Jerry Amaldev

Jerome Thomas Veleeparambil (born 15 April 1939), professionally known as Jerry Amaldev, is an Indian music composer and conductor who has predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. A three-time recipient of the Kerala State Film Award, he is known for his melodic compositions, which blend elements of Indian classical music with accessible orchestral arrangements.

His notable films as a music director are Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Aparahnam, Ennennum Kannettante, Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku, Nokketha Dhoorathu Kannum Nattu and Guruji oru Vakku.

Personal life Jerry Amaldev was born as Jerome Thomas Veleeparambil, on 15 April 1939, to Mary and V. C. Joseph of Veleeparambil house in Kochi,Ernakulam in Kerala.

Jerome completed his high school education in 1955 at St. Albert's High School, Ernakulam. He obtained the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy from Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology

Amaldev was married to Jolly Jerry Amaldev and has three daughters Meera, Sangeeta and Dahlia. His wife died in 2008 due to cancer. Currently, he lives in Palatty, Kannachanthodu Road, Kochi.

Career Amaldev made his debut as a music director in Malayalam cinema with Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980), directed by Fazil. For the film, he received the Kerala State Award for Excellence in Music Direction. Prior to his debut, he worked as an assistant to the Indian music director Naushad.

Amaldev received training in Hindustani vocal music under Madhusoodan Patwardhan at the Vishnu Digambar Sangeet Vidyalaya in Pune. Following the commercial success of Manjil Virinja Pookkal, he became an active music director in the Malayalam film industry, composing music for approximately 75 films.

In addition to his work in Malayalam cinema, Amaldev conducted a musical programme during Pope John Paul II's visit to India, featuring a choir of 500 singers and an orchestra of 40 musicians. He has also composed music for several Hindi films.

During the early 2000s, Amaldev became less active in the Malayalam film industry. No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North was one of his last Malayalam film projects before his hiatus from film music.

Following his departure from the Malayalam film industry, Amaldev taught music at the American International School, Chennai. He later joined Choice School in Kochi as a music teacher, while also composing music for socially relevant films and television serials. He has also served as Professor of History of Music and Conducting, as well as Academic Adviser, at the Asian Christian College of Music in Kottayam.

Amaldev returned to Malayalam cinema in 2016 as the music director for the songs of Action Hero Biju, directed by Abrid Shine and starring Nivin Pauly.

Awards Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director – 1980 – Manjil Virinja Pookkal Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director – 1990 – Aparahnam [ Shared with Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath – Innale ] Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music – 1995 – Kazhakam Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Light Music – 2001

Partial discography

Year Film Lyricist Notes 1980 Manjil Virinja Pookkal Bichu Thirumala He won Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director. Background score was done by Guna Singh for which he won Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music 1981 Dwandha Yudham P. Bhaskaran 1982 Pooviriyum Pulari Poovachal Khader 1982 Oru Vilippadakale P. Bhaskaran 1983 Swapnalokum O. N. V. Kurup 1983 Ente Mamattukkuttiyammakku Bichu Thirumala 1984 Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu Bichu Thirumala Background score is done by Johnson. 1985 Kaanathaya Penkutty Sebastian Paul 1985 Puli Varunne Puli Bichu Thirumala 1985 Scene No. 7 P. Bhaskaran 1985 Punnaram Cholli Cholli O. N. V. Kurup Background score is done by Johnson. 1985 Koodum Thedi M. D. Rajendran Background score is done by Johnson. 1985 Guruji Oru Vakku Bichu Thirumala Background score is done by Johnson. 1985 Adhyayam Onnu Muthal M. D. Rajendran 1986 Aalorungi Arangorungi Poovachal Khader 1986 Adukkan Entheluppam Bichu Thirumala 1986 Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam Mullanezhi Background score is done by Shyam. 1986 Vivahithare Ithile Bichu Thirumala 1986 Sunil Vayassu 20 1986 Oppam Oppathinoppam Bichu Thirumala 1986 Neela Kurinji Poothappol Kavalam Narayana Panicker 1986 Ennennum Kannettante Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, Madhu Muttam, Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan 1991 Aparahnam He won Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director, shared with Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath. 1991 Ganamela Sasi Chittanjoor, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. 1995 No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North Girish Puthenchery 2016 Action Hero Biju Santhosh Varma, B K Harinarayanan All songs except, Muthe Ponne Pinangalle, were done by him. Muthe Ponne Pinangalle were done by V Suresh Thampanoor.

Background score is done by Rajesh Murugesan.2025e valayamSanthosh Varma, Rafeeq ahmed

Selected Malayalam songs Jerry Amaldev has composed numerous songs for Malayalam films. Some of his notable compositions include:

"Aayiram Kannumayi Kathirunnu" – Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu "Raave Nilaave" – Raave Nilaave "Pookkal Panineer Pookkal" – Action Hero Biju "Deva Dundubi" and "Poovattaka" – Ennennum Kannettante "Vaachalam En Mounavum" – Koodum Thedi "Penninte Chenchundil" – Guruji Oru Vakku "Alorungi Arangorungi" – Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku "Manjanikkombil" and "Mizhiyoram Nananjozhukum"– Manjil Virinja Pookkal "Kiliye" – Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu "Pavizhamalli Poothulanja" – Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam "Kur Kur Kurmozhikal" and "Poomukile"– Ariyathe (1986; unreleased) "Poovalla Poonthaliralla" – Kaattupothu (unreleased) "Mele Mele Maanam" and "Kokkorusumen" – No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North "Vellodin Kingini" and "Kaalamam Nadi Alakale" – E Valayam