Rajeev Alunkal

Rajeev Alunkal
Born (1973-08-17)August 17, 1973
Alappuzha, Kerala
Years active 2003 to Present

Rajeev Alunkal (Malayalam രാജീവ് ആലുങ്കൽ; 1973) is a poet and lyricist in Malayalam. He is best known for writing lyrics on romantic and philosophical themes. Rajeev Aunkal has received the Kalasree Award for 2012 from Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy for lifetime achievements as lyricist.[1]

He achieved this award at the age of 39 and nobody has received such an award so far in the history.[2]

Rajeev Alunkal has penned lyrics for songs in about 100 movies, of which a few are worth mention - Vettom, Mallu Singh, Kanaka Simhaasanam, Oru Marubhoomikkadha, Romans, Sound Thoma, Chattakkari, Angry babies, Aamayum Muyalum, Happy Wedding..

Rajeev Alunkal wrote a song for album "One Love" directed by music legends A. R. Rahman and one more song for Malayalam Film "Akasha Gopuram" directed by Titanic Fame John Altman. With these big opportunities, Rajeev Alunkal achieved International fame.

He has been actively participating in Malayalam associations related to Blood Donation and Eye Donation and encourages such social activities with greater importance. He also has been participating in various cultural and art meetings in India and abroad.

During the canonisation ceremony of Mother Theresa at the Vatican, Pope Francis released the poetry written by Rajeev Alunkal and the Indian Pop singer Usha Uthup rendered her voice for the same. This poem has also been translated in other languages including English, Bengali, Albanian, Latin and Tamil. This got a world wide attention too.[3]

In 2016, during the south asian poet's meet at Singapore, Rajeev Alunkal presented a good speech on the culture and importance of poems in the Malayalam literature.

He also studied Sanskrit for 10 years under the guidance of Guru Siromani Raghava Panicker at Vayalar. In addition to that, he has been doing research on songs and heritage arts of traditional Kerala.

Rajeev Alunkal has established a cherished position in the Malayali heart with his beautiful yet simple artistic renderings. He has won several awards as a lyricist. His charming and helpful attitude, readiness to help and ability to be one among the music lovers, have created a wonderful appeal. Considering Rajeev Alunkal's achievements as Lyricist for the last 20 years, he is most leading and incomparable among the lyricist of young generation.

Life and career

Rajeev Alunkal was born to Kandanatt S.Madhavan Nair and Karuvally R.Indira at Kadakkarappally Village in the Cherthala Taluk, Alappuzha District in 1973 August 17. His first poem was published in 1987 at the age of 14 on Nair Service Society (NSS)’s Service Weekly. That poem has won Mannam Trophy for best upcoming poet. He became a professional Lyricist in 1994 in Drama through Cherthala Shylaja Theatres. Rajeev Alunkal made his entry into Malayalam cinema as a lyricist for the hit song 'Thinkal Nilavil' in the film Hariharanpillai Happiyanu.[4] Since then he has written lyrics for 250 songs for more than 100 films.

He has also written more than 1000 songs for 200 professional dramas, 2000 songs for more than 200 audio albums and several title songs for TV serials.

Noted lines

Famous poems

As a Music Director, Rajeev Alunkal has composed music for a few albums namely Kanni Ayyappan, Sreedharma Shasthavu and the songs have been sung by P Jayachandran, Madhu Balakrishnan and Sujatha, "Kaazhcha"- a musical venture for eye donation, thrissur pooram theme song 2014, "Kunjava"- a 3D animation film for children etc. He also has penned lyrics and composed music for the title song of Asianet channel's mega serial "4 the people". His latest music direction was for the album named "Shakthi Ganapathy" and the songs have been sung by Vaikom Vijayalakshmi.

Rajeev Alunkal received the "Kavyasree Award" for the year 2016 from Indo-Malaysian Cultural Forum for his outstanding works for the poems "Verukalude Vedantham"[5]

Rajeev Alunkal has been given Sambashivan Memorial Award for his valuable 20 years of poetic contribution to the film, arts & cultural society.[6]

He is a notable Malayalam orator too.

He is married to Veena and they have a son, Akash Raj.

Published Books

Selected Filmography

Awards and Recognition

Year Awards Notes
2016 Kaumudi Teacher Award for his contribution to Arts and Cultural society [7]
2016 Kavyasree Award By Indo Malaysian Cultural Forum for "Verukalude Vedantham"
2015 Sambashivan Memorial Award For 20 years of poetic contribution to Film, Arts & Cultural society
2015 Thikkurissi Award For Best Lyricist Angry Babies in Love - mele chelode
2012 Kerala Film Critics Association Awards For Best Lyricist Oru Marubhoomikkadha - Chempaka vallikalil
2012 Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy - "Kalasree Puraskaram" Lifetime Achievement Award
2011 Asianet Mini-screen Award For Best Lyricist - Serial Harichamdanam
2010 Kaladarpanam Award From Art & Cultural movement of India
2009 Vayalar Ramavarma Film Awards For Best Lyricist - Film Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu, Song- 'Iniyum Kothiyode'
2006 Kerala Film Critics Association Awards For Best Lyricist Kanakasimhasanam - Priyathame Shakunthale
2004 Kerala State Awards(Drama) For Best Lyricist

References

  1. ↑ "Akademi awards announced". The Hindu. February 21, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Rajeev Alunkal about Lyrics". Manoramaonline. September 1, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Canonisation of Mother Theresa". Manoramaonline. August 22, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Short-lived happiness". The Hindu. November 27, 2003.
  5. ↑ "Kavyasree Award for Rajeev Alunkal". Manorama Online. March 18, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Sambashivan Award for Rajeev Alunkal". Manorama Online. October 12, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Kaumudi Teacher Award". Manoramaonline. June 18, 2016.
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