M. G. Radhakrishnan

Malabar Gopalan Nair Radhakrishnan (29 July 1940 – 2 July 2010) was an Indian music director and Carnatic vocalist from Kerala.

Personal life

M. G. Radhakrishnan was born on 29 July 1940 at Haripad, in Alappuzha district, Kerala as the eldest of three children of music composer and harmonist Malabar Gopalan Nair and Harikatha exponent Kamalakshi marasyar. He studied at the S. D. College, Alappuzha, and undertook Ganabhooshanam from Swathi Thirunal College of Music. K. J. Yesudas was one of his classmates there. His younger brother M. G. Sreekumar is a playback singer in Malayalam and Tamil cinema and his younger sister K. Omanakutty is a carnatic vocalist and academic.

Radhakrishnan was married to Padmaja, who was herself famous as a poet, lyricist and classical dancer. They had two children - M. R. Rajakrishnan and Karthika. Their son Rajakrishnan is a well-known sound recordist, who has worked in many films. He died on 2 July 2010 at KIMS hospital in Thiruvananthapuram due to liver disease, less than a month short of his 70th birthday.

Career M. G. Radhakrishnan was a disciple of Sree Vidyadhiraja Hridayanjali, an Indian ascetic, and composed music for the ascetic's lyrics, Radhakrishnan introduced K. S. Chithra, a singer and a student of Omanakutty, to the film and music industry by employing her in the film Attahaasam.

Death Radhakrishnan died from liver cirrhosis on 2 July 2010 at KIMS hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was admitted there a week earlier after his condition worsened, and was in ventilator since then. He was less than a month short of his 70th birthday when he died. He was cremated with full state honours at Thaikkad Santhikavadam electronic crematorium on the next day. He is survived by his son Rajakrishnan, daughter Karthika, granddaughters Nandana and Gouriparvathy, sister Omanakutty and brother Sreekumar. His wife Padmaja, who outlived him for nearly ten years, died on 15 June 2020 following a heart attack.

Awards Kerala State Film Awards

2005 – Best Music Director – Ananthabadram 2001 – Best Music Director – Achaneyaanenikkishtam

Asianet Film Awards 2005 – Best Music Director Award – Anandabhadram 2001 – Best Music Director Award – Kaate Vannu Vilichappol

Others 2004 – Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship 1995 – Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award

Filmography