KOCHI: Johnson began his independent career by composing the film scores of Bharathan’s ‘Aaravam’, ‘Thakara’ and ‘Chamaram’.
He composed his first soundtrack for the film ‘Inaye Thedi’, debut film of Antony Eastman and actress Silk Smitha. Devarajan himself suggested Johnson’s name to the director.
Johnson Master’s melodies are like a soothing tune emanating from a flute as in the lines “Idayante Hrudayathil Niranjoreenam, oru mulam thandiloode ozhuki vannu...” in the song ‘Melle Melle...’ from the movie ‘Oru Minnamininginte Nurungu Vettam’, which is considered one of his masterpieces.
Devarajan Touch
The influence of the legendary P Devarajan Master, who handpicked Johnson from a local evening band in Thrissur, was evident in almost all songs that he rendered music for. Johnson entered the Malayalam film music industry through ‘Aaravam’ directed by Bharathan in the late 1970s. The first film itself proved the versatility of Johnson as a musician.
The early 80s saw Johnson slowly conquering Mollywood with enchanting melodies such as ‘Aadi Vaa Katte...’ in the movie ‘Koodevide’. It was a clear example of how a music director was able to delve deep into the psyche of the character.
After ‘Koodevide’, Johnson worked wonders with director Padmarajan in movies like ‘Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal’ and ‘Njan Gandharvan’. Songs like ‘Pavizham Pol Pavizhadharam Pol...’ and ‘Aakashamaake...’ in ‘Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal’ and ‘Devanganangal Kayyozhinja Tharakam...’, ‘Devi Aatmaragamekan...’ and ‘Pala Poove...’ in ‘Njan Gandharvan’ are still the hot favourites of Malayalis.
If ever there was a song that conveyed the entire theme of a film, ‘Kanneerpoovinte Kavilil Thalodi...’ in ‘Kireedam’ says it all. Its music is powerful enough to convey the helplessness of the protagonist Sethumadhavan and at the same time evokes the pain in viewers.
The song turned out to be a huge hit which saw the birth of a lyricist-composer duo in Kaithapram-Johnson in Mollywood.
Together they worked wonders in songs like ‘Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu’ (Chenkol), ‘Ponnil Kulichu Ninnu Chandrika Vasantham’, ‘Chandana Cholayil’, ‘Panchavarna Payinkili Penne’ (Sallapam), ‘Swarna Mukile’ (Ithu Njangalude Katha), ‘Ennittum Nee Enne Aranjillallo’ (Naseema), ‘Isabella’ (Isabella), ‘Anuragini Itha En’ (Oru Kuda Kizhil), ‘Oru Dalam Mathram’ (Jalakam)
Johnson was a constant feature in Sathyan Anthikkad movies till ‘Yathrakkarude Shradhakku’.
The hit songs from Sathyam-Johnson team include ‘Pallitherundo’, ‘Thankathoni Thenmalayoram Kande’, ‘Mainaka Ponmudiyil’ (Mazhavilkavadi), ‘Maya Ponmane’ (Thalayanamanthram), ‘Thane Poovitta Moham’ (Sasneham), ‘Doore Doore Sagaram’ (Varavelppu), ‘Pavizha Malli Poothulanja Neelavanam’ (Sanmanasullavarkku Samadhanam), ‘Shyamambharam’ (Artham), ‘Poothalam Valamkayilenthi’ (Kalikkalam), ‘Kunni Mani Cheppu Thurannu’ (Ponmutta Idunna Tharavu). The last superhit song from this combination was ‘Onnu Thodan Ullil Theera Moham’ (Yathrakkarude Shradhakku) that came out in 2003-04.
He also worked for Kamal’s films, the notable songs being ‘Pathi Mey Maranjathenthe’ (Paavam Paavam Rajakumaran), ‘Kathirola Pandhalarukki Malloru’ (Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal), ‘Pathira Pullunarnu’, ‘Kakka Karumban Kandal Kurumban’ (Ea Puzhayum Kadannu).
Towards the middle of the first decade of the millenium, Johnson became more selective. His last released movie was ‘Kanakkombathu’ (2011) and the last big hit came in the movie ‘Photographer’ (2006) through the song ‘Enthe Kannanu Karuppu Niram’.