KOCHI: Poet, lyricist, music composer, actor, singer, screenplay writer and carnatic musician — Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri has endeared himself to Malayalis in many a garb. Every Keralite is proud of the versatile Kaithapram who is the son of musician the late Keshavan Namboothiri, popularly known as Kannadi Bhagavathar.
In the 25th year that marks his entry into filmdom, the versatile Kaithapram is all set to don a new role — that of a director.
Kaithapram made his entry into Malayalam cinema as a lyricist of one of Malayalam’s all-time hit song, ‘Devadundubhi’ in the film ‘Ennennum Kannettante’ directed by Fazil. After the song became a hit, he never had to look back. Kaithapram has written the lyrics of more than 300 films. Soon he stepped before the camera and did memorable roles in films such as ‘Swathithirunal’, ‘His Highness Abdulla’ and ‘Theerthadanam’. In many films, he acted as a carnatic singer. The songs of his film ‘Desadanam’ for which he composed the music was a big hit. Jayaraj’s ‘Sopanam’ had him doing the screenplay.
Kaithapram’s sons Deepankuran and Devadarshan are also into music. Deepankuran is a singer and has already sung in a handful of films. His brother, music composer Kaithapram Viswanathan Namboothiri, runs the Sruthilaya Music School at Payyanur. Kaithapram is the managing trustee of Swathithirunal Kala Kendram at Kozhikode which has more than 400 music students. He is also the recipient of numerous awards from various Government and cultural organisations. We hope that Kaithapram, who is the only cine artist in Kerala who has earned accolades as a lyricist and composer, will shine in his new role as a film director as well.
kochi@expressbuzz.com