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{{short description|Music composer}}
{{for|the actor|Baburaj (actor)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = M. S. Baburaj
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name = Mohammad Sabir Baburaj
| alias = Baburaj, Babukka
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1929|03|03}}
| birth_place = [[Kozhikode|Calicut]], [[Malabar District]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br>(present day [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]], India)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|1978|10|07|1929|03|09}}
| genre = [[Film score]], [[Mappila songs]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Composer|Singer|Instrumentalist}}
| instrument = Harmonium [[pump organ]]
| years_active = 1957–1978
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website =
}}

'''Mohammad Sabir Baburaj''' (3 March 1929 – 7 October 1978) was an Indian music composer. He is often credited for the renaissance of [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film music]].<ref>{{cite news
|title = The Magic of Baburaj
|url = http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/04/30/stories/2005043002330300.htm
|date = 30 April 2005
|access-date = 23 July 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111010161158/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/04/30/stories/2005043002330300.htm
|archive-date = 10 October 2011
|work = [[The Hindu]]
|url-status = dead
}}</ref> Baburaj has rendered music to many evergreen Malayalam film songs.<ref name="hindu27oct2008">{{cite news
|title = 'Pattupetti' tunes in to Baburaj
|url = http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/27/stories/2008102751120200.htm
|date = 27 October 2008
|access-date = 23 July 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202070718/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/27/stories/2008102751120200.htm
|archive-date = 2 December 2008
|work = [[The Hindu]]
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>

==Early years==
Baburaj was born on 3rd March 1929<ref>[[File:BABURAJ PASSPORT.jpg|thumb|Baburaj's Original Passport cites his birthday on 3 March 1929]]
</ref> in [[Kozhikode]], then known as Calicut. His early childhood was spent in destitution and poverty. His father, Jan Muhammed Khan, who was a [[Hindustani music|Hindustani]] musician from [[Bengal]] who frequently held concerts in [[Kerala]], deserted his [[Malayali]] mother when he was very young, and returned to his native [[Kolkata]]. Baburaj thus became fatherless, often singing songs in trains to make a living. But as luck would have it, a policeman, Kunjumuhammed (he was called Kunjumuhammed ika), an enthusiast of music from his native town of [[Kozhikode]], noticing the boy's vocal talents, decided to virtually adopt him.<ref>{{Citation|last=asianetnews|title=Interview : VT Muralai (In memory of the late music director M.S. Baburaj)|date=6 October 2012|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdzSpJ6f07A|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011123319/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdzSpJ6f07A|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Ibrahim Haroon|title=M.S. Baburaj, The Mind and the Mith – part 1|date=8 May 2010|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBrlBU6XOwU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/bBrlBU6XOwU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Music career==
One of his greatest achievements was the introduction of Hindustani strains into Malayalam popular music. He successfully composed melodies based on Hindustani [[Raga]]s and blended Malayalam lyrics into them. Most of the lyrics were written by eminent Malayalam poets like [[P. Bhaskaran]] and [[Vayalar Ramavarma|Vayalar]].<ref>{{cite news
|work=The New Indian Express
|title=Baburaj Mehfil to enthral music buffs
|url=http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Baburaj+Mehfil+to+enthral+music+buffs&artid=iiaBO9BOwIU=&SectionID=9R67TMeNb/w=&MainSectionID=9R67TMeNb/w=&SEO=Baburaj,+Firoz+Babu,+Prathibha&SectionName=gUhH3Holuas=
|date=22 May 2009
|access-date=23 July 2009
}}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Baburaj learned basic lessons of [[Hindustani classical music|Hindustani]] music from his father from a very young age, but he could not learn it for long due to his father's demise.{{ clarify | date = January 2016 | reason = Did his father die? In the previous section, it just says that he abandoned the family.}} In search of pure music, young Baburaj visited West [[Bengal]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. He learned to play the [[Pump organ|Harmonium]] during this period.

He came back to Kerala to a precarious existence. He sang on the streets of [[Kozhikode]] to earn his livelihood. Police constable Kunju Muhammed,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/baburaj-through-his-wifes-eyes/article8578151.ece|title=Baburaj, through his wife's eyes|last=Kumar|first=P. K. Ajith|date=10 May 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=20 December 2018|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510010007/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/baburaj-through-his-wifes-eyes/article8578151.ece|archive-date=10 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> who was a fan of Baburaj's father, adopted him{{ clarify | date = January 2016 | reason = Above it says he "virtually" adopted him. Did he adopt him outright?}} and brought him up.

Later he started composing music for the Malayalam dramas in the Malabar region and thus slowly entered the field of music direction. In 1957, he composed music for the Malayalam film ''Minnaminungu'', by Ramu Kariat, thus entering the Malayalam film industry. Then he worked with director [[P. Venu]] and composed classic songs like "Anuragaganam Pole", "Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha", and "Kalichirimaaratha Penne" for the film ''[[Udhyogastha]]'' (1967).

Baburaj was also an accomplished singer and harmonium player.

Baburaj died an early death, on 7 October 1978 at the age of 49. His death occurred in a general hospital in [[Madras]], after suffering from a massive [[hemorrhagic stroke]]. He was survived by his wife and children.

==Legacy==

The Baburaj – [[P. Bhaskaran]] – [[Yesudas]] combination produced many of the most memorable Malayalam tunes of the 1960s and 1970s. Most of his classic duets were sung by [[P. Leela|P Leela]], [[K. J. Yesudas]] and [[S. Janaki]], each recording solo Baburaj compositions as well.
Many of Baburaj's songs remain very popular in Kerala, with songs like "Oru Pushpam Maatram" frequently rendered on stage at various events.<ref>{{Citation|last=abdul khaise|title=MS Baburaj Original Voice.flv|date=16 March 2011|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T4AG2f0BwE|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123011542/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T4AG2f0BwE|archive-date=23 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Mathrubhumi Kappa TV|title=Oru Pushpam – Akshaynath & Rishikesh – Moodtapes – Kappa TV|date=23 February 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rez4z1D80Wo|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011123336/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rez4z1D80Wo|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=nithyajith|title=Idea Star Singer Season 4 Danny Oru pushpam mathram|date=29 June 2009|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9i-mY-FwqQ|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011123337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9i-mY-FwqQ|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''[[Malayala Manorama|Manorama Music]]'' company chanced upon an old audio cassette of Baburaj rendering some of his own compositions in a platform of friends' circle. The cassette named 'Baburaj Padunnu' was re-mixed and became an instant hit.<ref>{{Citation|title=Baburaj Paadunnu|date=1 January 2005|url=http://us.napster.com/artist/msbaburaj/album/baburaj-paadunnu-manorama-music|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005713/http://us.napster.com/artist/msbaburaj/album/baburaj-paadunnu-manorama-music|archive-date=28 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tracks gave Kerala a rejuvenated taste of Baburaj's music with his unique style of soulful singing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/890155/how-kerala-came-to-embrace-the-alien-form-of-ghazals|title=How Kerala came to embrace the unfamiliar musical genre of ghazals|last=Nair|first=Malini|website=Scroll.in|date=28 August 2018 |access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230743/https://scroll.in/magazine/890155/how-kerala-came-to-embrace-the-alien-form-of-ghazals|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Though a successful composer, Baburaj was never a careerist, but kept his focus on his art. Today, various clubs and musical organisations conduct stage programs in honour of Baburaj ('Babukka' to his friends and acquaintances<ref>{{cite news|title = A journey in search of M.S. Baburaj|url = http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082201490200.htm|date = 22 August 2006|access-date = 23 July 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081024050517/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082201490200.htm|archive-date = 24 October 2008|work = [[The Hindu]]|url-status = dead}}</ref>), and give the proceeds to his family. During his time, money was not easy to come by for artists,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Yesudas-offers-help-to-composer-Baburajs-widow/articleshow/15688704.cms|title=Yesudas offers help to composer Baburaj's widow|website=The Times of India|date=11 July 2002 |access-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303123437/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Yesudas-offers-help-to-composer-Baburajs-widow/articleshow/15688704.cms|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and Baburaj never managed to earn much, dying in poverty. "Thrikkakkare theerthakkare" sung by [[P. Susheela]] in the 1978 film ''Yagaswam'', directed by [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]], was his last recorded song.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/baburaj-through-his-wifes-eyes/article8578151.ece |title=Baburaj, through his wife's eyes - the Hindu |website=[[The Hindu]] |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=20 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510010007/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/baburaj-through-his-wifes-eyes/article8578151.ece |archive-date=10 May 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Kumar |first1=P. k Ajith }}</ref>

In 1983, Baburaj posthumously received the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] in Light Music category.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/light-music/467 |title=Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Light Music |publisher=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala|access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref>

==Notable songs==
* ''Thamasamenthe Varuvan Pranasakhi''
* ''Anuraga Ganam Pole''
* ''Oru Pushpam Mathramen Hridayathil Sookshikkam''
* ''Vaasantha Panjami Naalil''
* ''Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha''
* ''Kanneerum Swapnangalum Vilkkuvanaayi Vannavan Njan''
* ''Eeranuduthumkondambaram Chuttunna''
* ''Aadiyil Vachanamundaayi''
* ''Kalichirimaaratha Penne''
* ''Vichana Theerame''
* ''Innale Mayangumbol''
* ''Thankam Vegam''
* ''Chandramimbam Nenjilettum''
* ''Pavada prayathil''
* ''Annu ninte Nunakkuzhi''
* ''Vellichilankayaninjum''
* ''Kadali Vazha Kayyilirunnu''
* ''Surumayezhuthiya Mizhikale''
* ''Pathiravayilla Pournamikanyakku Pathinezhoe Pathinettoe Prayam''
* ''Pottatha Ponnin Kinavu Kondoru Pattunoolonjala Ketti Njan''
* ''Panja Varna Thatha Pole Konji Vanna Penne''
* ''Pranasakhee Njan Verumoru''
* ''Thaliritta Kinakkal Than Thamara Maala vangan''
* ''Thaane Thirinjum Marinjum''
* ''Sooryakanthee... Sooryakanthee...''
* ''Oru Kochu Swapnathin Chirakumayi''
* ''Kadale Neela Kadale''
* ''Akale Akale Neelakasam''
* ''Ikkarayanente Thamasam''
* ''Pottithakarnna kinavinte''
* ''Anjana Kannezhuthi''
* ''Arabi Kadaloru Manavalan''
* ''Kanmani Neeyen''
* ''Kanmaniye Karayathurangu''
* ''Adyathe Kanmani''
* ''Innente Karalile''
* ''Oru Kotta Ponnundallo''
* ''Nadikalil Sundari Yamuna''
* ''Thamarakumbilallo Mama Hrudayam''
* ''Maamalakalkkappurathu''
* ''Thedunnathaare shoonyathayil''
* ''Anuraaga Nadakathin''
* ''Aadanumariyaam''
* ''Jeevitheswarikkekuvaanoru''
* ''Kottum njan keettilla''
* ''Kaanan pattatha kanakathin manimuthe''

==Filmography==
=== The list of Malayalam films for which songs were composed by Baburaj ===
* [[Minnaminugu]] (1957)
* [[Umma (1960 film)|Umma]] (1960)
* [[Kandam Becha Kottu]] (1961)
* [[Mudiyanaya Puthran]] (1961)
* [[Laila Majnu (1962 film)|Laila Majnu]] (1962)
* [[Palattu Koman|Palattu Koman (Konkiyamma)]] (1962)
* [[Bhagyajathakam]] (1962)
* [[Ninamaninja Kalpadukal]] (1963)
* [[Moodupadam]] (1963)
* Thacholi Othenan (1964)
* [[Kuttikkuppayam]] (1964)
* [[Karutha Kai]] (1964)
* [[Bhargavi Nilayam]] (1964)
* [[Bharthavu]] (1964)
* [[Subaidha ]](1965)
* [[Kadathukaran]] (1965)
* [[Porter Kunjali]] (1965)
* [[Ammu (1965 film)|Ammu]] (1965)
* [[Kuppivala]] (1965)
* [[Thankakudam|Thankakkudam]] (1965)
* [[Kattuthulasi]] (1965)
* [[Mayavi (1965 film)|Mayavi]] (1965)
* [[Chettathi]] (1965)
* [[Thommante Makkal]] (1965)
* [[Sarppakkaadu]] (1965)
* [[Maanikyakottaram]] (1966)
* Penmakkal (1966)
* [[Koottukar (1966 film)|Koottukar]] (1966)
* [[Kaattumallika]] (1966)
* [[Anarkali (1966 film)|Anarkali]] (1966)
* [[Tharavattamma]] (1966)
* [[Poochakkanni]] (1966)
* [[Kanakachilanga (1966 film)|Kanakachilanga]] (1966)
* [[Iruttinte Athmavu]] (1967)
* [[Agniputhri]] (1967)
* [[Balyakalasakhi (1967 film)|Balyakalasakhi]] (1967)
* [[Udhyogastha]] (1967)
* [[Karutha Rathrikal]] (1967)
* [[Khadeeja]] (1967)
* [[Anweshichu Kandethiyilla]] (1967)
* [[Collector Malathy]] (1967)
* [[Pareeksha (1967 film)|Pareeksha]] (1967)
* [[Manaswini]] (1968)
* [[Inspector (1968 film)|Inspector]] (1968)
* [[Kaarthika]] (1968)
* [[Lakshaprabhu]] (1968)
* Love in Kerala (1968)
* [[Midumidukki]] (1968)
* [[Anchu Sundarikal]] (1968)
* [[Sandhya (film)|Sandhya]] (1969)
* [[Velliyazhcha]] (1969)
* [[Virunnukari]] (1969)
* [[Saraswathi (film)|Saraswathi]] (1970)
* [[Anadha]] (1970)
* [[Olavum Theeravum]] (1970)
* [[Bheekara Nimishangal]] (1970)
* [[Vivaham Swargathil]] (1970)
* [[Ambalapravu]] (1970)
* [[Priya (1970 film)|Priya]] (1970)
* [[Cross Belt (film)|Cross Belt]] (1970)
* [[Kuttyedathi]] (1971)
* [[Manpeda]] (1971)
* [[Lora Neeyevide]] (1971)
* [[Rathrivandi]] (1971)
* [[Puthenveedu]] (1971)
* [[Ernakulam Junction (film)|Ernakulam Junction]] (1971)
* [[Panimudakku]] (1972)
* [[Pulliman (1972 film)|Pulliman]] (1972)
* [[Sambhavami Yuge Yuge]] (1972)
* [[Azhimukham]] (1972)
* [[Mappusakshi]] (1972)
* [[Bhadradeepam]] (1973)
* [[Aaradhika]] (1973)
* [[Ladies Hostel]] (1973)
* [[Soundaryapooja]] (1973)
* [[Manassu]] (1973)
* [[Chuzhi]] (1973)
* [[Kaamini]] (1974)
* [[Nathoon]] (1974)
* [[Swarnna Malsyam]] (1975)
* [[Bhaaryaye Aavashyamundu]] (Samarppanam) (1975)
* [[Criminals (film)|Criminals]] (Kayangal) (1975)
* [[Njaan Ninne Premikkunnu]] (1975)
* Sthreedhanam (1975)
* [[Appooppan]] (Charithram Aavarthikkunnilla) (1976)
* [[Srishti (film)|Srishti]] (1976)
* [[Pushpasharam]] (1976)
* [[Allahu Akbar (film)|Allahu Akbar]] (1977)
* [[Dweepu]] (1977)
* [[Yatheem]] (1977)
* [[Gaandharvam]] (Kanakam) (1978)
* [[Bhrashtu]] (1978)
* [[Yagaswam]] (1978)
* College Beauty (1979)
* Krishnatulasi (1979)

==See also==
* [[List of Indian composers]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
[https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/music/mohammad-sabir-baburaj-ms-baburaj-babooka-remembering-baburaj-malayalam-music--1.2292890 ബാബുരാജ് കരഞ്ഞു; വേദനയില്‍ അവസാനത്തെ ഈണം പിറന്നു...]
[https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/baburaj-through-his-wifes-eyes/article8578151.ece Baburaj, through his wife’s eyes]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20190221165635/http://vw.justbooksclc.com/titles/305453-baburaj-chudukanneeralen-jeevithakatha baburaj chudukanneeralen jeevithakatha : Editor:Mustafa Desamangalam : 9788187474753 : Read @ JustBooksclc.]
[https://keralabookstore.com/book/chudukanneeralen-jeevithakatha/770/ ചുടുകണ്ണീരാലെന്‍ ജീവിതകഥ]

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180117181325/http://babukka.in/ babukka.in]
*{{IMDb name|0045101|name=M.S. Baburaj}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081209021410/http://www.mysticswara.com/baburaj.aspx M. S. Baburaj the genius]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081014094626/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/10/stories/2008101050180300.htm Unforgettable Baburaj – The Hindu]
*{{YouTube|UbzIqA-Dago|Baburaj singing ''Thane thirinjum marinjum''...}}
* MS Baburaj at [https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/listsongs.php?md=43 Malayalachalachithram.com]
*MS Baburaj at [https://malayalasangeetham.info/ Malayalasangeetham.info ]
*

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baburaj, M.S}}
[[Category:Indian male composers]]
[[Category:Malayalam film score composers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Kozhikode]]
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]
[[Category:Harmonium players]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:Film musicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century organists]]
[[Category:Male film score composers]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]]

M. S. Baburaj - Revision history

WikiDwarfBOT at 05:37, 22 July 2023