Chowallur Krishnankutty

Chowallur Krishnankutty (11 July 1936 – 26 June 2022) was an Indian lyricist, journalist, screenwriter and actor. He has penned hundreds of Malayalam devotional songs. The song Oru neramenkilum, from the Tharangini album Thulasi Theertham is the most popular of his lyrics. Krishnankutty had written screenplays and acted in several Malayalam films and also wrote the dialogues for the film Sargam. A recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Krishnankutty also served as the vice-chairman of the Kerala Kalamandalam.

Early life Krishnankutty was born on 11 July 1936 to Kodungalloor Kavil Warriath Sankunny Warrier and Chowallur Warriath Parukkutty Warrasyar at his maternal home, Chowallur Warriam, near Guruvayur. Krishnankutty completed his education from Iringapuram Makkunni Memorial School, Mattom St. Francis High School and Sree Kerala Varma College.

Career Chowallur Krishnankutty began his career as a journalist in 1959 as the sub-editor at Navajeevan, a daily newspaper published from Thrissur, under Joseph Mundassery. The base story for Oru Katha Oru Nunakkatha was penned by Krishnankutty. He wrote the dialogues for the 1992 film Sargam. Thereafter he wrote scripts for Naaraayam, Chaithanyam , Sasinas and Sreeragam. He had done documentaries on Chembai Viadyanadha Bhagavathar, Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Appukutty Pothuval, Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, Kudamaloor Karunakaran Nair and Champakulam Pachu Pillai. He also acted in films like Maram, Nellu, Thiruvonam, Srishti, Shalini Ente Koottukari and Anyarude Bhoomi.

He entered into filmi lyricist field in 1976 by writing the song Swapnadanam njan thudarunnu for the movie Thulavarsham, composed by Salil Chowdhury. He then wrote songs for the 1981 film Kalopasana, composed by K. Raghavan, his long-time associate in Akashavani. and Ayyappa Bhakthiganangal Vol. 6 , composed by Gangai Amaran, both released in 1986. He had written around 3500 devotional songs and 27 books in various genres. 1991 – Best Professional Drama Music Lyricist Award by the Government of Kerala for the play Agraharam. 2009 – Sree Nagaraja Award for Literature instituted by Pambady Sree Pambumkavu 2009 – Kerala Kalamandalam Mukunda Raja Memorial Award 2013 – Guruvandanam honour by Kerala Sahitya Akademi at Viswa Malayala Mahotsavam 2012. 2013 – Jnanappana Award by Guruvayur Devaswom 2017 – Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Humour for Ezuthanukaranam Anurananangalum.

Personal life Krishnankutty was married to Thrissilassery Warriath Saraswathy Warassyar and they had two children, Usha and Unnikrishnan.