Biography of Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri
Devadundubhi Sandralayam caught attention. That track came early - Fazil’s 1985 movie Ennenum Kannettante marked Kaithapram’s start as a lyricist. Over time, work piled up - three hundred films or so bear his words. Not every project stood out equally, yet Kudumbapuranam did. Another path unfolded quietly: Sopanam carried his touch not just in lyrics but in story structure too. Over twenty movies feature his performances - titles like Swathi Thirnal, Aryan, His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, and Deshadanam stand out. Winning the State Film Award for Best Lyricist happened in 1993; later, Azhakiya Raavanan brought another win by that category in 1996. Drama Song honors from the state government came twice his way. That same year, departure followed collaboration when he left the country alongside a music director. By 1997, recognition shifted - he earned the State Film Award for Best Music Director due to work on Karunyam.
A composer for more than two dozen movies - like Deshadanam, Kaliyattam, Thattakam, and ennu swartham janakikkutti - he's shaped soundtracks across decades. Over four hundred films carry his lyrical voice, each line built without chasing trends. Music rooted in Carnatic tradition earned him the Thulasivana honor, a nod to depth beyond cinema. When DYFI hosted Snehasangam in January 2017, identity shifted quietly as he dropped the caste tag once tied to his name. Recognition followed years later, the 2021 Padma Shri arriving not with fanfare but as quiet acknowledgment of persistent craft
That day in August four nineteen fifty started like any other, though few knew it would mark the arrival of someone from Kaithapram village in Kannur. Firstborn to Keshavan Namboothiri - some called him Kannadi Bhagavathar - and Aditi Antharjanam, life began quietly there. Music ran deep in the family; his father had learned directly under Chembai’s guidance. School days unfolded alongside lessons in Carnatic tradition, shaped by voices such as Pazhashithampuran, KP Panicker, and Bhavanithampuratti. Later on, SVS Narayanan at Poonjar Kovilakam added further depth to those early sounds. It happened during that stretch with Narayanan when paths crossed unexpectedly with the Thiruvarang Drama Society, far south in Thiruvananthapuram. Starting out in the 1970s with poems and songs. Acting came later, then composing tunes, singing too - all within Narendra Prasad’s 'Natyagriha'.
One moment spent in classical music shaped his path. Not just that, the Thulasivana Award came through for bold work. A different kind of honor followed - poetry brought him the Kuttamath prize. Five honors arrived later, handed down by state offices. Books took form under his name, like "Thichamundi." Another volume surfaced called "Kaithapram Poems." Then appeared writings on affection and epic tales, gathered into "Sneha Ramayana."
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