Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri

Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri
Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri
Background information
Origin	Kaithapram, Kannur, Kerala, India
Occupation(s)	Poet, lyricist, music director, classical vocalist, actor, playback singer, screenwriter, music therapist
Instruments	Music director (playback singing)
Years active	1985 – present
Website	kaithapram.com

Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri (Malayalam: കൈതപ്രം ദാമോദരന്‍ നമ്പൂതിരി) (born 1 January 1950), popularly known as Kaithapram, is a lyricist, music director, actor, singer, screenwriter, and performer of Carnatic music. He is the son of singer Keshavan Namboothiri (popularly known as Kannadi Bhagavathar, a disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar) and Aditi Antharjanam. He generally performs in the Malayalam language.

Career

Kaithapram made his entry into Malayalam cinema as a lyricist for the hit song "Devadundubhi Sandralayam" in the film Ennennum Kannettante directed by Fazil. Since then he has written lyrics for more than 330 films. He has also acted in many films, including Swathithirunal, Aaryan, His Highness Abdulla, and the film Theerthadanam, based on the story of famous Malayalam writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair. He has played the character of a classical or semi-classical singer in most of the films. The songs from Desadanam, his first film as a music composer, were a hit. The film Sopanam, directed by Shri Jayaraj, was based on a story and screenplay written by Kaithapram.

Kaithapram has established a cherished position in the Malayali heart with his beautiful yet simple artistic renderings. He has written both prose and poems and his books are also widely accepted. His appeal is closer to younger hearts and the success of 'Lajjavathiye…' has brought this aspect into fresh focus. His lyrics often express the deep love and regard that make the average Malayali home sick. He sings in public concerts and for various causes. 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 made him a legend in his own time.

Shri Kaithapram is also the Managing Trustee of Swathithirunal Kala Kendram (Music School) at Kozhikode, which caters to more than 400 music students. He has received numerous awards from various government and cultural organisations in Kerala. He has popularised and promoted the application of music for therapeutic purposes through the Music Therapy Foundation. Many have benefited from the systematic music therapy sessions conducted all over Kerala.

Personal life

Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri was born in the village of Kaithapram, near Payyanur in Kannur district of North Malabar region in India.^[1] He got his Veda education from his grandfather. Later on he continued his education under well-known gurus (teachers) including Parassi Thamburan and SVS Panicker. He pursued his studies in acting and music at Natyagruha. He is married to Devi Antharjanam who is the daughter of actor Unnikrishnan Namboothiri; they have two children, Deepankuran and Devadarshan. Deepankuran is a singer who has sung for various films including Desadanam, as well as Devotional Songs. Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri's youngest brother, Kaithapram Viswanathan Namboothiri, is a Malayalam cinema music director who runs the Sruthilaya Music School at Payyanur.

Awards

Kerala State Film Award

• 1993 – Kerala State Film Award for the best Lyricist
• 1996 – Kerala State Film Award for the best Lyricist
• 1997 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director

Filmfare Awards South

• 1996 - Best Music Director : Deshadanam

Asianet Film Awards

• 2005 – Best Lyricist Award –

Filmography

As lyricist

Selected film albums for which Kaithapram wrote lyrics include:

2016 – Hello Namaste 2015 – Vellivelichathil 2012 – Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar 2012 – Ekk Deewana Tha (Song: Aaromale) 2011 – Venicile Vyapari 2011 – Urumi 2010 – Pokkiri Raja 2010 – Aagathan 2010 – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (Song: Aaromale) 2009 – Robinhood 2009 – Moss & Cat 2009 – Yugapurushan 2009 – Pulliman 2009 – Karshakasree 2009 – Bodyguard 2009 – Puthiya Mukham 2009 – Madhya Venal 2008 – Jubilee 2008 – Magic Lamp 2008 – Parthan Kanda Paralokam 2007 – Ravanan 2007 – Mauryan 2007 – Nivedhyam 2006 – Balram Vs Tara Das 2006 – Ennittum 2006 – Mahasamudram 2006 – Palunku 2006 – Rashtram 2006 – Lion 2006 – Aanachandam 2006 – Photographer 2006 – Thuruppugulan 2005 – Rappakal 2005 – Makalkku 2005 – Lokanathan IAS 2005 – Naran 2005 – Annorikal 2005 – Ullam 2005 – December 2005 – Thanmatra 2005 – Soumyam 2005 – Thommanum Makkalum 2005 – Nottam 2005 – Junior Senior 2005 – Boy Friend 2005 – By The People 2005 – Ben Johnson 2005 – Udayananu Tharam 2004 – Kaazhcha 2004 – Youth Festival 2004 – Amrutham 2004 – Parayam 2004 – Vismayathumbathu 2004 – Vellinakshatram 2004 – Symphony 2004 – Sathyam 2004 – Black 2004 – Udayam 2004 – Manjupoloru Penkutty 2004 – Perumazhakkalam 2004 – Vajram 2004 – Rain Rain Come Again 2004 – Thudakkam 2004 – 4 The People 2003 – Chronic Bachelor 2003 – Ammakilikkoodu 2003 – Sinkari Bolona 2003 – Pattanathil Sundaran 2003 – Vellithira 2003 – Thilakkam 2003 – Kasthuriman 2003 – Swantham Malavika 2003 – Mayamohithachandran 2003 – Pulival Kalyanam 2003 – Swapnakoodu

2002 – Pranayamanithooval 2002 – Kannaki 2002 – Kalyanaraman 2002 – Nammal 2002 – Kaalachakram 2002 – Thandavam 2002 – Yathrakarude Sradhakku 2001 – Uthaman 2001 – Onemanshow 2001 – Ishtam 2001 – Sundarapurushan 2000 – Vinayapoorvam Vidyadharan 2000 – Devadoothan 2000 – Satyam Shivam Sundaram 2000 – Mazhanool Kanavu 2000 – Aanamuttathe Angalamar 2000 – Santham 2000 – Life Is Beautiful 2000 – Thenkasipattanam 2000 – Nakshathragal Parayathirunnathu 2000 – Kannady Kadavathu 2000 – Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal 1999 – Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal 1999 – Mazhavillu 1999 – Friends 1999 – Chandamama 1999 – Agnisakshi 1999 – Udayapuram Sulthan 1998 – Sidhartha 1998 – Harikrishnans 1998 – Ayushman Bhava 1998 – Kattathoru Penpoovu 1998 – Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu 1997 – Irattakuttikalude Achan 1996 – Azhakiya Ravanan 1995 – Mazhayethum Munpe 1993 – Sopanam 1993 – Vatsalyam 1992 – Aayushkalam 1992 – Kauravar 1992 – Sooryamanasam 1992 – Kamaladalam 1991 – Advaitham 1991 – Ente Sooryaputhrikku 1991 – Sandesham 1991 – Bharatham 1991 – Vishnulokam 1991 – Amaram 1991 – Ulladakkam 1991 – Abhimanyu 1991 – Njan Gandharvan 1990 – Kalikkalam 1990 – His Highness Abdullah 1990 – Thalayanamanthram 1990 – Paavam Paavam Rajakumaran 1990 – Kuttettan 1990 – Thoovalsparsam 1990 – Thazhvaram 1989 – Varavelppu 1989 – Ardham 1989 – Mazhavil Kavadi 1989 – Innale 1989 – Kireedam 1988 – Aryan 1988 – Vellanakalude Nadu

As composer

The major film song albums composed by Kaithapram:^[2]

• Rama Ravanan (2010)
• Neelakasam Niraye (2002)
• Theerthadanam (2001)
• Udayapuram Sulthan (1999)
• Agni Sakshi (1999)
• Ennu Swantham Janakikutty (1998)
• Kattathoru Penpoovu (1998)
• Thattakam (1998)
• Kaikudunna Nilavu (1998)
• Thalolam (1998)
• Desadanam (1997)
• Karunyam (1997)
• Kottapurathe Koottukudumbam (1997)
• Kaliyattam (1997)

As director

• Mazhavillinattam Vare

As actor

He has played the character of a classical or semi-classical singer/lyricsist in most of these films. Some of his well-known films include:

• Ammayana Sathyam
• Savidham
• Sopanam
• His Highness Abdullah
• Jagratha
• Vaishali
• Swathi Thirunal
• Theerthadanam
• Deshadanam
• Sammanam
• Nivedhyam

As script writer

• Sopanam (1993)

References

• Ear to a cure
• The website of Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri
• The healing touch of music(The Hindu)
• The Hindu Friday, Aug 12, 2005
• Kaithapram
• Hits of Kaithapram
• Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri

1. http://www.mangalam.com/life-style/success/102664
2. "Kaithapram". Malayalam Movies.

External links

• Kaithapram D. Nampoothiri at the Internet Movie Database