P Bhaskaran, poet with the soft touch, dies at 83

Eminent Malayalam poet P Bhaskaran, who left a deep impression in Kerala’s cultural realm as writer...

Eminent Malayalam poet P Bhaskaran, who left a deep impression in Kerala’s cultural realm as writer, lyricist and director for over five decades, died at his residence here today, family sources said.

He was 83 and had been keeping unwell for quite some time. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Bhaskaran, who dominated Malayalam cinema along with the late Vayalar Ramavarma as top-notch lyricist for long, penned hundreds of songs known for their romantic charm and soft lyrical touch.

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He was instrumental in freeing Malayalam film music from the influence of the Hindi and Tamil playback styles in the 1950s, by writing simple and lucid lines set to original music by veteran directors. Still, many of his widely appreciated scores are hailed for their “ghazal touch”.

Bhaskaran’s vintage numbers, most of them composed by K Raghavan and MS Baburaj, form part of the Malayalis’ nostalgia. His songs in the 1960s launched careers of top singers, including KJ Yesudas and Jayachandran, and made S Janaki one of the most favourite female voices in Malayalam.

He is also a trail-blazer of modern Malayalam film and his 1959 classic Neelakkuyil, which he co-directed with Ramu Karyat, is regarded in Kerala as the first successful attempt to hold a mirror to social realities.