BABURAJ

BABURAJ – Lyricist/Music Director

Mohammad Sabir Baburaj (also known as M. S. Baburaj) was born on 9 March 1921 in Kozhikode, then known as Calicut. His early childhood was spent in destitution and poverty. His father, Jan Muhammed Khan, who was a 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. 

In search of pure music, young Baburaj visited West Bengal, Mumbai and Sri Lanka . He learned Harmonium in these period. He came back to Kerala to a miserable life. He sang on the streets of Kozhikode to earn his livelihood.

But as luck would have it, a policeman, Kunjahammed (he was called Kunjahammed ka), an enthusiast of music, from his native town of Kozhikode, noticing the boy's vocal talents, decided to virtually adopt him.

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 entered the Malayalam film industry. Then he worked with director P. Venu and composed evergreen songs like Anuragaganam Pole, Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha, Kalichirimaaratha Penne for the film Udhyogastha (1967).

The Baburaj-P. Bhaskaran-Yesudas combination produced many of the most memorable tunes of the 60's and 70's. Most of his classic duets were sung by K. J. Yesudas & S. Janaki, each recording solo Baburaj compositions as well. The Baburaj – S. Janaki partnership is sometimes compared to that of Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar combination of Hindi Music.

One of his greatest achievements was the introduction of Hindustani strains into Malayalam popular music. He successfully composed melodies based on Hindustani Ragas and blended Malayalam lyrics into them. Most of the lyrics were written by eminent Malayalam poets like P. Bhaskaran and Vayalar.

Baburaj was also an accomplished singer and harmonium player.

Baburaj died an early death, on 7 October 1978 at the age of 57. He was survived by his wife and children.

The Manorama Music company, chanced upon an old audio cassette of Baburaj rendering some of his own compositions. It was recorded during one of those heady musical evenings that Baburaj and his friends occasionally indulged in, towards the end 1960s, when most his greatest hits were composed. The cassette was re-mixed and became an instant hit. The tracks gave Kerala a rejuvenated taste of Baburaj's music.

Though a successful composer, Baburaj was never a careerist. Today, various clubs and musical organisations conduct stage programs in honour of Baburaj (Babukka as known to his friends and acquaintances), and hand over the proceeds to his family.As with the case with many erstwhile musical geniuses, Baburaj concentrated solely on his music. During his time, money was not easy to come for artists, and Baburaj was never managed to earn much, dying a poor man's death. 'Thrikkakkare theerthakkare' in the 1978 film 'Yagaswam' directed by Hariharan (director) was his last recorded song.

Notable songs

• Thamsamenthe Varuvan Pranasakhi
• Oru Pushpam Mathramen Hridayathil Sookshikkam
• Vaasantha Panjami Naalil
• Kaneerum Swapnangalum Vilkkuvanaayi Vannavan Njan
• Eeranuduthumkondambalam Chuttunna
• Aadiyil Vachanamundaayi
• Vichana Theerame
• Innale Mayangumbol
• 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
• Anuraga Ganam Pole
• Kadale Neela Kadale
• Akale Akale Neelakasam
• Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha
• Ikkarayanente Thamasam
• Pottithakarnna kinavinte
• Anjana Kannezhuthi
• Arabi Kadaloru Manavalan
• Kanmani Neeyen
• Kanmaniye Karayathurangu
• Kalichirimaaratha Penne
• Adyathe Kanmani
• Innente Karalile
• Oru Kotta Ponnundallo
• Thankam Vegam
• Nadikalil Sundari Yamuna
• Thamarakumbilallo Mama Hrudayam
• Maamalakalkkappurathu
• Thedunnathaare shoonyathayil
• Anuraaga Nadakathin
• Aadanumariyaam
• Jeevitheswarikkekuvaanoru
• Kottum njan keettilla

Partial filmography

The following is an incomplete list of movies that Baburaj had composed songs for. All the films are in Malayalam.

• Aaraadhika 1973
• Adyathe Kanmani 1962
• Udhyogastha 1967
• Virunnukari 1969
• Agniputhri 1967
• Allahu Akbar 1977
• Ambalapraavu 1970
• Ammu 1965
• Anaadha 1970
• Anaarkali 1966
• Anchusundarikal 1968
• Anweshichu Kandethiyilla 1967
• Appooppan (Charithram Aavarthikkunnilla) 1976
• Azhimukham 1972
• Baalyakaalasakhi 1967
• Bhaagyajaathakam 1962
• Bhaaryaye Aavashyamundu (Samarppanam) 1975
• Bhadradeepam 1973
• Bhargaveenilayam 1964
• Bharthaavu 1964
• Bheekara Nimishangal 1970
• Bhrashtu 1978
• Chettathi 1965
• Chuzhi 1973
• Collector Malathi 1967
• College Beauty 1979
• Criminals (Kayangal) 1975
• Cross Belt 1970
• Dweepu 1977
• Eranakulam Junction 1971
• Gaandharvam (Kanakam) 1978
• Inspector 1968
• Iruttinte Aathmaavu 1967
• Kaamini 1974
• Kaarthika 1968
• Kaattumallika 1966
• Kaattuthulasi 1965
• Kadathukaaran 1965
• Kanakachilanka 1966
• Kandambecha Kottu 1961
• Karutha Kai 1964
• Karutha Raathrikal 1967
• Khadeeja 1967
• Koottukaar 1966
• Krishna Thulasi 1979
• Kuppivala 1965
• Kuttikkuppaayam 1964
• Kuttyedathi 1971
• Ladies Hostel 1973
• Laila Majnu 1962
• Lakshaprabhu 1968
• Lora Nee Evide 1971
• Love in Kerala 1968
• Maanikyakottaram 1966
• Maappusaakshi 1972
• Maayaavi 1965
• Manassu 1973
• Manaswini 1968
• Manpeda 1971
• Midumidukki 1968
• Minnaminungu 1957
• Moodupadam 1963
• Mudiyanaaya Puthran 1961
• Nathoon 1974
• Ninamaninja Kaalppaadukal 1963
• Njaan Ninne Premikkunnu 1975
• Olavum Theeravum 1970
• Paalaattu Koman (Konkiyamma) 1962
• Panimudakku 1972
• Pareeksha 1967
• Penmakkal 1966
• Poochakkanni 1966
• Porter Kunjaali 1965
• Priya 1970
• Pullimaan 1972
• Pushpasharam 1976
• Puthanveedu 1971
• Raathrivandi 1971
• Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge 1972
• Sandhya 1969
• Saraswathi 1970
• Sarppakkaadu 1965
• Soundarya Pooja 1973
• Srishti 1976
• Sthreedhanam 1975
• Subaida 1965
• Swarnna Malsyam 1975
• Thacholi Othenan 1964
• Thankakkudam 1965
• Tharavaattamma 1966
• Thommante Makkal 1965
• Udyogastha 1967
• Umma 1960
• Velliyaazhcha 1969
• Virunnukari 1969
• Vivaaham Swargathil 1970
• Yaagaaswam 1978
• Yatheem 1977