Shenna87P79423 at 02:06, 8 October 2025

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{{Short description|Indian lyricist (1936–2022)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Chowallur|Krishnankutty|Indian name|lang=Toponymic}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chowallur Krishnankutty
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_name = Chowallur Warriath Krishnankutty
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1936|07|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Chowallur, [[Kingdom of Cochin]], [[Dominion of India|Union of India]]<br />(present-day [[Thrissur district]], Kerala, India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|06|26|1936|07|11|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Thrissur]], Kerala, India
| occupation = Lyricist, journalist, screenwriter, actor
| alma mater = [[Sree Kerala Varma College]]
| years_active = 1959–2022
| website = {{URL|chowallurkrishnankutty.com}}
}}
'''Chowallur Krishnankutty''' (11 July 1936 – 26 June 2022) was an Indian lyricist, journalist, screenwriter and actor. He has penned hundreds of [[Malayalam]] devotional songs. The song ''Oru neramenkilum'', from the [[Tharangini Records|Tharangini]] album ''Thulasi Theertham'' is the most popular of his lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Ravi |date=2021-08-30 |title=ഒരു നേരമെങ്കിലും |trans-title=The song which took birth in Guruvayur, which even the atheists too love. |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/columns/oru-neramenkilum-devotional-song-chowalloor-krishnankutty-lyricist-yedudas-ts-radhakrishnan-1.5956686 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826192006/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/columns/oru-neramenkilum-devotional-song-chowalloor-krishnankutty-lyricist-yedudas-ts-radhakrishnan-1.5956686 |archive-date=2024-08-26 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]] |language=ml}}</ref> Krishnankutty had written screenplays and acted in several Malayalam films and also wrote the dialogues for the film ''[[Sargam (1992 film)|Sargam]]''. A recipient of the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]], Krishnankutty also served as the vice-chairman of the [[Kerala Kalamandalam]].<ref name='new'>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-26 |title=Writer Chowalloor Krishnankutty passes away |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/Jun/26/writer-chowalloor-krishnankutty-passes-away-2470075.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="times">{{Cite web |last=Narayanan |first=Nijeesh |date=2022-06-28 |title=Chowallur Krishnankutty redefined the style of devotional songs |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/he-redefined-the-style-of-devotional-songs/articleshow/92503481.cms |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

==Early life==
Krishnankutty was born on 11 July 1936 to Kodungalloor Kavil Warriath Sankunny Warrier and Chowallur Warriath Parukkutty Warrasyar at his maternal home, Chowallur Warriam, near [[Guruvayur]].<ref name="mm">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-27 |title=Renowned devotional songwriter Chowalloor Krishnankutty dies |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/06/27/song-writer-chowalloor-krishnankutty-dies.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=[[Malayala Manorama|OnManorama]]}}</ref> Krishnankutty completed his education from [[Iringaprom|Iringapuram]] Makkunni Memorial School, Mattom St. Francis High School and [[Sree Kerala Varma College]].<ref name='bio'>{{Cite web |title=Biography |url=https://chowallurkrishnankutty.com/biography/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=chowallurkrishnankutty.com}}</ref>

==Career==
Chowallur Krishnankutty began his career as a journalist in 1959 as the sub-editor at Navajeevan, a [[Newspaper|daily newspaper]] published from [[Thrissur]], under [[Joseph Mundassery]].<ref name='mm' /> The Guruvayur Arts Club, of which he was one of the founding members, was a pioneer in stage plays which saw accomplished artists like [[K. P. A. C. Lalitha|KPAC Lalitha]] join the artistic hub and perform. In the early 1960s, Chowallur did research in [[folk arts]] in Kerala with a scholarship from the [[Department of Higher Education (India)|Department of Higher Education]]. Later he submitted the work under the supervision of
Dr. K. N. Pisharody, the then chairman of Kerala Kalamandalam and [[Kavalam Narayana Panicker]], the then secretary of the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]]. He then moved to Guruvayur in 1963 as the [[Editor-in-chief|editor]] of Swathanthra Mandapam, the first evening daily from the town. Later he joined [[All India Radio]], [[Kozhikode]], working as a staff artist for two years under [[Uroob]].<ref name='bio' /><ref name='times' /> When [[Malayala Manorama]] launched its unit in Kozhikode in 1966, he joined the editorial team and retired in 2004.<ref name='mm' /> He was also a percussionist.<ref name='new' />

Krishnankutty's first film as a screenwriter was ''[[Prabhaathasandhya]]'', produced by [[Madhu (actor)|Madhu]] and directed by [[P. Chandrakumar]].<ref name="mm1">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-27 |title=ഇനി, ഗാനമുദ്ര! ഓർമകളിൽ ചൊവ്വല്ലൂർ കൃഷ്ണൻകുട്ടി |trans-title=Memories of Chovvalloor Krishnankutty.html |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/music-news/2022/06/27/memories-of-chovvalloor-krishnankutty.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202113505/https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/music-news/2022/06/27/memories-of-chovvalloor-krishnankutty.html |archive-date=2023-12-02 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[Malayala Manorama]]}}</ref> The base story for ''[[Oru Katha Oru Nunakkatha]]'' was penned by Krishnankutty. He wrote the dialogues for the 1992 film ''[[Sargam (1992 film)|Sargam]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-27 |title=Kerala CM condoles death of noted devotional songwriter andscribe Chowalloor Krishnankutty |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kerala-cm-condoles-death-of-noted-devotional-songwriter-and-scribe-chowalloor-krishnankutty/articleshow/92494196.cms |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Thereafter he wrote scripts for ''[[Naaraayam (film)|Naaraayam]]'', ''Chaithanyam'', ''Sasinas'' and ''[[Sreeragam]]''. He had done documentaries on [[Chembai|Chembai Viadyanadha Bhagavathar]], [[Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma]], [[Ramankutty Nair|Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair]], [[Appukutty Poduval|Kalamandalam Appukutty Pothuval]], [[Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair]], [[Kudamaloor Karunakaran Nair]] and [[Champakulam Pachu Pillai]].<ref name="hindu">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-22 |title=Tearful adieu to Chovvallur Krishnankutty |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tearful-adieu-to-chovvallur-krishnankutty/article65573259.ece |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628003532/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tearful-adieu-to-chovvallur-krishnankutty/article65573259.ece |archive-date=2022-06-28 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> He also acted in films like ''[[Maram (film)|Maram]]'', ''[[Nellu (1974 film)|Nellu]]'', ''[[Thiruvonam (film)|Thiruvonam]]'', ''[[Srishti (film)|Srishti]]'', ''[[Shalini Ente Koottukari]]'' and ''[[Anyarude Bhoomi]]''.

He entered into [[filmi]] lyricist field in 1976 by writing the song ''Swapnadanam njan thudarunnu'' for the movie ''[[Thulavarsham]]'', composed by [[Salil Chowdhury]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Ravi |date=2020-07-10 |title=വയലാര്‍ മുങ്ങി; അങ്ങനെ ചൊവ്വല്ലൂര്‍ പാട്ടെഴുത്തുകാരനായി |trans-title=Chowallur becomes the lyricist in the absence of [[Vayalar Ramavarma|Vayalar]] |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/columns/ravi-menon-paatuvazhiyorathu-column-chowallur-krishnankutty-birthday-1.4894880 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]] |language=ml}}</ref> He then wrote songs for the 1981 film ''[[Kalopasana]]'', composed by [[K. Raghavan]], his long-time associate in [[Akashavani]].<ref name="mm1" />

Krishnankutty's association with [[K. J. Yesudas]] and his [[Tharangini Records]] made some of the most popular Malayalam [[Hindu]] devotional albums including ''Thulasi Theertham'', composed by [[T. S. Radhakrishnan]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-09 |title=Top 10 devotional songs in Malayalam by Yesudas |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2020/01/09/k-j-yesudas-top-10-devotional-songs.html |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[Malayala Manorama|OnManorama]]}}</ref> and ''Ayyappa Bhakthiganangal Vol. 6'', composed by [[Gangai Amaran]], both released in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayyappadas |first=P. |date=2022-12-06 |title=അയ്യനു മുന്നിലുണരുന്ന ഭക്തിയുടെ ഉഷസ്സ്; അതിലുദിക്കുന്ന ഊർജം: ആ പാട്ടിന്റെ കഥ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/features/2022/12/06/story-about-tharanginis-ayyappa-songs-and-chovvalloor.html |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=[[Malayala Manorama]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-27 |title=Chowalloor Krishnankutty: ഉദിച്ചുയർന്നു…: ഓർമ്മയായത് മലയാളികൾ ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ കേട്ട അയ്യപ്പ ഗാനങ്ങളുടെ സൃഷ്ടാവ് |url=https://malayalam.indiatoday.in/art-culture/story/farewell-creator-most-listened-ayyappa-songs-418114-2022-06-27 |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> He had written around 3500 devotional songs and 27 books in various genres.<ref name='bio' /><ref name='hindu' />

Krishnankutty served as a member of [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]], [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] and as the vice-chairman of [[Kerala Kalamandalam]].<ref name="hindu" /> He also served in the editorial boards of ''Bhakthapriya'', a [[Guruvayur Devaswom Board|Guruvayur Devaswom]] publication, ''Sree Guruvayurappn Masika'', published by Guruvayurappn Sankeertana Trust, ''Nostagia Lifestyle'' magazine etc.<ref name='bio' />

==Accolades==
Krishnankutty had won numerous awards and honours in his career. It includes,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards |url=https://chowallurkrishnankutty.com/awards/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=chowallurkrishnankutty.com}}</ref><ref name='bio' /><ref name='hindu' />

* 1953 – Gold Medal for Poetry in the competition organised by [[Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Literature |url=https://chowallurkrishnankutty.com/literature/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=chowallurkrishnankutty.com}}</ref>
* 1991 – Best Professional Drama Music Lyricist Award by the [[Government of Kerala]] for the play ''Agraharam''.
* 2009 – Sree Nagaraja Award for Literature instituted by Pambady Sree Pambumkavu<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-10-06 |title=Sree Nagaraja Awards presented |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2009/Oct/06/sree-nagaraja-awards-presented-94052.html |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>
* 2009 – [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] [[:ml:മണക്കുളം മുകുന്ദ രാജ|Mukunda Raja]] Memorial Award<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Kalamandalam Awards |url=https://www.kalamandalam.ac.in/awards |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[Kerala Kalamandalam]]}}</ref>
* 2013 – ''Guruvandanam'' honour by [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] at [[Viswa Malayala Mahotsavam 2012]].
* 2013 – [[Jnanappana]] Award by [[Guruvayur Devaswom Board|Guruvayur Devaswom]]
* 2017 – [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Humour]] for ''Ezuthanukaranam Anurananangalum''.<ref name="hindu1">{{Cite web |date=2019-01-24 |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards announced |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-sahitya-akademi-awards-announced/article26073815.ece |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426000541/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-sahitya-akademi-awards-announced/article26073815.ece |archive-date=2023-04-26 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Krishnankutty was married to Thrissilassery Warriath Saraswathy Warassyar and they had two children, Usha and Unnikrishnan.<ref name='mm' />

==Death==
Krishnankutty died on 26 June 2022 at [[Amala Institute of Medical Sciences]], [[Thrissur]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-22 |title=സാഹിത്യകാരൻ ചൊവ്വല്ലൂർ കൃഷ്ണൻകുട്ടി അന്തരിച്ചു |trans-title=Writer Chowalloor Krishnankutty has passed away |url=https://www.mediaoneonline.com/kerala/writer-chowalloor-krishnankutty-has-passed-away-182755 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[MediaOne TV]] |language=ml}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://chowallurkrishnankutty.com/ Official website]
* {{IMDb name|2567537}}
* [https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=lyricist&artist=Chowalloor%20Krishnankutty Chowallur Krishnankutty] at MalayalaSangeetham.Info Database
* [https://m3db.com/chowalloor-krishnankutty Chowallur Krishnankutty] at [[:ml:മലയാളം മൂവി & മ്യൂസിക് ഡാറ്റാബേസ്|Malayalam Movie and Music Database]]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Krishnankutty, Chowallur}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male poets]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language lyricists]]
[[Category:Malayalam poets]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:Poets from Kerala]]
[[Category:People from Guruvayur]]
[[Category:Writers from Thrissur district]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian essayists]]

Chowallur Krishnankutty - Revision history

Shenna87P79423 at 02:06, 8 October 2025