Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri , popularly known as Kaithapram, is a noted Indian poet

Poet

A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...

, lyricist

Lyricist

A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...

, 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...

, actor

Actor

An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...

, singer, screenwriter

Screenwriter

Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...

, music therapist, and performer of Carnatic music

Carnatic 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...

. He is the son of the late singer Keshavan Namboothiri (popularly known as Kannadi Bhagavathar, a disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar

Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar

Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar was a Carnatic music singer from Palakkad . Known by his village name Chembai, or simply as Bhagavatar, he was born to Anantha Bhagavatar and Parvati Ammal in 1896, at Kottayi near Palakkad on Janmashtami day, with Bharani star in the month of Chingam...

) and Aditi Antharjanam. He generally performs in the Malayalam language

Malayalam language

Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...

.

Career

Kaithapram made his entry into 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...

 as a lyricist for the hit song “Devadundubhi Sandralayam” in the film Ennennum Kannettante directed by Shri Fazil

Fazil

A. M. Fazil is an Indian filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter of Malayalam cinema.His father wanted him to be a doctor, but in school and college, extra curricular activities engulfed him. He wrote plays, enacted them with his friends A. M. Fazil (born 1953, in Alleppey, Kerala) is an Indian...

. Since then he has written lyrics for more than 330 films. He has also acted in many films, including Swathithurunal, His Highness Abdulla, and the film Theerthadanam

Theerthadanam

Theerthadanam is a Malayalam film directed by B. Kannan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his story Vanaprastham. The film stars Jayaram and Suhasini. The film met with critical acclaim but became a failure in the box office.-Cast:...

, based on the story of famous Malayalam writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair. He has played the character of a classical or semi-classical singer in most of the films. The songs from Desadanam

Desadanam

Desadanam is a Malayalam feature-length film released in the year 1996 by the critically acclaimed director Jayaraj. It won the National award for best Regional film in the year 1997.-Plot:...

, his first film as a music composer, were a hit. The film Sopanam, directed by Shri Jayaraj, was based on a story and screenplay written by Kaithapram.

Kaithapram has established a cherished position in the Malayali heart with his beautiful yet simple artistic renderings. He has written both prose and poems and his books are also widely accepted. His appeal is closer to younger hearts and the success of ‘Lajjavathiye…’ has brought this aspect into fresh focus. His lyrics often express the deep love and regard that make the average Malayali home tick. He sings in public concerts and for various causes. He has won several awards as a lyricist. His charming and helpful attitude, readiness to help and ability to be one among the music lovers, have made him a legend in his own time.

Shri Kaithapram is also the Managing Trustee of Swathithirunal Kala Kendram (Music School) at Kozhikode, which caters to more than 400 music students. He has received numerous awards from various government and cultural organizations in Kerala. He has popularized and promoted the application of music for therapeutic purposes through the Music Therapy Foundation. Many have benefited from the systematic music therapy sessions conducted all over Kerala.

Personal life

Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri was born in the village of Kaithapram, near Payyanur

Payyanur

Payyanur is a Municipal Town situated at the northern end of Kannur district in North Malabar region of Kerala, India. This Municipality consists of three administrative villages viz. Vellur, Korom and Payyannur. Other villages are; Annur and Kokkanissery....

. He got his Veda education from his grandfather. Later on he continued his education under well-known gurus (teachers) including Parassi Thamburan and SVS Panicker. He pursued his studies in acting and music at Natyagruha. He is married to Devi Antharjanam; they have two children, Deepankuran and Devadarshan. Deepankuran is a singer who has sung for various films including Desadanam, as well as Devotional Songs. Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri's brother, Kaithapram Viswanathan Namboothiri, is a Malayalam cinema music director who runs the Sruthilaya Music School at Payyanur.

Awards

Kerala State Film Award

Kerala State Film Award

The Kerala State Film Awards are the most prestigious film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy since 1998 on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala, India....

• 1993 - Kerala State Film Award for the best Lyricist
• 1996 - Kerala State Film Award for the best Lyricist
• 1997 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director

Asianet Film Awards

Asianet Film Awards

The Asianet Film Awards is the most prominent award ceremony for Malayalam films presented annually by Asianet, a Malayalam-language television network from the south-Indian state of Kerala. The awards ceremony has been instituted to honour both artistic and technical excellence in the Malayalam...

• 2005 - Best Lyricist Award -

As lyricist

The film albums for which Kaithapram wrote lyrics include:

• 2011 - Urumi
• 2010 - Pokkiri Raja
  Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)
  Pokkiri Raja is a 2010 Malayalam masala film starring Mammootty in the title role, along with Prithviraj and Shriya Saran in the main roles. The film is written by the duo Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas, directed by debutante Vyshakh, and the music is composed by Jassie Gift. The film was released on...
  
  
• 2010 - Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya
  Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya
  Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is a 2010 Tamil musical romantic drama film directed and written by Gautham Menon, featuring Silambarasan Rajendar and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles. It is a parody of Tamil romantic melodramas. The film, distributed by Udhayanidhi Stalin, features a successful...
  
   (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...
  
  )
• 2009 - Robinhood
• 2009 - Moss & Cat
  Moss & Cat
  Moz & Cat is a 2009 Malayalam film written and directed by Fazil starring Dileep and Rahman in lead roles.- Plot :Moss n' cat tells the story of young man and a child entering into the family of a girl and her brother.- Cast :...
  
  
• 2009 - Yugapurushan
  Yugapurushan
  Yugapurushan is a 2010 film about the life and times of Sree Narayana Guru. The movie is directed by R. Sukumaran. It has an ensemble cast, led by Thalaivasal Vijay as Sree Naryana Guru.-Production:...
  
  
• 2009 - Pulliman
  Pulliman
  Pulliman is a 2010 Malayalam film directed by Anil K. Nair. The movie stars Kalabhavan Mani and Meera Nandan in the lead roles.- Plot :Kunjunni is a youngster in Perimannur village village who is loved by all. Radha belongs to a nadodi gang, who has come to the village to sell statuettes of Lord...
  
  
• 2009 - Karshakasree
• 2009 - Bodyguard
• 2009 - Puthiya Mukham
  Puthiya Mukham
  Puthiya Mukham is a 2009 Malayalam action film directed by Diphan and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. The shooting locations were Kochi, Palakkad, and Malaysia. The music was...
  
  
• 2009 - Madhya Venal
• 2008 - Jubilee
• 2008 - Magic Lamp
• 2008 - Parthan Kanda Paralokam
• 2007 - Ravanan
• 2007 - Mauryan
• 2007 - Nivedhyam
• 2006 - Balram Vs Tara Das
• 2006 - Ennittum
• 2006 - Mahasamudram
• 2006 - Palunku
• 2006 - Rashtram
• 2006 - Lion
• 2006 - Aanachandam
• 2006 - Photographer
• 2006 - Thuruppugulan
• 2005 - Rappakal
• 2005 - Makalkku
• 2005 - Lokanathan IAS
• 2005 - Naran
• 2005 - Annorikal
• 2005 - Ullam
• 2005 - December
• 2005 - Thanmatra
• 2005 - Soumyam
• 2005 - Thommanum Makkalum
• 2005 - Nottam
• 2005 - Junior Senior
• 2005 - Boy Friend
• 2005 - By The People
• 2005 - Ben Johnson
• 2005 - Udayananu Tharam
  Udayananu Tharam
  Udayananu Tharam is a 2005 Malayalam comedy film that presents the southern Indian film industry through a satirical viewpoint. It was written by Sreenivasan and directed by debutant Rosshan Andrrews. The film stars Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Meena, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Mukesh in the lead roles...
  
  
• 2004 - Kaazhcha
• 2004 - Youth Festival
• 2004 - Amrutham
• 2004 - Parayam
• 2004 - Vismayathumbathu
• 2004 - Vellinakshatram
• 2004 - Symphony
• 2004 - Sathyam
• 2004 - Black
• 2004 - Udayam
• 2004 - Manjupoloru Penkutty
• 2004 - Perumazhakaalam
• 2004 - Vajram
• 2004 - Rain Rain Come Again
• 2004 - Thudakkam
• 2004 - 4 The People
• 2003 - Chronic Bachelor
• 2003 - Ammakilikkoodu
• 2003 - Sinkari Bolona
• 2003 - Pattanathil Sundaran
• 2003 - Vellithira
• 2003 - Thilakkam
• 2003 - Kasthuriman
• 2003 - Swantham Malavika
• 2003 - Mayamohithachandran
• 2003 - Pulival Kalyanam
• 2003 - Swapnakoodu

• 2002 - Pranayamanithooval
• 2002 - Kannaki
• 2002 - Kalyanaraman
• 2002 - Nammal
• 2002 - Kaalachakram
• 2002 - Thandavam
• 2002 - Yathrakarude Sradhakku
• 2001 - Uthaman
• 2001 - Onemanshow
• 2001 - Ishtam
• 2001 - Sundarapurushan
• 2000 - Vinayapoorvam Vidyadharan
• 2000 - Devadoothan
• 2000 - Satyam Shivam Sundaram
• 2000 - Mazhanool Kanavu
• 2000 - Aanamuttathe Angalamar
• 2000 - Santham
• 2000 - Life Is Beautiful
• 2000 - Thenkasipattanam
• 2000 - Nakshathragal Parayathirunnathu
• 2000 - Kannady Kadavathu
• 2000 - Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal
  Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal
  Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal is a 2000 Malayalam film by Sathyan Anthikkad starring Jayaram and his real-life son Kalidasan Jayaram. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.-Plot:...
  
  
• 1999 - 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...
  
  
• 1999 - Mazhavillu
• 1999 - Friends
• 1999 - Chandamama
• 1999 - Agnisakshi
• 1999 - Udayapuram Sulthan
• 1998 - Sidhartha
• 1998 - Harikrishnans
  Harikrishnans
  Harikrishnans is a 1998 Malayalam film directed by Fazil and starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Juhi Chawla in the lead roles...
  
  
• 1998 - Ayushman Bhava
• 1998 - Kattathoru Penpoovu
• 1998 - Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu
• 1997 - Irattakuttikalude Achan
• 1996 - Azhakiya Ravanan
• 1995 - Mazhayethum Munpe
• 1993 - Vatsalyam
• 1992 - Aayushkalam
• 1992 - Kauravar
• 1992 - Sooryamanasam
• 1992 - Kamaladalam
  Kamaladalam
  Kamaladalam is a Malayalam film released in 1992, written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil; featuring Mohanlal, Murali, Vineeth, Nedumudi Venu, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Monisha, Parvathy and Sukumari...
  
  
• 1991 - Advaitham
• 1991 - Ente Sooryaputhrikku
• 1991 - Sandesham
• 1991 - Bharatham
  Bharatham
  Bharatham 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...
  
  
• 1991 - Vishnulokam
• 1991 - 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...
  
  
• 1991 - Ulladakkam
• 1991 - Abhimanyu
• 1991 - 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....
  
  
• 1990 - Kalikkalam
• 1990 - His Highness Abdullah
  His Highness Abdullah
  His Highness Abdullah is a musical Malayalam film released in 1990, written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil; featuring Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Gauthami, Sreenivasan and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. It was produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts...
  
  
• 1990 - Thalayanamanthram
• 1990 - Paavam Paavam Rajakumaran
• 1990 - Kuttettan
• 1990 - Thoovalsparsam
• 1990 - Thazhvaram
• 1989 - Varavelppu
• 1989 - Ardham
• 1989 - Mazhavil Kavadi
• 1989 - Innale
  Innale
  Innale is a 1989 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan with Shobhana, Jayaram, Srividya and Suresh Gopi in pivotal roles.- Synopsis :Gauri the sole survivor of a tragic bus accident loses her memory...
  
  
• 1989 - Kireedam
  Kireedam
  Kireedam is a 1989 Indian film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A. K. Lohithadas. The film is about a Keralite youth whose hopes and aspirations are shattered by a combination of fate and human failing. It explores how society typecasts individuals and forces them to act that part whether...
  
  
• 1988 - Aryan
• 1988 - Vellanakalude Nadu

As composer

The major film song albums composed by Kaithapram:

• Rama Ravanan (20100
• Neelakasam Niraye (2002)
• Theerthadanam (2001)
• Udayapuram Sulthan (1999)
• Agni Sakshi (1999)
• Ennu Swantham Janakikutty (1998)
• Kattathoru Penpoovu (1998)
• Thattakam (1998)
• Kaikudunna Nilavu (1998)
• Thalolam (1998)
• Desadanam (1997)
• Karunyam (1997)
• Kottapurathe Koottukudumbam (1997)
• Kaliyattam (1997)
• Samrajyam (1990)
• Ayodhya (1975)

As actor

He has played the character of a classical or semi-classical singer/lyricsist in most of these films.
Some of the well-known films in which he has acted are:

• Ammayana Sathyam
• Savidham
• His Highness Abdullah
  His Highness Abdullah
  His Highness Abdullah is a musical Malayalam film released in 1990, written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil; featuring Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Gauthami, Sreenivasan and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. It was produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts...
  
  
• Jagratha
• Vaishali
• Swathithirunal
• Theerthadanam
• Deshadanam
• Sammanam

External links

• Kaithapram D. Nampoothiri at the Internet Movie Database