Film Career
The first movie for which he composed music was Kaalam Maarunnu (1955). He teamed up with poet-lyricist Vayalar Ramavarma in Chathurangam in 1959. His third movie - and the second with Vayalar - Bharya (1962) became a huge hit and made them a popular combination. His captivating music earned him pride of place among those who had relentlessly strived to earn a dignified status for film songs. His combination with Vayalar produced the golden era of Malayalam film music. Devarajan is remembered by legendary singers in Malayalam like K. J. Yesudas and Jayachandran as their Godfather. In fact, it was the magical compositions by him that brought laurels to the main singers of that age. Devarajan was at one point of time regarded as the doyen of Film music in South India. He was much feared and respected by all musicians and singers of that period, for his sound knowledge in Classical music. It might be due to this dominance he had over others that he was widely known as arrogant. But he enjoyed a royal status till his death among the music circles.
Devarajan was the one who used maximum number of raaga's in Malayalam film music. His music embraced different styles with the Carnatic and Hindusthani melody lines meeting folk idioms and western harmony. Despite being a strong atheist, he composed brilliant devotional songs like "Harivarasanam", Guruvayoor ambalanadayil,Chethi mandaram thulasi, Nithya vishudhayam kanya mariyame etc. which are considered as classics in that genre. Also, he is particularly noted for his remarkable ability to blend the words of the lyrics with the mood of the situation, in his film song compositions. His compositions like Aayiram Padasarangal, Sanghupushpam, Sanyasini, Sanghamam, Chakravarthini, Chandrakalabham to name a few, surely come in as the best and the most popular songs in the Malayalam film music till now. Most of his hit songs were written by Vayalar Ramavarma and the combination of Vayalar-Devarajan-Yesudas was synonymous with beautiful songs. The Vayalar-Devarajan combine proved the most successful team till the death of Vayalar in the mid 1970s. Hundreds of songs contributed by the team are still part of Malayalis' nostalgia. Apart from Vayalar, he has also given tunes to the lyrics by other eminent poets and song writers like O. N. V. Kurup, P. Bhaskaran, Sreekumaran Thampi etc.
The name Devarajan master is remembered by Malayalam music lovers all over the world as the composer of deva raagas - divine melodies.
A complete work of Devarajan master Devageethikal composed by himself has released and the book is published by Authentic books.
Devarajan master died of a heart attack at his residence in Chennai on March 15, 2006 at the age of 81. He was cremated with state honours in Paravur, his hometown.
Read more about this topic: G. Devarajan
Famous quotes containing the words film and/or career:
“I’ll be right here.”
—Melissa Mathison, U.S. screenwriter, and Steven Spielberg. ET, ET The Extra-Terrestrial, saying goodbye to Elliot as he touches Elliot’s forehead—ET’s final words in the film (1982)
“I began my editorial career with the presidency of Mr. Adams, and my principal object was to render his administration all the assistance in my power. I flattered myself with the hope of accompanying him through [his] voyage, and of partaking in a trifling degree, of the glory of the enterprise; but he suddenly tacked about, and I could follow him no longer. I therefore waited for the first opportunity to haul down my sails.”
—William Cobbett (1762–1835)