https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Alleppey_RanganathAlleppey Ranganath - Revision history2026-10-28T15:17:24ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alleppey_Ranganath&diff=485658&oldid=prevCaseyBroderick: Creating New Data...2025-11-08T22:22:46Z<p>Creating New Data...</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian composer (1949–2022)}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Alleppey Ranganath<br />
| image = Alleppey ranganath DSC 0671.JPG<br />
| imagesize = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_name = Ranganath<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1949|03|09|df=y}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Alappuzha]], [[Travancore]], [[Dominion of India|Union of India]]<br />
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|01|16|1949|03|09|df=y}}<br />
| death_place = [[Kottayam]], [[Kerala]], India<br />
| occupation = Composer, lyricist, music director, film director<br />
| parents = <br />
| children = 3<br />
| spouse = B. Rajasri<br />
| years_active = 1968-2021<br />
| awards = [[Harivarasanam Award]]<br />
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes<br />
| background = composer<br />
| genre = {{flat list|<br />
* [[Indian classical music]]<br />
* [[Devotional song]]<br />
* [[Filmi]]<br />
}}<br />
| label = [[Tharangini Records|Tharangini]]<br />
}}<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Alleppey Ranganath''' (9 March 1949 – 16 January 2022) was an Indian composer, lyricist, film director and screenwriter.<br />
<br />
==Early life==<br />
Ranganath was born on 9 March 1949 in [[Alappuzha]] as the eldest son of Vezhapra Kunjukunju Bhagavathar and ''Gana Bhushanam'' M. G. Devammal, both musicians. He wrote and composed music for a play by the Kanjirapally People's Arts Club at the age of 19. Ranganath learned his first lessons in music from his father. As his father believed that an artist must master all forms, Ranganath learned classical music and Bharatanatyam as well.<ref name="mm1">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-16 |title=Music director Alleppey Ranganath no more |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/content/mm/en/kerala/top-news/2022/01/16/music-director-alleppey-ranganath-dies.html |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=[[Malayala Manorama|OnManorama]]}}</ref><ref name='tnm'>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-07 |title=Veteran Malayalam music composer Alleppey Ranganath passes away at 73 |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/veteran-malayalam-music-composer-alleppey-ranganath-passes-away-73-159945 |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> Till the age of 14 he lived at [[Vellakkinar]] near Alappuzha (then Alleppey). He attached the place name to his name thus became Alleppey Ranganath.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-16 |title=Alleppy Ranganath : സംഗീതജ്ഞനും ഗാനരചയിതാവുമായ ആലപ്പി രംഗനാഥ് അന്തരിച്ചു |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/kerala-news/music-director-alleppey-ranganath-passed-away-r5tca6 |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=[[Asianet News]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Career==<br />
In 1968, Ranganath moved to his uncle's house at [[Ponkunnam]] to learn for the ''Malayalam Vidwan'' title. It was there he first introduced to [[Stage (theatre)|dramas]]. His two songs in the play ''Kanaljaalam'' for People's Arts Club, [[Kanjirappally]], were well received. When Alappuzha Redstar Theatres was launched under the stewardship of Vayalar Vinayachandran at the behest of [[Communist Party of India|CPI]], Ranganath became a proper drama artist. He wrote songs and the script, composed music and even directed the play ''Darshanam'' that got him noticed. After [[Kottayam]] National Theatres reproduced the play two years later, it became a super hit and Ranganath's career was launched. He wrote 42 plays for various troupes notably ''Sahadarmini'', ''Kudumbakshethram'', ''Amrithasaagaram'', ''Ponnushasinte Varavum Kathu'' and ''Ayalathe Amma''. Later he developed an interest in background score and shifted to [[Chennai]], where he was introduced to films.<ref name='mm1' /><br />
<br />
He entered the film industry by playing orchestra for the popular Malayalam film song ''Naalikerathinte'' from the movie [[Thurakkatha Vathil]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/latest-news/2022/01/16/music-director-alleppey-ranganath-passed-away.html|title=Music director Alleppey Ranganath passed away|publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=16 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/features/2022/01/13/musical-journey-of-alleppey-ranganath-special-story.html|title=Musical journey of Alleppey Ranganath special story|publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=13 January 2022}}</ref> His first film composition was the song ''Oshana Oshana'' for the movie [[Jesus (1973 film)|Jesus]] in 1973. It was [[P. Jayachandran]] who suggested [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]] to record Ranganath's first stage song. Jayachandran himself sang those songs. So as a gratitude Ranganath called Jayachandran to sing for his first film song.<ref name='mm3'>{{Cite web |last=Sivashankar |first=Rajeev |date=2022-01-18 |title=A music wizard who never got his due in cinema: Remembering Alleppey Ranganath |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2022/01/18/music-wizard-alleppey-ranganath.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=[[Malayala Manorama|OnManorama]]}}</ref><br />
When Ranganath didn't get other opportunities after his first film, he left Chennai, leaving his film dreams behind, and shifted to Kerala and theatre. During this tenure, he got close to [[K. J. Yesudas]] and joined his [[Tharangini]] studio as staff music director and [[Lyrics|script]] [[wikt:scrutinise|scrutinising]] officer in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pradeep |first=K. |date=2014-09-04 |title=Rewind to a versatile music maker |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/rewind-to-a-versatile-music-maker/article6379956.ece |access-date=2020-06-14 |website=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614121802/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/rewind-to-a-versatile-music-maker/article6379956.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> It was his Tharangini songs that resulted in the musician composing the background score for [[Priyadarshan]]'s [[Poochakkoru Mookkuthi]]. He also composed music for [[Pappan Priyapetta Pappan]]. It was after listening to Tharangini's ''Children's Songs Vol. 1'', [[Balachandra Menon]] called him to compose music for his film [[Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla]]. The songs ''Kaattil Kodumkaattil'' and ''Shaleena Soundaryame'' became superhits. He followed that up with films like [[Principal Olivil]], [[Madakkayathra]], [[Mamalakalkkappurathu]], [[Captain (1999 film)|Captain]], Achan Balan Makan Bheeman. Though he has composed music for over 25 films, several of them didn't get a release.<ref name='mm3' /><br />
<br />
It was his light music compositions that made him more popular. He has composed over 2000 songs in films, drama, apart from tuning light music along with over 100 [[Ayyappan|Ayyappa]] devotional songs. And most of them were also written by him. Out of all songs he composed, over 250 are sung by Yesudas. Also he wrote and directed 42 stage dramas and 25 dance dramas.<ref name='mm2'>{{Cite web |last=Sivashankar |first=Rajeev |date=2022-01-17 |title=Alleppey Ranganath: Composer whose songs moved Yesudas to tears, literally |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2022/01/17/alleppey-ranganath-composer.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=[[Malayala Manorama|OnManorama]]}}</ref> Ranganath's Ayyappa songs extended his popularity beyond Malayalam. His Ayyappa songs became a hit in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada as well. He has composed songs for 16 movies and 52 [[album]]s in Malayalam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alleppey Ranganath - MSIDb |url=https://ml.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Alleppey%20Ranganath&category=musician |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=msidb.org}}</ref> Most of these album songs were recorded in other regional languages also.<ref name='mm1' /><br />
Though he directed films like [[Ambadi Thannilorunni]] and Dhanurvedham, they hardly made an impact. It was [[A. R. Rahman]] who played the [[Electronic keyboard|keyboard]] for Ambadi Thannilorunni's [[background music]]. He directed a 17-episode series on [[Tyagaraja]] for [[DD Malayalam]] and a [[Television film|telefilm]] called Ariyathe.<ref name='mm3' /><br />
For the last two years before his death, he had been active in the field of music research. Inspired by Tyagaraja he introduced [[Pancharatna Kriti]]s in Malayalam. He had composed Malayalam [[Kriti (music)|keerthanams]] based on 72 [[melakarta]] [[raga]]s. These keerthanams are filled with most of the traditional literature and musical masters from [[Vyasa|Vedavyasan]] to [[Poonthanam]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=R. Pisharody |first=Hari |date=2021-09-05 |title=72 മേളകര്ത്താരാഗങ്ങളും ഒന്നിച്ചൊരു കീര്ത്തനം; 72 മഹാപ്രതിഭകള്ക്ക് രാഗവന്ദനവുമായി ആലപ്പി രംഗനാഥ് |trans-title=Alleppey Ranganath composing a newkeerthanam combining all 72 ragas |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/music/aleppey-ranganath-composing-a-new-keerthanam-combining-all-72-ragas-1.5974657 |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]] |language=Malayalam}}</ref> Earlier he had composed a [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] [[suprabhatam]] song in alphabetical order.<ref name='mm2' /> He also wrote 10 keerthanams, composed in [[carnatic music]], based on [[Bible]] verses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-17 |title=Noted lyricist Alleppey Ranganath passes away at 73 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/noted-lyricist-alleppey-ranganath-passes-away-at-73-7727085/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Awards==<br />
* 2012 – Lifetime Achievement Award by [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]], in connection with the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of [[Rabindranath Tagore]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-02-05 |title=Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi fellowships, awar |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2011/Feb/05/kerala-sangeeta-nataka-akademi-fellowships-awar-224913.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><br />
* 2022 – [[Harivarasanam Award]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 January 2022 |title=Harivarasanam Award 2022 for Alleppy Ranganath |url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/life/alleppey-ranganath-won-kerala-state-government-s-harivarasanam-award-2002-rv-495991.html |website=[[News18 Kerala]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Personal life==<br />
Ranganath was married to B. Rajasri, a classical dancer and teacher. He was living with his family at [[Ettumanoor]].<ref name='mm1 /><br />
<br />
==Death==<br />
Ranganath died on 16 January 2022, at the age of 72. He was undergoing treatment at [[Government Medical College, Kottayam]] as he was tested positive for [[COVID-19]] and had respiratory issues.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Alleppey Ranganath passes away at 73|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/renowned-music-director-alleppey-ranganath-passes-away-at-73/articleshow/88943404.cms|access-date=17 January 2022|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name='tnm' /> Just days before his death, he was awarded with [[Harivarasanam Award]] by [[Travancore Devaswom Board]] and had a concert at [[Sabarimala Temple]]. He was cremated with full state honours at his home in [[Ettumanoor]], where he was living for the last four decades of his life.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-17 |title=Music director Alleppey Ranganath passes away |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/music-director-alleppey-ranganath-passes-away-1.6367439 |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* {{IMDb name|1319930}}<br />
* [https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Alleppey%20Ranganath&category=musician Alleppey Ranganath] at MalayalaSangeetham.Info Database<br />
* [https://m3db.com/alleppey-ranganath Alleppey Ranganath] at [[:ml:മലയാളം മൂവി & മ്യൂസിക് ഡാറ്റാബേസ്|Malayalam Movie and Music Database]]<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranganath, Alleppey}}<br />
[[Category:1949 births]]<br />
[[Category:2022 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:People from Alappuzha]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian composers]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian composers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian male film score composers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]<br />
[[Category:Screenwriters from Kerala]]<br />
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]<br />
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India]]</div>CaseyBroderick