Yusufali Kecheri is the only person to have written a film song in Sanskrit
Only one filmmaker ever penned a movie tune in Sanskrit - that was Yusufali Kecheri. Three such songs carry his words. A voice in Malayalam arts, he shaped poetry, lyrics, and direction. Leadership marked his time at Kerala Sahitya Akademi, where he led as president. His name stands apart in global cinema history. A boy came into the world on 16 May 1934, in Kechery, part of Thrissur district, his parents being Ahmed and Najmakutty Umma from Elamkulam. Studies led him to Kerala Varma College, also in Thrissur, where he earned a BA. After that step, law followed - first studying BL, then claiming it through success. His path included time spent working with legal cases as a practicing lawyer.
From the start, it was his older brother A.V. Ahmed who pushed Yusufali forward, lighting a quiet fire beneath his steps into literature. Though many poets walked similar paths, none matched Yusuf Ali when he crafted complete songs in Sanskrit - an unmatched turn in Indian poetry. His journey took shape with Zainab, the title of his first published book. Later on, cinema found him; Sindooracheppu emerged under Madhu’s direction, shaped by words penned entirely by Yusufali. Starting out in 1963, he stepped into film music without much fanfare. Though little noticed at first, his work began with "Moodupadam." A quiet shift came when "Mazha" took the National Award years later, in 2000. Each of those movies had Yusufali behind the camera. Then there's "Neelathamara," made back in 1979 - Lal Jose returned to it decades later, refilming under that very same title.
Falling ill with a problem in his lungs, he passed away on March 21, 2015. The place was Amrita Hospital, located in Kochi.
From the start, it was his older brother A.V. Ahmed who pushed Yusufali forward, lighting a quiet fire beneath his steps into literature. Though many poets walked similar paths, none matched Yusuf Ali when he crafted complete songs in Sanskrit - an unmatched turn in Indian poetry. His journey took shape with Zainab, the title of his first published book. Later on, cinema found him; Sindooracheppu emerged under Madhu’s direction, shaped by words penned entirely by Yusufali. Starting out in 1963, he stepped into film music without much fanfare. Though little noticed at first, his work began with "Moodupadam." A quiet shift came when "Mazha" took the National Award years later, in 2000. Each of those movies had Yusufali behind the camera. Then there's "Neelathamara," made back in 1979 - Lal Jose returned to it decades later, refilming under that very same title.
Falling ill with a problem in his lungs, he passed away on March 21, 2015. The place was Amrita Hospital, located in Kochi.
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