Malayalam lyricist Bichu Thirumala passes away at 79

In an unfortunate turn of events, Bichu Thirumala, a noted Indian lyricist and poet from Kerala, who worked predominantly in the Malayalam film industry has passed away at the age of 70 on Friday at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after suffering from a heart attack.

According to a report by Mathrubhumi, Bichu Thirumala had been hospitalized following breathing trouble. Later, he was later put on ventilator support as his condition deteriorated. He breathed his last at 3.15 am on Friday.

Many celebrities from the film industry and even members of the political fraternity poured in heartfelt condolences to the veteran lyricist.

Bichu started his lyricist career in the 1972 Malayalam film ‘Bhaja Govindam’. Later, he went on to become one of the most successful Malayalam lyricists. His first song ‘Brahma Muhoorthathil’ from the movie ‘Bhaja Govindam’ became a huge success. The film was not released but the song gained immense popularity after it was aired on Radio Ceylon at that time in the early-1970s.

His prolific Malayalam film repertoire includes work with eminent composers like G. Devarajan, V. Dakshinamurthy, M.S. Baburaj, K. Raghavan, M.S. Viswanathan, A.T. Ummer, Shyam, K.J. Joy, Shankar–Ganesh, Jaya Vijaya, Raveendran, Jerry Amaldev, Johnson, Ouseppachan, Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman and others.

He has reportedly penned over 3,000 songs, including many for superstar Mohanlal. Thirumala’s famous repertoire includes numerous hit songs such as ‘Paavada Venam’, ‘Melada Venam’, ‘Neelajalashayathil’, ‘Ragendu Kiranangal’, ‘Sundari Sundari’, ‘Ezhuswarangalum’ and ‘Mainakam’.

Bichu was also known for penning beautiful words for ready-made tunes. Bichu was given a state award for Best Lyricist in 1981 and 1991 and the Vamadevan Award for his first collection of poems, ‘Anusaranayillatha Manasu’.

He is survived by his wife Prasanna  (Retd. Finance Officer, Kerala Water Authority) and son Suman Bichu (Music Director).

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