Shyam (composer)
Encyclopedia
Samuel Joseph alias Shyam is a popular Malayalam music director
from Tamil Nadu
, India
. He has scored music for over 300 films including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi languages. He also composed many Christian devotional songs. He is best known for the background scores for Malayalam thriller films of eighties and early nineties.
Apart from his music scores in movies, his theme musics are still considered as the finest example of scores ever composed in Malayalam cinema. His theme music of Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, August 1, Moonamura, Irupatham Noottandu are popular even today. He is famous for creating fast number along with slow melodies. He won the Kerala State award for the best music composer for the years 1983 (Film: Aroodam) and 1984 (Film: Kanamarayathu
).
in Tamil Nadu
state. His parents both were teachers and Shyam is a malayalee maternally, she hails from Palakkad
. He learned music from his mother who used to play organ in church. He spent his childhood days in madras city. He was the only child to his parents and had spent many lonely times during his childhood and this was overcome by learning music. During these days he became interested in string instruments, especially the violin, which his father bought him. At age of 15 he became the discipline of Dhanraj master who teach him western music which inspired him a lot during his musical career.
, Baburaj
, Devarajan, S.M. Subaiya Naidu, Rama Murthy etc. He also had a deep relation with north Indian music director Salil Chowdhury
with whom he had worked in many Malayalam movies including chemmeen
.
who introduced him in Malayalam for the film Manya Shree Vishwamitran directed by versatile Malayalam actor Madhu
. The songs in the film became superhit, "Kettile Kottayathoru Mutha Pullachan" in the movie was an all time hit. Thus he became popular throughout Kerala
. Since then he never had to look back and he started composing many films in Malayalam and other south Indian languages. His notable famous works are done in Malayalam films. He is some of the few composers in Mollywood
who had worked in both Black&white as well as Colour films. He is considered as one of the best all time music directors in Malayalam film industry. Famous Tamil music director Harris Jayaraj
's father S.M Jayakumar worked as his assistant for many years.
His work for the malayalam film Daisy
was very well praised, all the songs in the film was all time chartbusters. His another notable works during his last active years are Nadodikattu, Nirakkoottu
, New Delhi
, Kanamarayathu'. He is also famous for creating film theme music and his theme music are popular even today. The 2009 Malayalam movie Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded extracted the theme music from his movie Irupatham Noottandu
.
.
Other awards:
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...
from Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
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...
. He has scored music for over 300 films including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi languages. He also composed many Christian devotional songs. He is best known for the background scores for Malayalam thriller films of eighties and early nineties.
Apart from his music scores in movies, his theme musics are still considered as the finest example of scores ever composed in Malayalam cinema. His theme music of Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, August 1, Moonamura, Irupatham Noottandu are popular even today. He is famous for creating fast number along with slow melodies. He won the Kerala State award for the best music composer for the years 1983 (Film: Aroodam) and 1984 (Film: Kanamarayathu
Kanamarayathu
Kanamarayathu is a 1984 Malayalam film written by Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi. It strars Mammootty, Rahman, Lalu Alex, Shobhana and Seema. This film won 1984 Kerala State Film Awards for the Best Story , Best Music Director and Best Female Singer .-Plot:Sherly is an orphan who is...
).
Early influences
Shyam was born in 1938 to a Tamil Christian family in MylaporeMylapore
Mylapore is a cultural hub and neighborhood in the southern part of the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. Earlier, Mylapore used to be called Vedapuri....
in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
state. His parents both were teachers and Shyam is a malayalee maternally, she hails from Palakkad
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
. He learned music from his mother who used to play organ in church. He spent his childhood days in madras city. He was the only child to his parents and had spent many lonely times during his childhood and this was overcome by learning music. During these days he became interested in string instruments, especially the violin, which his father bought him. At age of 15 he became the discipline of Dhanraj master who teach him western music which inspired him a lot during his musical career.
Music career
Shyam started as a violinist in some drama troupes during his early carrier. He was introduced to musical industry by the great M.S.Viswanathan, fondly called as MSV. He first played violin for music director C.N Pandurangan and was in the last row in the team later he made to lead row ending in solo. Thus he earn a good name as a violinist and had worked with many Famous music personalities at that times such as V. DakshinamoorthyV. Dakshinamoorthy
V. Dakshinamoorthy is a veteran carnatic musician and music director of Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films, predominantly in Malayalam films. He has set scores for the songs in over 125 films. He is now retired from film music direction but is still active in classical music...
, Baburaj
Baburaj
Mohammad Sabir Baburaj , also known as M. S. Baburaj, was a Malayalam music composer. He is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. Baburaj has rendered music to many evergreen Malayalam film songs.-Early years:...
, Devarajan, S.M. Subaiya Naidu, Rama Murthy etc. He also had a deep relation with north Indian music director Salil Chowdhury
Salil Chowdhury
Salil Chowdhury was an Indian music composer. He mainly composed for Bengali, Hindi, and Malayalam films. He was also a poet and a playwright. He is affectionately called Salilda by all his admirers....
with whom he had worked in many Malayalam movies including chemmeen
Chemmeen
Chemmeen is a 1965 Malayalam romantic drama film based on the highly acclaimed novel of the same name by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and directed by Ramu Kariat from a screenplay by S. L...
.
Film career
Shyam entered film industry as a music director for Tamil film Etrikal Jagrathai in 1968. During these time he also worked as assistant music director for Salil Choudhary, and he continued music direction for various hit Tamil films. It was Malayalam actress SheelaSheela
Sheela ), is a Malayalam film actress from India. She, along with Prem Nazir, holds the world record for acting in the largest number of films together as heroine and hero. In 2005 she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Akale. She has also...
who introduced him in Malayalam for the film Manya Shree Vishwamitran directed by versatile Malayalam actor Madhu
Madhu
Madhu may refer to:* Madhu, a term in Hindi-Urdu, Sanskrit, and other languages for honey and alcohol * Madhu, in Hindu mythology, one of the asura brothers Madhu-Kaitabh, killed by Lord Vishnu...
. The songs in the film became superhit, "Kettile Kottayathoru Mutha Pullachan" in the movie was an all time hit. Thus he became popular throughout Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Since then he never had to look back and he started composing many films in Malayalam and other south Indian languages. His notable famous works are done in Malayalam films. He is some of the few composers in Mollywood
Mollywood
Mollywood may refer to:* Malayalam Cinema, sector of Indian film industry* LDS cinema, Mormon film industry...
who had worked in both Black&white as well as Colour films. He is considered as one of the best all time music directors in Malayalam film industry. Famous Tamil music director Harris Jayaraj
Harris Jayaraj
Harris Jayaraj is an Indian film composer. He has written scores and soundtracks for Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films.- Early life :Harris Jayaraj hails from a pious Christian Nadar family and was born and brought up in Chennai. Harris studied at Krishnaswamy Matric School, Nungambakam. His father,...
's father S.M Jayakumar worked as his assistant for many years.
His work for the malayalam film Daisy
Daisy (1988 film)
Daisy is a 1988 Malayalam musical - romance film depicting separation and longing set in a boarding school, written and directed by Prathap K. Pothan. It stars Harish and Sonia in the lead roles, Lakshmi in another pivotal role, and Kamal Hassan in a guest appearance. The screenplay was written by...
was very well praised, all the songs in the film was all time chartbusters. His another notable works during his last active years are Nadodikattu, Nirakkoottu
Nirakkoottu
Nirakkoottu is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Joshy, written by Dennis Joseph, and starring Mammootty. The music was by Shyam.-Plot:...
, New Delhi
New Delhi (1987 film)
New Delhi is a Malayalam thriller film directed by Joshiy and starring Mammootty in the lead role. It is one of the biggest hits in the history of Malayalam cinema. The theme of the movie - the story of avenge followed by series of killings - was adapted in many later films...
, Kanamarayathu'. He is also famous for creating film theme music and his theme music are popular even today. The 2009 Malayalam movie Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded extracted the theme music from his movie Irupatham Noottandu
Irupatham Noottandu
Irupatham Noottandu is a 1987 Malayalam film directed by K. Madhu and featuring Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Ambika, and Jagathy Sreekumar. It became one of the biggest blockbusters in Malayalam film history. The script was writtern by S. N. Swamy...
.
Family
He is married to Violet Shyam, and they have settled down in Chennai. He has three children. Two sons and one daughter. Sons are working in America. Daughter is settled in KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
.
His words during an interview in 2006
പുതിയ മലയാളം പാട്ടുകള് ടെലിവിഷനില് കാണാറും കേള്ക്കാറുമുണ്ട്. "സംഗീത സങ്കല്പ്പങ്ങള് തന്നെ മാറിയില്ലേ? മുന്പ് മെലഡിക്കായിരുന്നു പ്രാധാന്യമെങ്കില് ഇപ്പോള് റിഥമാണ് മുന്നില്. കാലത്തിന്റെ അനിവാര്യതയാകാം. എങ്കിലും നല്ല പാട്ടുകള് ഇപ്പോഴും വരുന്നുണ്ട്".Achievements
- He is the few composers in Indian film industry who had work in both Colour and Black&white films and get appreciated in both periods.
- He is some of very few composers in kerala famous for Film Theme Musics
- In Kerala 2 out of 20 mobile phones ring his music as ringtone from his vaious movies, especially from film theme music like Oru CBI Diary, Irupatham Noottandu etc.
Awards
Kerala State Film Awards:- Best Music DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best Music DirectorThe 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...
- 1983 - Aroodam - Best Music DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best Music DirectorThe 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...
- 1984 - KanamarayathuKanamarayathuKanamarayathu is a 1984 Malayalam film written by Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi. It strars Mammootty, Rahman, Lalu Alex, Shobhana and Seema. This film won 1984 Kerala State Film Awards for the Best Story , Best Music Director and Best Female Singer .-Plot:Sherly is an orphan who is...
Other awards:
- Devarajan Master Memorial Award
- Mathruboomi Award for Best Music
- Several Critics Award
Famous Malayalam Songs
- "Kettille Kottayathoru" - Manya Shree Vishwamitran
- "Ormathan Vasatha" - DaisyDaisy (1988 film)Daisy is a 1988 Malayalam musical - romance film depicting separation and longing set in a boarding school, written and directed by Prathap K. Pothan. It stars Harish and Sonia in the lead roles, Lakshmi in another pivotal role, and Kamal Hassan in a guest appearance. The screenplay was written by...
- "Thenmazhayo" - DaisyDaisy (1988 film)Daisy is a 1988 Malayalam musical - romance film depicting separation and longing set in a boarding school, written and directed by Prathap K. Pothan. It stars Harish and Sonia in the lead roles, Lakshmi in another pivotal role, and Kamal Hassan in a guest appearance. The screenplay was written by...
- "Poomaname" - NirakkoottuNirakkoottuNirakkoottu is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Joshy, written by Dennis Joseph, and starring Mammootty. The music was by Shyam.-Plot:...
- "Vaishaka Sandya" - Nadodikattu
- "Oru Madhura Kinavin" - KanamarayathuKanamarayathuKanamarayathu is a 1984 Malayalam film written by Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi. It strars Mammootty, Rahman, Lalu Alex, Shobhana and Seema. This film won 1984 Kerala State Film Awards for the Best Story , Best Music Director and Best Female Singer .-Plot:Sherly is an orphan who is...
- "Shyamamegame Nee" - Adipan
- "Anchitalil Viriyum" - UyarangalilUyarangalilUyarangalil is a 1984 Malayalam thriller film directed by I. V. Sasi, written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair, and produced by S. Pavamani; starring Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Rahman, Kajal Kiran, Swapna, and Ratheesh in the lead roles.-Plot:...
- "Mainakam kadalil" - Thrishna
- "Devadaaru poothu" - ' 'Engane Nee Marakkum' '
- "Olangal Thalam Thallumbol" - Kadathu
Famous hits
- Oru CBI Diary Kurippu Theme music
- Oru Nokku Kaanan
- Love Story
- Manu UncleManu UncleManu Uncle is a 1988 Malayalam children's film written and directed by Dennis Joseph starring Mammootty in title role. The film is regarded as one of the best children's film ever in Malayalam cinema and it won a National Award and a Kerala State Film Award....
- NirakkoottuNirakkoottuNirakkoottu is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Joshy, written by Dennis Joseph, and starring Mammootty. The music was by Shyam.-Plot:...
- Daisy
- NadodikkattuNadodikkattuNadodikattu is a 1987 Malayalam comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Sreenivasan. The story revolves around two impecunious young Malayali men, Ramdas aka Dasan and Vijayan who not being able to find any job in Kerala, plan to go to Dubai to make their fortunes, but get...
- New DelhiNew Delhi (1987 film)New Delhi is a Malayalam thriller film directed by Joshiy and starring Mammootty in the lead role. It is one of the biggest hits in the history of Malayalam cinema. The theme of the movie - the story of avenge followed by series of killings - was adapted in many later films...
- Kanamarayathu
- PattanapraveshamPattanapraveshamPattanapravesham is a 1988 Malayalam comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Sreenivasan. It is the sequel to Nadodikkattu and follows the story of Dasan and Vijayan who are now CIDs and are investigating a homicide case...
- Angadi