. Johnson won National awards for two consecutive years. He won his first National Award in 1994 for the motion picture Ponthan Mada
(1993). The next year he got his second award for Sukrutham
. Both the awards were for the background score in films.
After an extremely successful career of more than a decade, Johnson took a sabattical from film scoring by the end of nineties. The quality and quantity of his works began perishing during this time. By the beginning of 2000s, he didn't sign any new projects that even his most noted collaborator Sathyan Anthikkad had to find a new composer. In 2004, he sang the song "Theekuruvi" from Kangalal Kaidhu Sei
, which was composed by A. R. Rahman
. Perhaps it is the only song recorded by him for any composer. He returned strongly to the field with Photographer
in 2006, which fetched him numerous awards.
, K. S. Chithra
and Sujatha
. His second album Onathappan, a collaboration with M. G. Radhakrishnan
and Berny-Ignatius
, consisted of nine festival songs. The track "Mundon Paadam" was composed by Johnson, sung by M. G. Sreekumar
and had lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala
. His third album Nannipoorvam Johnson, consisted of twelve tracks - "Chandanakkavilinnu", "Panineeru Peyyum", "Vasundhare", "Virunnu Vanna", "Prapanjam Sundaram", "Enthe Nee Varathe", "Nilasandhyayil", "Veruthe Onnu", "Ponnazhikkuttu", "Pranayappirave", "Kalindhi", and an introductory speech by Sreenivasan. In 2009, he released his second Christian devotional album entitled Parishudhan. It had eleven tracks - "Vazhiyum Sathyavum Nee Thanne (Vijay Yesudas
), "Mullukal Kuthi" (Chithra), "Ariyathe Polum" (G. Venugopal
), "Neethimanayavane" (Sujatha
), "Traditional song" (Louis), "Mazhayum Veyilum" (Rimi Tomy), "Oru Viral Sparshathal (Sudheep), "Loka Palaka" (Chithra), Neethanthamam (Vijay Yesudas), and "Kannukalil Theliyum" (Manjari).
in his songs. Most of his songs were composed on Kalyani raga
.
Johnson's favourite male singer was K. J. Yesudas
, who has recorded many songs for him, while S. Janaki
and K. S. Chithra
were his favourite female singers. Chithra had some of her most noted songs with Johnson.
Johnson is fondly called Johnson Master (Johnson Mashu) by Malayalee audiences. He is affectionately described as the "John Williams of Malayalam cinema", after the Hollywood composer John Williams.
for the films Ponthan Mada
(1994) and Sukrutham
(1995). Johnson is the only composer to receive this rarely given award twice. He was the first Malayalee music composer to receive an award in music category and is also the only Malayalee music director who received two national awards in music category. Actually his first national award for Ponthan Mada
, not only for background score but also for Best Music Composer. This film has one song Adimarunge ayyayya (അടിമരുങ്ങേ അയ്യയ്യാ) lyrics by O. N. V. Kurup
and sung by K. S. Chithra
and chorus composed by Johnson
. This is a folk song. National film award committee noted that he brilliantly conceive western folk tunes into this song. So award given for best music direction and background score of this film. He has received three Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
, for the films Ormakkayi
(1982), Vadakkunokkiyantram and Mazhavil Kavadi (1989), and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu (1999). He was awarded the Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music
for the films Sadayam
(1992) and Sallapam
(1996). He has thus received five Kerala State Film Awards in music category, an achievement he shares with Devarajan. He has received the Kerala Film Critics Awards four times, the most recent in 2008 for Gulmohar
. In 2007, he won the Mathruboomi Award for Best Music Director for Photographer
(2006). He won the Mullasserry Raju Music Award for the song "Enthe Kannanu Karuppu Niram", also from the same film. In addition, he has received numerous other awards and nominations including Devarajan Master Memorial Award and Raveendran Master Memorial Award.
on 18 August 2011 at the age of 58, due to a heart attack. The Government of Kerala gave all official honours for his funeral which was held in his hometown, Thrissur. He is survived by his wife - Rani Johnson, daughter - Shan Johnson and son - Renn Johnson.
, Johnson listed the following 13 songs as his favourite songs.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
composer and music director
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...
who has given 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...
to some of the most important motion pictures of Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...
, including those for Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is a landmark film in Malayalam cinema written and directed by Padmarajan. The film is noted for its rich and detailed screenplay, expressive cinematography and flowing musical narration...
, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam is a 1987 Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and starring Nedumudi Venu, Sharada and Parvathy. The film is about an elderly teacher couple, who bring up a girl with devotion — only to lose her as well as her son...
, Vadakkunokkiyantram, Perumthachan
Perumthachan (film)
Perumthachan literally means "The Great Carpenter" is a Kerala State Film Award winning film released in 1990. This movie was also nominated for Golden Leopard Award...
, Amaram
Amaram
Amaram is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by A. K. Lohithadas, starring Mammootty, Murali, Maathu, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Balan K. Nair, Ashokan, Chitra, and Kuthiravattam Pappu in the main roles. The film score is composed by Johnson while the songs are by Raveendran.The...
, Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....
, Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada is a 1994 Malayalam-language Indian feature film written and directed by T. V. Chandran. The film stars Mammootty and Naseeruddin Shah.-Plot:...
, and Bhoothakkannadi
Bhoothakkannadi
Bhoothakkannadi is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Lohithadas. It tells the story of Vidyadharan , a clocksmith's incapability to deal with the harsh realities of his life. This was Lohithadas's first movie as a director and was critically acclaimed. Lohithadas won the Indira Gandhi Award for...
. He was noted for his lyrical and expressive melodies together with simple but rich tonal compositions of thematic music. Johnson is a recipient of National Film Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
twice and Kerala State Film Awards five times.
He started his career as an assistant to G. Devarajan
G. Devarajan
Paravoor Govindan Devarajan , popularly known as G. Devarajan or Devarajan master, was a noted Malayalam music composer, died on March 15, 2006 in Chennai, at the age of 80....
in 1970s, and debuted as an independent composer in late seventies with Aaravam. He was a recurrent collaborator for directors Padmarajan
Padmarajan
P. Padmarajan was an Indian author, screenwriter, and film director who contributed in Malayalam language. Padmarajan was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam, along with Bharathan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed...
, Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...
, Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikad is an Indian film director and screenwriter known primarily for his family based Malayalam films.He has created many critical and commercially successful films, especially when working with Sreenivasan as the scriptwriter...
, T. V. Chandran
T. V. Chandran
T. V. Chandran is an Indian filmmaker, script writer, and actor. He is most known for his art-house films which have references to history and undertones of politics and feminism...
, Kamal, Lohithadas, Balachandra Menon
Balachandra Menon
Balachandra Menon is an Indian film actor, director, script writer, lyricist, and producer who works in Malayalam cinema. He made some popular films in the 1980s and 1990s...
and Mohan. He has composed music for more than 300 Malayalam films, the most by any composer except for Devarajan. He died at Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
on August 18, 2011 due to a heart attack.
Early life
Johnson was born in a musically affluent Christian family in Nellikkunnu, ThrissurThrissur
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, on 26 March 1953. His father was a bank employee. Johnson was a singer in the choir of Nellikkunnu St. Sebastian's Church. He obtained training in guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
from his colleagues during this early periods itself. He used to sing in youth festivals and musical shows and joined the orchestra team of some local troupes and played harmonium in many concerts. He also used to sing in the female voice in ganamelas(a stage show where film songs are sung by local or proffessional artists).
In 1968, Johnson and his friends formed a club named Voice of Thrissur. Johnson was the main instrumentalist in the club where he played wide varieties of instruments - guitar, harmonium, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
.
Within a few years, the club became one of the most sought after musical troups in Kerala, and had more than fifty members. This club used to give accompaniment music to playback singers Jayachandran
Jayachandran
Paliyath Jayachandran, popularly known as P. Jayachandran is an Indian playback singer. He has won one National Award, four Kerala State Awards and four Tamil Nadu State Awards. He has recorded songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi languages...
and Madhuri
P. Madhuri
P. Madhuri is a renowned South Indian playback singer. She has sung songs in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. She has twice won Kerala State Film Award for best playback singer.-Early life:...
in their musical shows. It was Jayachandran who introduced Johnson to G. Devarajan
G. Devarajan
Paravoor Govindan Devarajan , popularly known as G. Devarajan or Devarajan master, was a noted Malayalam music composer, died on March 15, 2006 in Chennai, at the age of 80....
, one of the most prolific composers of South Indian cinema then. Devarajan literally adopted Johnson and brought him to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
in 1974. Johnson bought an accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
, during this period, from R. K. Shekhar
R. K. Shekhar
Rajagopala Kulasekara Shekhar was a Tamil Indian music composer, who worked for Malayalam and Tamil movies. He composed music for 52 films, and was the music conductor for more than 100 films. He is best known as the father of music composer A. R. Rahman....
(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 father), and began assisting Devarajan in filmscoring and composing. The "Johnson effect" can be easily noted in Devarajan's songs and film scores of this period.
Film scoring and soundtracks
Johnson began his independent career by composing the film scores of BharathanBharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...
's Aaravam (1978), Thakara
Thakara
Thakara is a famous Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by Padmarajan.- Cast :*Prathap K. Pothan ... Thakara*Surekha ... Subhashini*Nedumudi Venu ... Chellappanasari*K.G. Menon ... Mathu Mooppan...
(1980) and Chamaram
Chamaram
Chaamaram is a 1980 Malayalam film written by John Paul Puthusery and directed by Bharathan starring Nedumudi Venu, Zarina Wahab, Prathap K. Pothan, Ratheesh. The story is about the tumultuous affair between a student and his college lecturer, an uncommon type of love story in Indian Cinema. This...
(1980). He composed his first soundtracks for the film Inaye Thedi, debut film of director turned still photographer Antony Eastman and actress Silk Smitha
Silk Smitha
Silk Smitha was an Indian film actress. She became a movie extra and subsequently the most wanted heroine of the early 80s. The sobriquet "Silk" came in 1979, with her first Tamil film Vandi Chakkaram, in which she played a bar girl named Silk...
. It was Devarajan himself, who suggested Johnson to the director. Then came Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...
's Parvathi and Balachandra Menon
Balachandra Menon
Balachandra Menon is an Indian film actor, director, script writer, lyricist, and producer who works in Malayalam cinema. He made some popular films in the 1980s and 1990s...
's Premageethangal. Premageethangal was a notable success with four of its songs - "Swapnam Verumoru Swapnam", "Nee Nirayoo Jeevanil", "Muthum Mudipponnum" and "Kalakalamozhi" attaining cult status.
He came to prominence through his collaboration with Malayalam author and director Padmarajan
Padmarajan
P. Padmarajan was an Indian author, screenwriter, and film director who contributed in Malayalam language. Padmarajan was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam, along with Bharathan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed...
. Koodevide
Koodevide
Koodevide? is a 1983 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Suhasini, Mammootty and Rahman who makes his debut. The plot of the film is loosely based on a Tamil novel by Vasanthi.-Plot:...
was their first venture, which had one of the most famous songs of Johnson "Aadivaa Kaatte", a pathbreaking song in Malayalam music history. It was one of the first songs in Malayalam to have a grant orchestral score and the song was born out of Padmarajan's need for a western song for his innovative film. Song composition took place in Woodland's Hotel, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. Another notable feature of this song was the lyrics by O. N. V. Kurup
O. N. V. Kurup
Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup , popularly known as O. N. V. Kurup or simply O. N. V., is a Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, India, who won Jnanpith Award,the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. He is considered one of the finest living lyrical poets in India. O. N....
, who for the first time wrote lyrics for a pre-composed song. Johnson worked for 17 films with Padmarajan, including his last film Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....
. This productive collaboration saw the detailed screenplay and cinematography of Padmarajan become a fertile ground for expressive musical narration and thematic scores for Johnson. This is seen in some of the greatest motion pictures of Malayalam cinema, like Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is a landmark film in Malayalam cinema written and directed by Padmarajan. The film is noted for its rich and detailed screenplay, expressive cinematography and flowing musical narration...
(1986), Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam is a 1987 Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and starring Nedumudi Venu, Sharada and Parvathy. The film is about an elderly teacher couple, who bring up a girl with devotion — only to lose her as well as her son...
(1987), Nombarathipoovu (1987) and Perumthachan
Perumthachan (film)
Perumthachan literally means "The Great Carpenter" is a Kerala State Film Award winning film released in 1990. This movie was also nominated for Golden Leopard Award...
(1990). Another notable collaboration of Johnson was with director Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikad is an Indian film director and screenwriter known primarily for his family based Malayalam films.He has created many critical and commercially successful films, especially when working with Sreenivasan as the scriptwriter...
, with whom he associated in almost 25 films. He was able to provide some of his most popular songs with Anthikkad and this combo is widely accepted to be one of the greatest director-composer collaborations in Malayalam cinema. Acclaimed Malayalam director Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...
also collabrated with him in multiple films including Parvathy, Palangal
Palangal
Palangal is a 1982 Malayalam film written by John Paul Puthusery and directed by Bharathan starring Nedumudi Venu, Zarina Wahab, Bharath Gopi and Shankar...
, Ormakkayi
Ormakkayi
Ormakkayi is a 1982 Malayalam movie directed by Bharathan and written by John Paul, starring Bharath Gopi, Madhavi, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu and K P A C Lalitha in the leading roles.-Plot:...
, Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Ente Upasana, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam is a 1987 Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and starring Nedumudi Venu, Sharada and Parvathy. The film is about an elderly teacher couple, who bring up a girl with devotion — only to lose her as well as her son...
, Ozhivukalam, Malootty
Malootty
Malootty is a 1992 Malayalam drama film by Bharathan, starring Jayaram, Urvashi and Shamili who is the younger sister of Shalini. It based on the rescue of Jessica McClure in 1987 events set in the 1980s when a girl was trapped in a hole; she later survived after many hours. The title drawings were...
, Chamayam
Chamayam
Chamayam is a 1993 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan, and starring Manoj K. Jayan, Murali and Sithara in the lead roles.-Cast:*Manoj K. Jayan as Anto*Murali as Esthappan Aasan*Sithara as Liza*Ranjitha as Ammu*Saikumar as Charlie...
and Churam
Churam
Churam is a 1997 Malayalam film by Bharathan starring Manoj K. Jayan and Divya Unni in the lead roles. This is one of last films of Bharathan before his death.-Plot:...
. His major other collaborations with directors include Mohan (Oru Katha Oru Nunakkatha, Sakshyam, Pakshe
Pakshe
Pakshe is a 1994 Malayalam romantic drama film written by Venu Nagavally and directed by Mohan. It stars Mohanlal and Shobhana in the lead roles. Though a usually repeated story in Malayalam films, the director is successful in saying the story in the most heart-touchable way...
and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu), Sibi Malayil
Sibi Malayil
Sibi Malayil is an Indian film director of Malayalam cinema best known for his melodramas of the 80s and 90s. Since the mid-1980s he has directed some 40 movies. Movies like Kireedam, Dasharatham, Thaniyavarthanam, His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, and Akashadoothu defined the way Malayalam movies...
(Kireedam, Chenkol
Chenkol
Chenkol is a 1993 Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A. K. Lohithadas. This is the sequel of 1989 movie Kireedam and became huge success at the box office.-Plot:...
, Dasaratham and Nee Varuvolam), Sreenivasan (Vadakkunokkiyantram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala is a 1998 Malayalam film written and directed by Sreenivasan, starring Sangeetha, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu, Sudheesh, and Siddique. The film is about an irresponsible husband and his neglected family...
), Lohithadas (Bhoothakkannadi
Bhoothakkannadi
Bhoothakkannadi is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Lohithadas. It tells the story of Vidyadharan , a clocksmith's incapability to deal with the harsh realities of his life. This was Lohithadas's first movie as a director and was critically acclaimed. Lohithadas won the Indira Gandhi Award for...
and Arayannangalude Veedu), Kamal (Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Kamal and written by Ranjith. The film stars Jayaram and Parvathi. Mohanlal makes a cameo role.-Plot:...
, Shubhayathra
Shubhayathra
Shubhayathra is a 1990 Malayalam-language romantic drama film directed by Kamal and written by Ranjith. Starring Jayaram and Parvathy in the lead roles, and Innocent, K. P. A. C...
, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu
Ee Puzhayum Kadannu
Ee Puzhayum Kadannu is a 1996 drama film made in India by Kamal starring Dileep and Manju Warrier.The film was a box office hit.-Plot:Anjali is the third daughter of a music teacher. She lives with her sisters and grandmother . Her life changes when Gopi moves to his brother's Ee Puzhayum...
and Paavam Paavam Rajakumaran), and Balachandra Menon
Balachandra Menon
Balachandra Menon is an Indian film actor, director, script writer, lyricist, and producer who works in Malayalam cinema. He made some popular films in the 1980s and 1990s...
(Shesham Kazhchayil, Premageethangal, Kilukilukkam and Kelkatha Shabdam).
He is also noted for his collaboration with the Malayalam lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. Their association began in 1989 with Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikad is an Indian film director and screenwriter known primarily for his family based Malayalam films.He has created many critical and commercially successful films, especially when working with Sreenivasan as the scriptwriter...
's social satire Varavelpu
Varavelpu
Varavelpu is a 1989 Malayalam black comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Sreenivasan, starring Mohanlal, Revathi, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Murali, Innocent, and Jagadish. The film has been produced by K. Rajagopal under the banner of K. R. G. Movie International and has been...
. Most of Jonhnson's notable works came in late eighties and early nineties. In 1991, he scored a record number of 31 films, including 29 with Kaithapram. Johnson won National awards for two consecutive years. He won his first National Award in 1994 for the motion picture Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada is a 1994 Malayalam-language Indian feature film written and directed by T. V. Chandran. The film stars Mammootty and Naseeruddin Shah.-Plot:...
(1993). The next year he got his second award for Sukrutham
Sukrutham
Sukrutham is a 1994 Malayalam film directed by Harikumar, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, with background music by Johnson. It is considered one of the outstanding Malayalam films of the mid-1990s...
. Both the awards were for the background score in films.
After an extremely successful career of more than a decade, Johnson took a sabattical from film scoring by the end of nineties. The quality and quantity of his works began perishing during this time. By the beginning of 2000s, he didn't sign any new projects that even his most noted collaborator Sathyan Anthikkad had to find a new composer. In 2004, he sang the song "Theekuruvi" from Kangalal Kaidhu Sei
Kangalal Kaidhu Sei
Kangalal Kaidhu Sei is a 2004 Tamil language film, written and directed by Bharathiraja. It stars Vaseegaran in the protagonist's role and marks actress Priyamani's debut in the Tamil film industry. Music was scored by A. R. Rahman, which was the major highlight of this film...
, 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...
. Perhaps it is the only song recorded by him for any composer. He returned strongly to the field with Photographer
Photographer (film)
Photographer is a 2006 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Ranjan Pramod. It stars Mohanlal, Master Mani, Neethasree and Biju Menon in major roles. It was the directorial debut of Ranjan Pramod, who has been a successful screenwriter in Malayalam cinema...
in 2006, which fetched him numerous awards.
Non-cinematic outputs
Johnson has released four non-film albums. His first album Sneha Deepika was released in 1989 on Tharangini audios. It had nine Christian devotional songs - "Aathma Swaroopa", "Unni Yesu Pirannu", "Manninum Poovinum", "Thumbapoo Polulla", "Bhoomikku Pulakam", "Manassakumengil", "Kulir Choodum", "Arthungal Innoru" and "Vidarnna Punchiri". The featured artists were K. J. YesudasK. J. Yesudas
Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian classical musician and playback singer.Yesudas sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. He has recorded more than 50,000 songs in many languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Punjabi,...
, K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra often credited as Chithra , is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films...
and Sujatha
Sujatha Mohan
Sujatha Mohan , usually credited as Sujatha, is an award-winning Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She has also sung for Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She is widely popular for her evergreen melodies and her sweet voice is considered to be her...
. His second album Onathappan, a collaboration with M. G. Radhakrishnan
M. G. Radhakrishnan
M. G. Radhakrishnan was a senior music director and Carnatic vocalist from Kerala. He is highly regarded as one of the most successful light music and film music composer in Malayalam.- Personal life :M. G...
and Berny-Ignatius
Berny-Ignatius
Berny Ignatius is a famous music composer-duo-brothers in the Malayalam film industry, best known for their work in films like Thenmavin Kombath, Chandralekha, Kottaram Veettile Apputtan, Kalyanaraman, Chess, Kaaryasthan etc....
, consisted of nine festival songs. The track "Mundon Paadam" was composed by Johnson, sung by M. G. Sreekumar
M. G. Sreekumar
M. G. Sreekumar is a two-time National Award-winning Indian playback singer and music director who works in Malayalam cinema. With a career of over 25 years, he is one of the prominent male singers in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for matching voice with Malayalam actor Mohanlal. He has...
and had lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala
Bichu Thirumala
Bichu Thirumala is an Indian lyricist and poet from Kerala, who works in the Malayalam film industry. He, along with O. N. V. Kurup, is known for creating the style of arranging beautiful words in Malayalam film songs. In Malayalam cinema, Thirumala led the group of lyricist who wrote songs for...
. His third album Nannipoorvam Johnson, consisted of twelve tracks - "Chandanakkavilinnu", "Panineeru Peyyum", "Vasundhare", "Virunnu Vanna", "Prapanjam Sundaram", "Enthe Nee Varathe", "Nilasandhyayil", "Veruthe Onnu", "Ponnazhikkuttu", "Pranayappirave", "Kalindhi", and an introductory speech by Sreenivasan. In 2009, he released his second Christian devotional album entitled Parishudhan. It had eleven tracks - "Vazhiyum Sathyavum Nee Thanne (Vijay Yesudas
Vijay Yesudas
Vijay Yesudas Kattassery , commonly credited as Vijay Yesudas, is an Indian playback singer, who has sung songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Tulu and Telugu.-Early life:...
), "Mullukal Kuthi" (Chithra), "Ariyathe Polum" (G. Venugopal
G. Venugopal
G. Venugopal is an Indian playback singer, active mainly in Malayalam films. He also has Tamil and Telugu songs to his credit. Venugopal started his career in the film Odarathammava Aalariyam and has sung in more than 280 films and over 250 albums since then.G. Venugopal is a graduate of Kerala...
), "Neethimanayavane" (Sujatha
Sujatha Mohan
Sujatha Mohan , usually credited as Sujatha, is an award-winning Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She has also sung for Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She is widely popular for her evergreen melodies and her sweet voice is considered to be her...
), "Traditional song" (Louis), "Mazhayum Veyilum" (Rimi Tomy), "Oru Viral Sparshathal (Sudheep), "Loka Palaka" (Chithra), Neethanthamam (Vijay Yesudas), and "Kannukalil Theliyum" (Manjari).
Music style and impact
His skilful integration of textual rhythm of the lyrics together with rich tonal arrangement, redefined songwriting in Malayalam cinema, since the late 1980s. In his film scores, Johnson combines native South Indian melodic patterns with the harmonic structure of European classical music and this has attained an expressive form of narration through film score. He composed for about 300 films. Though he has obtained no formal training in classical music, he was able to incorporate the beauty of Carnatic ragasCarnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
in his songs. Most of his songs were composed on Kalyani raga
Kalyani (raga)
Kalyan or Kalyani, originally called Yaman, is a melakarta rāga in the Carnatic music of South India, and is also an important raga in Hindustani music.-Kalyani in Carnatic music:...
.
Johnson's favourite male singer was K. J. Yesudas
K. J. Yesudas
Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian classical musician and playback singer.Yesudas sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. He has recorded more than 50,000 songs in many languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Punjabi,...
, who has recorded many songs for him, while S. Janaki
S. Janaki
S. Janaki is an Indian female playback singer. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has won four National Film Awards and 35...
and K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra often credited as Chithra , is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films...
were his favourite female singers. Chithra had some of her most noted songs with Johnson.
Johnson is fondly called Johnson Master (Johnson Mashu) by Malayalee audiences. He is affectionately described as the "John Williams of Malayalam cinema", after the Hollywood composer John Williams.
Awards
Johnson won the National Film Award for Best Background ScoreNational Film Award for Best Music Direction
The National Film Award for Best Music Direction are given annually. In years 1994, 1995 and 2010, an award for Best Background Score was instituted by the Jury, which was won by Johnson and by Ilaiyaraaja . Ilaiyaraaja and A. R...
for the films Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada is a 1994 Malayalam-language Indian feature film written and directed by T. V. Chandran. The film stars Mammootty and Naseeruddin Shah.-Plot:...
(1994) and Sukrutham
Sukrutham
Sukrutham is a 1994 Malayalam film directed by Harikumar, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, with background music by Johnson. It is considered one of the outstanding Malayalam films of the mid-1990s...
(1995). Johnson is the only composer to receive this rarely given award twice. He was the first Malayalee music composer to receive an award in music category and is also the only Malayalee music director who received two national awards in music category. Actually his first national award for Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada
Ponthan Mada is a 1994 Malayalam-language Indian feature film written and directed by T. V. Chandran. The film stars Mammootty and Naseeruddin Shah.-Plot:...
, not only for background score but also for Best Music Composer. This film has one song Adimarunge ayyayya (അടിമരുങ്ങേ അയ്യയ്യാ) lyrics by O. N. V. Kurup
O. N. V. Kurup
Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup , popularly known as O. N. V. Kurup or simply O. N. V., is a Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, India, who won Jnanpith Award,the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. He is considered one of the finest living lyrical poets in India. O. N....
and sung by K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra often credited as Chithra , is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films...
and chorus composed by Johnson
Johnson
Johnson is an English, Scottish, and Irish name of Norman origin. The name itself is a patronym of the given name John, literally meaning "son of John." The name John derives from Latin Johannes, which is derived through Greek Ἰωάννης Iōannēs, from Hebrew יוחנן Yohanan meaning "Yahweh has favoured"...
. This is a folk song. National film award committee noted that he brilliantly conceive western folk tunes into this song. So award given for best music direction and background score of this film. He has received three Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director winners:-Trivia:* In 1994, G. Devarajan returned all the awards won by him in protest against the jury who selected Berny-Ignatious for that year's award. According to Devarajan, none of the songs composed by the duo for Thenmavin Kombath were...
, for the films Ormakkayi
Ormakkayi
Ormakkayi is a 1982 Malayalam movie directed by Bharathan and written by John Paul, starring Bharath Gopi, Madhavi, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu and K P A C Lalitha in the leading roles.-Plot:...
(1982), Vadakkunokkiyantram and Mazhavil Kavadi (1989), and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu (1999). He was awarded the Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music
Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music Director winners:-References:***...
for the films Sadayam
Sadayam
Sadayam is a Malayalam film released in 1992 directed by Sibi Malayil, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and featuring Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Mathu and Nedumudi Venu in the main roles. The movie was produced and distributed by G. P. Vijayakumar under the banner of Seven Arts Films.M. T...
(1992) and Sallapam
Sallapam
Sallapam is 1996 Malayalam film directed by Sundardas and written A. K. Lohithadas; starring Dileep, Manju Warrier, and Manoj K. Jayan in the lead roles. The music was composed by Johnson.-Plot:...
(1996). He has thus received five Kerala State Film Awards in music category, an achievement he shares with Devarajan. He has received the Kerala Film Critics Awards four times, the most recent in 2008 for Gulmohar
Gulmohar (film)
Gulmohar is a 2008 Malayalam film written by Deedi Damodaran and directed by Jayaraj, starring Ranjith, Siddique, Augustine, and Neenu Mathew.- Plot :...
. In 2007, he won the Mathruboomi Award for Best Music Director for Photographer
Photographer (film)
Photographer is a 2006 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Ranjan Pramod. It stars Mohanlal, Master Mani, Neethasree and Biju Menon in major roles. It was the directorial debut of Ranjan Pramod, who has been a successful screenwriter in Malayalam cinema...
(2006). He won the Mullasserry Raju Music Award for the song "Enthe Kannanu Karuppu Niram", also from the same film. In addition, he has received numerous other awards and nominations including Devarajan Master Memorial Award and Raveendran Master Memorial Award.
Death
Johnson, popularly known as 'Johnson Master' died in ChennaiChennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
on 18 August 2011 at the age of 58, due to a heart attack. The Government of Kerala gave all official honours for his funeral which was held in his hometown, Thrissur. He is survived by his wife - Rani Johnson, daughter - Shan Johnson and son - Renn Johnson.
Original scores and soundtracks
| Year | Album | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal is a 1979 Malayalam language film directed by avant-garde filmmaker John Abraham.-Plot:... |
1981 | Premageethangal Oridathoru Phayalwan Oridathoru Phayalwan Oridathoru Phayalvaan is a 1981 Malayalam film written, edited and directed by P. Padmarajan. The film is a folk parable about the success and failure in the life of a wrestler. Having an unusual and different plot, the movie was critically acclaimed... Inaye Thedi Raktham Chaatta Parvathi |
| 1982 | Football Sooryan Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam Kelkatha Shabdam Palangal Palangal Palangal is a 1982 Malayalam film written by John Paul Puthusery and directed by Bharathan starring Nedumudi Venu, Zarina Wahab, Bharath Gopi and Shankar... Kilukilukkam Swarna Gopuram Ithu Njangalude Kadha Ormakkayi Ormakkayi Ormakkayi is a 1982 Malayalam movie directed by Bharathan and written by John Paul, starring Bharath Gopi, Madhavi, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu and K P A C Lalitha in the leading roles.-Plot:... Thuranna Jail |
1983 | Koodevide Koodevide Koodevide? is a 1983 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Suhasini, Mammootty and Rahman who makes his debut. The plot of the film is loosely based on a Tamil novel by Vasanthi.-Plot:... Shesham Kaazhchayil Kolakomban Onnu Chirikkoo Kattathe Kilikkoodu Kattathe Kilikkoodu Kattathe Kilikkoodu is a 1983 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan. The story is about an unhappy marriage that unravels in a bad way. It stars Bharath Gopi, Mohanlal, Srividya and Revathi.-Cast:* Bharath Gopi as Prof... Naseema Thamburu Thavalam Thavalam Thavalam is a 2008 Malayalam film by Baiju starring Suresh Gopi, Rathya and Baby Diya.- Plot :Thavalam movie is based on a real life story of one Muthu who lived around the Ernakulam bus stand. Sivan is a member of the gypsy group who roams around the cities to make a living. Sivan lives with his... Ivide Thudangunnu Ivide Thudangunnu Ivide Thudangunnu is 1984 Malayalam film directed by Sasikumar and starring Mohanlal, Rahman and Balan K. Nair in pivotal roles.-Plot:Krishnakumar is orphan and a policeman who lived with his younger sister Sheela.Sheela falls in love with her classmate Babu and Krisnha accepts him as his brother... |
| 1984 | Parannu Parannu Parannu Parannu Parannu Parannu Parannu Parannu Parannu is a 1984 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Rahman, Rohini and Nedumudi Venu in pivotal roles.-Plot:... Sandarbham Ente Upasana Ente Upasana Ente Upasana is a 1984 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan, written by Thoppil Bhasi and starring Mammootty and Suhasini. It is based on a novel written by Mallika Younis.-Plot:... Swanthamevide Bandhamevide |
1985 | Akkacheede Kunjivava Nerariyum Nerathu Oru Kudakkeezhil Makan Ente Makan Kadha Ithu Vare Mounanombaram Upaharam Sannaham Jwalanam Oduvil Kittiya Vartha Aa Neram Alpa Dooram Ozhivukalam |
| 1986 | Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is a landmark film in Malayalam cinema written and directed by Padmarajan. The film is noted for its rich and detailed screenplay, expressive cinematography and flowing musical narration... Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha is a 1986 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Mohan.... Neram Pularumpol Akalangalil Kariyila Kattu Pole Kariyila Kattu Pole Kariyilakkattu Pole is a 1986 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, Rahman, and Karthika. This film is an investigative thriller.-Plot:... Ice Cream Ice cream (film) -Cast:* Mammootty - Thampi* Thilakan - Omanakuttan Nair* Bharath Gopi - Panikkar* Lizzy Priyadarshan - Rekha* Mala Aravindan - Worker* Innocent - Police Officer* Ashokan - Prakashan* T.P Madhavan - Bhaskaran* Sankaradi - Doctor* KPAC Lalitha - Elizabeth... Malamukalile Daivam Ente Entethumathram Thidambu |
1987 | Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam is a 1987 Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and starring Nedumudi Venu, Sharada and Parvathy. The film is about an elderly teacher couple, who bring up a girl with devotion — only to lose her as well as her son... Sruthi Sruthi (film) Sruthi is a 1987 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Mohan.... Athinumappuram Ithente Needhi Arinjo Ariyatheyo Onnam Manam Poomanam Archana Pookkal Kathirippinte Thudakkam |
| 1988 | Aparan Aparan (film) Aparan is a 1988 Malayalam mystery film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It is based on Padmarajan's short story with the same title. It stars Jayaram, Mukesh, Shobana, Parvathy Jayaram and Madhu. The story is about mistaken identity and the problems that a young, innocent man had to undergo... Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas is 1988 Malayalam film starring Jayaram, Sumalatha, Sukumaran and Suresh Gopi. The film is based on a short story by Kakkanadan.-Plot:... Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu is a 1988 Malayalam comedy drama film written by Sreenivasan and directed by Sathyan Anthikkad. Sreenivasan, Jayaram, Urvashi, Innocent, Parvathy and Shari plays the pivotal roles. The film was critically acclaimed and was a big commercial success... Isabella Isabella (1988 film) Isabella is a 1988 Malayalam–language romantic drama film directed by Mohan and starring Sumalatha in the lead, who played the role of Isabella, a tour guide. It also stars Balachandra Menon, Nedumudi Venu etc.-Plot:... |
1989 | Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Kamal and written by Ranjith. The film stars Jayaram and Parvathi. Mohanlal makes a cameo role.-Plot:... Varavelpu Varavelpu Varavelpu is a 1989 Malayalam black comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Sreenivasan, starring Mohanlal, Revathi, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Murali, Innocent, and Jagadish. The film has been produced by K. Rajagopal under the banner of K. R. G. Movie International and has been... Varnatheru Radham Nerunnu Nanmakal Lal Americayil Kireedam Artham Artham Artham is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Venu Nagavally. It stars Mammootty, Sreenivasan, Murali, Saranya, Parvathy, and Jayaram.-Plot:... Dasaratham Vadakkunokkiyantram Mazhavilkavadi Mazhavilkavadi Mazhavilkavadi is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Raghunath Paleri... Pradeshika Varthakal Pandu Pandoru Desathu |
| 1990 | Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan Malootty Malootty Malootty is a 1992 Malayalam drama film by Bharathan, starring Jayaram, Urvashi and Shamili who is the younger sister of Shalini. It based on the rescue of Jessica McClure in 1987 events set in the 1980s when a girl was trapped in a hole; she later survived after many hours. The title drawings were... Paavakkoothu Varthamanakaalam Muppathi Randam Naal Shubhayathra Shubhayathra Shubhayathra is a 1990 Malayalam-language romantic drama film directed by Kamal and written by Ranjith. Starring Jayaram and Parvathy in the lead roles, and Innocent, K. P. A. C... Sunday 7 PM Sandram Dr. Pasupathy Dr. Pasupathy Dr. Pasupathy is a 1990 Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Ranji Panicker. The film introduced Rizabawa to Malayalam films. It was also noted for being the first film in which popular comedian Innocent played the lead role.- Plot :The comical film introduces us... Kalikkalam Kalikkalam Kalikkalam is a 1990 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and starring Mammootty, Shobana and Murali in the lead roles.-Plot:Mammootty plays the role of a burglar who is known by different names in different places. During one of his burglaries, he happens to witness a murder for which a... Gajakesariyogam Rajavazhcha Rajavazhcha Rajavazhcha is a 1990 Malayalam film by Sasikumar starring Suresh Gopi, Saikumar, Thilakan, Ranjini and Chithra.-Cast:*Suresh Gopi ... Govindankutty*Saikumar ... Vijayaraghavan*Thilakan ... Madhava Panikkar*Chitra ... Amminikutty... Kouthuka Vaarthakal Ee Kanni Koodi Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum is a 1990 Malayalam comedy film directed by Chandrasekharan. The film stars Mukesh, Thilakan, Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar and Sreeja in the lead roles... Niyamam Endu Cheyyum Orukkam Thalayanamanthram Thalayanamanthram Thalayanamanthram is a Malayalam film, directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Sreenivasan. The film was released in 1990.-Cast:*Sreenivasan .... Suku*Urvashi .... Kanchana*Jayaram .... Mohanan*Parvathi .... Shilaja*Philomina .... Paru Ammayi... Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran Kaattukuthira Sasneham Sasneham Sasneham... is a 1990 Malayalam language family film written by Lohithadas and directed by Sathyan Anthikad. It stars Balachandra Menon, Shobana, Innocent, Sukumari, Meena, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Mamukkoya, Karamana Janardanan Nair and Paravoor Bharathan.... Mridula Mukham Ananthanum Appukkuttanum Anayundu Khalasi |
1991 | Kakka Thollayiram Sundari Kakka Nettipattam Beli Chanchaattam Perunthachan Kankettu Ezhunnaallathu Mimics Parade Athiradhan Arangu Kanal Kaattu Innathe Program Karpoora Deepam Aanaval Mothiram Aanaval mothiram Aanaval Mothiram is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by G. S. Vijayan, written by T. Damodaran, and starring Sreenivasan, Suresh Gopi, Saranya Ponvannan, and Jagathy Sreekumar.... Sandhesam Sandhesam Sandhesam is a 1991 Malayalam black comedy / political satire film written by Sreenivasan and directed by Sathyan Anthikkad, starring Sreenivasan, Jayaram, Thilakan, Siddique, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Maathu in pivotal roles... Apoorvam Chilar Ennum Nanmakal Ennum Nanmakal Ennum Nanmakal is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkadu. The movie tells the story of a middle-class man.-Plot:Radha Devi is an office assistant working in the city of Kozhikode. She is in love with the unemployed Sivan... Njaan Gandharvan Nagarathil Samsaaravishayam Venal Kinavukal Cheppukilukkana Changaathi Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu is a 1991 Malayalam film written and directed by Balachandra Menon, starring Mammootty and Shanthi Krishna in the lead roles.... |
| 1992 | My Dear Muthachan My Dear Muthachan My Dear Muthachan is a 1992 Malayalam film written by Sreenivasan and directed by Sathyan Anthikad. It stars Thilakan, Madhurima, Baby Jomol, Baby Renju and Master Tarun in lead roles, and Murali, Sreenivasan, Innocent, Urvashi, K.P.A.C... Thalasthanam Thalasthanam Thalastaanam is a political action film in Malayalam. Released in 1992, directed by Thalastaanam is a political action film in [[Malayalam]]. Released in 1992, directed by... Kunukkkitta Kozhi Mahanagaram Kasargode Khadarbhai Snehasaagaram Oottyppattanam Oottyppattanam Oottyppattanam is a 1992 Malayalam comedy drama film directed by Haridas and starring Jayaram, Siddique, Jagathy Sreekumar, Easwari Rao, Narendra Prasad and Jayabharathi in pivotal roles.-Cast:* Jayaram as Pavithran* Siddique as Jimmy... Aadharam Maanthrika Cheppu Ezharapponnana Savidham Kudumba Sametham Neelakkurukkan Sadayam Sadayam Sadayam is a Malayalam film released in 1992 directed by Sibi Malayil, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and featuring Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Mathu and Nedumudi Venu in the main roles. The movie was produced and distributed by G. P. Vijayakumar under the banner of Seven Arts Films.M. T... Poochaikkaru Manikettum Aayaram Gayaram Ambathu Lakshavum Maruthi Carum |
1993 | Addheham Enna Iddheham Golanthara Vartha Golanthara Vartha Golanthara Vartha is a 1993 family film written by Sreenivasan, directed by Sathyan Anthikad, and starring Mammootty, Shobana, Sreenivasan and Kanaka in major roles.-Plot:The film revolves around an active social worker, Rameshan Nair... Samooham Samooham Samooham is a 1993 Malayalam drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad with Suhasini and Suresh Gopi in the lead.-Plot:The film revolves around a middle class Malayalee girl and her childhood lover. Problems arise in their relationship when she begins her rise to power.-Cast:* Suhasini* Suresh Gopi*... Ghoshayaathra Ente Sreekuttiku Maanavam Samaagamam Chenkol Chenkol Chenkol is a 1993 Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A. K. Lohithadas. This is the sequel of 1989 movie Kireedam and became huge success at the box office.-Plot:... Agneyam O' Faby Meleparambil Aanveedu Meleparambil Aanveedu Meleparambil Aanveedu is a 1993 Malayalam musical-romantic comedy film starring Jayaram and Shobana in the lead roles. It also stars Narendra Prasad, Meena, Jagathy Sreekumar, Janardanan, Vijayaraghavan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, and Vinu Chakravarthy in other pivotal roles... Chamayam Chamayam Chamayam is a 1993 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan, and starring Manoj K. Jayan, Murali and Sithara in the lead roles.-Cast:*Manoj K. Jayan as Anto*Murali as Esthappan Aasan*Sithara as Liza*Ranjitha as Ammu*Saikumar as Charlie... Naaraayam Thalamura Paamaram |
| 1994 | CID Unnikrishnan B.A. B.Ed. Rajadhaani Pakshe Pakshe Pakshe is a 1994 Malayalam romantic drama film written by Venu Nagavally and directed by Mohan. It stars Mohanlal and Shobhana in the lead roles. Though a usually repeated story in Malayalam films, the director is successful in saying the story in the most heart-touchable way... Ponthan Mada Ponthan Mada Ponthan Mada is a 1994 Malayalam-language Indian feature film written and directed by T. V. Chandran. The film stars Mammootty and Naseeruddin Shah.-Plot:... The City Kudumba Visesham Sandanagopaalam Manathe Vellitheru Bhagyavan Chakoram Pingami Pingami Pingami is a 1994 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts.-Plot:... Malappuram Haji Mahanaaya Joji Kunjikkili Leader |
1995 | Ezharakuttam Saadaram Saadaram Saadaram is a 1995 Malayalam film directed by Jose Thomas and stars Suresh Gopi, Lalu Alex, Geetha, Suvarna Mathew, Chithra, Sreenath, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Sukumari main roles. The script was written by A. K. Lohithadas... Ormakal Undaayirikkanam Kaattile Thadi Thevarude Aana Mangalam Veettil Manaseswari Gupta Sunny Scooter Sakshyam Thovala Pookkal |
| 1996 | Ee Puzhayum Kadannu Ee Puzhayum Kadannu Ee Puzhayum Kadannu is a 1996 drama film made in India by Kamal starring Dileep and Manju Warrier.The film was a box office hit.-Plot:Anjali is the third daughter of a music teacher. She lives with her sisters and grandmother . Her life changes when Gopi moves to his brother's Ee Puzhayum... Kanchanam Thooval Kottaram Thooval Kottaram Thooval Kottaram is a 1996 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by A. K. Lohithadas. It stars Jayaram, Sukanya, Manju Warrier, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Murali, and Babu Swamy... Udhyanapalakan Sallapam Sallapam Sallapam is 1996 Malayalam film directed by Sundardas and written A. K. Lohithadas; starring Dileep, Manju Warrier, and Manoj K. Jayan in the lead roles. The music was composed by Johnson.-Plot:... Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan is a 1996 Malayalam film by Thulasidas starring Mammootty, Murali and Gauthami.-Plot:Dr. Nandakumar and Anantha Padmanabhan are doctors who lived with Ananthan's mother after the death of their father and Nandu's mother. Nandu married Sirdevi with whom they had a daughter... Kalyana Sougandhikam Kalyana Sougandhikam Kalyana Sowgandhikam is a 1996 Malayalam film directed by Vinayan starring Dileep and Divya Unni in the lead roles.-Plot:Jayadeva Sharma hails from an aristocratic Brahmin family. However his family's fortunes disappears and he is fostered by a goldsmith. Eventually he is was betrayed by... |
1997 | Irattakuttikalude Achan Killikurisiyile Kudumbhamela Adivaaram Bhoothakannadi Manthra Mothiram Kudamaattam Sankeerthanam Pole Guru Sishyan Oral Mathram Oral Mathram Oral Mathram is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad. The film stars Mammootty, Sreenivasan, Sudheesh and Lalu Alex.-Plot:Shekhara Menon Thilakan is retired income tax officer from Mumbai and has now settled in a remote village in kerala. He owns some land and a house where he and... Itha Oru Snehagadha Churam Churam Churam is a 1997 Malayalam film by Bharathan starring Manoj K. Jayan and Divya Unni in the lead roles. This is one of last films of Bharathan before his death.-Plot:... Maanasam Nee Varuvolam Snehasindhooram Rishyasringan Athyunnathangalil Koodaram Panithavar Vachalam Sammanam |
| 1998 | Aayushmaanbhava Manjukaalavum Kazhinju Vismayam Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala is a 1998 Malayalam film written and directed by Sreenivasan, starring Sangeetha, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu, Sudheesh, and Siddique. The film is about an irresponsible husband and his neglected family... Ormacheppu Kusrithikuruppu Thirakalkkappuram Mangamma Mangamma (film) Mangamma is a 1997 Malayalam film written and directed by T. V. Chandran, and produced by National Film Development Corporation of India . It stars Revathi, Nedumudi Venu, Vijayaraghavan and Thilakan in major roles.... |
1999 | Angane Oru Avadikkalathu Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal is a 1999 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by A. K. Lohithadas, starring Jayaram, Thilakan, and Samyuktha Varma in the main roles. This was Samyuktha Varma's debut film and A. K. Lohithadas makes a cameo appearance.The film was produced by P... |
| 2000 | Swayamvara Pandhal Susanna Susanna (film) Susanna is a 2000 Malayalam film directed by T. V. Chandran with Vani Viswanath in the title role. The film won two Kerala State Film Awards: Second Best Actress and Special Jury Mention .-Plot:... Ee Mazha Thenmazha Oru Cheru Punchiri Oru Cheru Punchiri Oru Cheru Punchiri is a 2000 Malayalam film written and directed by M.T. Vasudevan Nair. This is his sixth film as a director. The film stars Oduvil Unnikrishnan and Nirmala Sreenivasan in the lead roles... |
2001 | Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka Uthaman The Gift of God Police Academy |
| 2002 | Yathrakarude Sradhakku Yathrakarude Sradhakku Yathrakarude Sradhakku is a 2002 Malayalam romantic drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad, and starring Jayaram, Soundarya and Innocent in pivotal roles. The film explores the relationship that develops between two friends of the opposite sex living together for sometime and then parting ways to... Danny Danny (film) Danny is a 2001 National award winning Indian Malayalam political-drama film written, directed and produced by T.V. Chandran with Mammootty in the title role. Also starring in the film are noted danseuse Mallika Sarabhai, Vani Viswanath, Siddique, Vijayaraghavan, Ratheesh, popular television... Stop Violence Stop Violence Stop Violence is a 2002 Malayalam film directed by A. K. Sajan. The film stars Prithviraj, Vijayaraghavan, and Chandra Lakshman.-Plot:Stephen is the circle inspector in charge of the anti-goonda squad but he himself is the head of a gang whose members are Acid and Sathan... Suvarna Mohangal |
2003 | Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam Padam Onnu: Oru Vilapam is a 2003 Indian Malayalam film, written and directed by T. V. Chandran. The film stars Meera Jasmine as Shahina, who won the National Film Award for Best Actress and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress in 2003 for her performance in this movie.-Plot:Shahina is a... |
| 2006 | Kisan Kisan (film) Kisan is a Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil released in the year 2006. The film stars Kalabhavan Mani, Bhavana, Biju Menon, Geethu Mohandas... Photographer Photographer (film) Photographer is a 2006 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Ranjan Pramod. It stars Mohanlal, Master Mani, Neethasree and Biju Menon in major roles. It was the directorial debut of Ranjan Pramod, who has been a successful screenwriter in Malayalam cinema... |
2007 | AKG |
| 2008 | Gulmohar Gulmohar (film) Gulmohar is a 2008 Malayalam film written by Deedi Damodaran and directed by Jayaraj, starring Ranjith, Siddique, Augustine, and Neenu Mathew.- Plot :... |
2009 | Vellathooval Vellathooval Vellathooval is a 2009 Malayalam movie by I. V. Sasi and also last film done by him, starring Ranjith Menon, Nithya Menon and Lalu Alex. It is about a crazy girl and her jorney with a poor friend.- Plot :... |
| 2010 | Nirakazhcha Nirakazhcha Nirakazhcha is a 2010 Malayalam film directed by debutant Anish J. Karrinad starring Italian actor Vincenzo Bocciarelli, Mamta Mohandas and Manoj K. Jayan in the lead roles.... |
2011 | Nadakame Ulakam Nadakame Ulakam Nadakame Ulakam is a 2011 Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Viji Thampi and starring Mukesh, Vinu Mohan, Sarayu, and Saranya Mohan in the lead roles. Its songs are composed by veteran music director Johnson with lyrics penned by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The film released on 25... Anandhan Pillai Adhava Arjunan Pillai Navagatharkku Swagatham Bharyamar Adharikkapedunnu Khilafath |
Original scores
The following lists out the films in which Johnson composed the background score but not songs.- Aakaashakottayile Sulthaan
- Aalorungi Arangorungi
- Aaraante Mulla Kochumulla
- Aaravam
- Aaryan
- Arabikkadal
- Abhimanyu
- Adimachangala
- Agnisharam
- Ambada Njaane
- AmaramAmaramAmaram is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by A. K. Lohithadas, starring Mammootty, Murali, Maathu, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Balan K. Nair, Ashokan, Chitra, and Kuthiravattam Pappu in the main roles. The film score is composed by Johnson while the songs are by Raveendran.The...
- Amrutham
- Arayannangalude Veedu
- Avidatheppole Ivideyum
- BharathamBharathamBharatham is a 1991 musical/drama Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil, produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts and starring Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu and Lakshmi. The film is especially known for its music that is largely Carnatic Classical and Semi Classical...
- Chamaram
- ChithramChithramChithram is a 1988 Malayalam screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan, based on a story by Sreenivasan. The film stars Mohanlal, Ranjini, Nedumudi Venu, Poornam Vishwanathan, Sreenivasan, Soman, Sukumari, Innocent, and Maniyanpilla Raju in the main roles. The film was a...
- Chakravalam Chuvannappol
- Chithrathoonukal
- Dhanam
- Dheem Tharikidathom
- Ee Kaikalil
- Ekantham
- English Medium
- Ente Hridayathinte Udama
- Ente Kaanakkuyil
- Ithum Oru Jeevitham
- Iniyum Kurukshethram
- Kaanaakkinaavu
- Kaarunyam
- Kaaryam Nissaaram
- Kadathanadan AmbadiKadathanadan AmbadiKadathanadan Ambadi is a Malayalam movie made in 1985 - 86 season, but was released only in 1990 directed by Priyadarshan and featuring Prem Nazir, Mohanlal and Cochin Haneefa...
- KadakshamKadakshamKadaksham is a 2010 Malayalam film by Sasi Paravoor starring Suresh Gopi, Shwetha Menon and Shwetha Vijay.- Plot :Kadaksham movie is a women oriented movie which states the story of how women has to survive against all odds even now in the society which still has a contemporary outlook.- Cast :*...
- Kamaladalam
- Kazhukan
- Keli
- Kaikudanna Nilavu
- Kinnarippuzhayoram
- Kodumudikal
- Koodum Thedi
- Krishnapakshakkilikal
- Kudumbapuraanam
- Kunjaattakkilikal
- Maayamayooram
- Madhya Venal
- Manasiloru Manimuthu
- Manichithrathazhu
- Mankamma
- Mizhineerppoovukal
- Mukunthetta Sumitra VilikkunnuMukunthetta Sumitra VilikkunnuMukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu is a Malayalam film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, and Ranjini.-Cast:-Plot:...
- Mizhi RandilumMizhi RandilumMizhi Randilum is a 2003 Malayalam film written and directed by Ranjith, starring Kavya Madhavan, Indrajith, Jagathy Sreekumar, Sukumari, and Revathi. Dileep makes a cameo appearance.-Plot:...
- Mounanombaram
- No. 1 Snehatheeram Banglore NorthNo. 1 Snehatheeram Banglore NorthNo. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North is a 1995 Malayalam film written by Fazil, directed by Sathyan Anthikkad, and produced by Khais, starring Mammootty and Priya Raman in lead roles with Innocent, Thilakan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, and Sukumari in other roles....
- Nokketha Dhoorathu Kannum NattuNokketha Dhoorathu Kannum NattuNokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu is a 1984 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Fazil starring Nadia Moidu, late dancer Padmini, and Mohanlal in pivotal roles....
- Nombarathi PoovuNombarathi PoovuNombarathi Poovu is a 1987 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Madhavi, Baby Sonia, Mammootty Shari and Unnimary. Its story is about the deep relation between Gigi and Padmini . Its songs were composed by M. G...
- Nyayavidhi
- Orma MathramOrma MathramOrma Mathram is a 2011 Malayalam film directed by Madhu Kaithapram and starring Dileep, Priyanka Nair, Master Sidharth, Dhanya Mary Varghese, Nedumudi Venu in the main roles.-Plot:...
- Ottayal Pattaalam
- Oru Cheru punchiri
- Puzha
- Paadamudra
- Parinayam
- Pooram
- Post Box Number 27
- Pradakshinam
- Raagam Thaanam Pallavi
- Shreeraagam
- Snehapoorvam Meera
- SukruthamSukruthamSukrutham is a 1994 Malayalam film directed by Harikumar, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, with background music by Johnson. It is considered one of the outstanding Malayalam films of the mid-1990s...
- Susanna
- Soorya Gaayathri
- ThalavattamThalavattamThalavattam is a 1986 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Priyadarshan and starring Mohanlal, M. G. Soman and Karthika. The story is very loosely based on the english novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Thalavattam was remade in Hindi as Kyon Ki in 2005 by Priyadarshan himself...
- ThazhvaramThazhvaramThazhvaram is a 1990 Malayalam revenge-thriller musical film directed by Bharathan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, starring Mohanlal, Salim Ghouse, Sumalatha, and Sankaradi in the lead roles....
- ThakaraThakaraThakara is a famous Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by Padmarajan.- Cast :*Prathap K. Pothan ... Thakara*Surekha ... Subhashini*Nedumudi Venu ... Chellappanasari*K.G. Menon ... Mathu Mooppan...
- ThaniyavarthanamThaniyavarthanamThaniyavarthanam is a 1987 Malayalam film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mammootty, Thilakan, Mukesh, Saritha, Philomina and Kaviyoor Ponnamma in the main roles. The story revolves around a family whose male members have a history of lunacy.-Plot:Balan Mash is...
- Theekkaattu
- ThoovanathumbikalThoovanathumbikalThoovanathumbikal is a widely acclaimed melodramatic 1987 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, which is based on his own novel Udakappola. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan who falls in love with two women, Radha a woman in his village and Clara a sex worker in town...
- Uncle BunUncle BunUncle Bun is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by Bhadran and starring Mohanlal in the title role. It was a remake of the 1989 American film Uncle Buck...
- Uthara
- UtharamUtharamUtharam is a 1989 Malayalam mystery-thriller film starring Mammootty, Suparna, Sukumaran and Parvathy. It was written by acclaimed Malayalam writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on the short story No Motive by Daphne du Maurier. The film was a commercial success and also received critical acclaim. It...
- Vadhu Doctoraanu
- Vaadakaveettile Athidhi
- VandanamVandanamVandanam is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Priyadarshan. The film stars Mohanlal, Mukesh, Girija Shettar, Nedumudi Venu, M.G. Soman, Jagadish, Sukumari, Ganesh Kumar, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Cochin Haneefa. This was the follow-up film of Priyadarshan and producer P. K. R...
- Vasudha
- Vellanakalude NaduVellanakalude NaduVellanakalude Nadu is a 1988 Malayalam drama film directed by Priyadarshan, and produced by Maniyanpilla Raju.This film was a critical and commercial success...
- Vedikkett
- Venkalam
- Vishnulokam
Non-film albums
- Rajavu ezhunallunnu - Christian devotional album .Audio by manorama music (2011)
- Parishudhan (2009)
- Nannipoorvam Johnson
- Onathappan
- Sneha Deepika (1989)
Notable songs
In an interview with Malayala ManoramaMalayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
, Johnson listed the following 13 songs as his favourite songs.
- "Aadivaa Katte" (KoodevideKoodevideKoodevide? is a 1983 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Suhasini, Mammootty and Rahman who makes his debut. The plot of the film is loosely based on a Tamil novel by Vasanthi.-Plot:...
) - "Nee Nirayoo Jeevanil" (Premageethangal)
- "Swapnam Verumoru Swapnam" (Premageethangal)
- "Poo Venam" (Oru Minnaminunginte NurunguvettamOru Minnaminunginte NurunguvettamOru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam is a 1987 Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and starring Nedumudi Venu, Sharada and Parvathy. The film is about an elderly teacher couple, who bring up a girl with devotion — only to lose her as well as her son...
) - "Melle Melle Mukhapadam" (Oru Minnaminunginte NurunguvettamOru Minnaminunginte NurunguvettamOru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam is a 1987 Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and starring Nedumudi Venu, Sharada and Parvathy. The film is about an elderly teacher couple, who bring up a girl with devotion — only to lose her as well as her son...
) - "Gopike Nin Viral" (Kattathe Kilikkoodu)
- "Devankanangal" (Njan GandharvanNjan GandharvanNjan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....
) - "Swarna mukile" (Ithu Njangaludey Kadha)
- "Thankathoni" (MazhavilkavadiMazhavilkavadiMazhavilkavadi is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Raghunath Paleri...
) - "Sundari Poovinu Naanam" (Ente Upasana)
- "Shyamambharam" (ArthamArthamArtham is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Venu Nagavally. It stars Mammootty, Sreenivasan, Murali, Saranya, Parvathy, and Jayaram.-Plot:...
) - "Enthe Kannanu Karuppu Niram" (PhotographerPhotographer (film)Photographer is a 2006 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Ranjan Pramod. It stars Mohanlal, Master Mani, Neethasree and Biju Menon in major roles. It was the directorial debut of Ranjan Pramod, who has been a successful screenwriter in Malayalam cinema...
) - "Oru Naal" (GulmoharGulmohar (film)Gulmohar is a 2008 Malayalam film written by Deedi Damodaran and directed by Jayaraj, starring Ranjith, Siddique, Augustine, and Neenu Mathew.- Plot :...
)
External links
- Johnson at the Malayalam Movie Database
- A list of 700 songs by Johnson
- Johnson Master Passed away
- 'കുന്നിമണിച്ചെപ്പ് തുറന്ന് - രവി മേനോന്' in Mathrubhumi Online
- 'ആരോടും മിണ്ടാതെ' in Mathrubhumi Online
- 'ഓര്മ്മയ്ക്കായ്' in Manorama Online
- Malayalam film industry never recognized Johnson’s worth: G. Venugopal