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{{Short description|Indian sports commentator and journalist}}
{{Indian patronymic|Shaiju|Damodaran}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Shaiju Damodaran
| image =
| caption = Shaiju in March 2016
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1973|02|07}}
| birth_place = [[Aroor]], [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]], India
| alma_mater = {{Unbulleted_list|[[The Cochin College|The Cochin College, Kochi]]|[[St. Paul's College, Kalamassery]]|[[Kerala Media Academy|Kerala Media Academy, Kochi]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Journalist|TV commentator|TV presenter}}
| spouse = Asha Shaiju
| children = 2
| website =
}}
'''Shaiju Damodaran''' (born 7 February 1973) is an Indian sports commentator, sports journalist and columnist who, as of 2022, is the leading [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] commentator for [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star network (Malayalam)]] on their [[Indian Super League]] (ISL) coverage. {{as of|November 2022}}, he has commentated on more than 500 ISL games, which is the highest by any commentators in any language in the ISL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shaiju Damodaran 300th- match as isl commentator special interview |website=ManoramaOnline |date=2019-11-06 |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/indepth/indian-super-league-2019-20/2019/11/06/shaiju--damodaran-300-th-match-as-isl-commentator-special-interview.html |language=ml |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160102/https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/indepth/indian-super-league-2019-20/2019/11/06/shaiju--damodaran-300-th-match-as-isl-commentator-special-interview.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Panappuzha |first=Vipin |title=isl 2020 21 Shaiju Damodaran reveals secrets in commentary box |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |date=2020-11-19 |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/sports-special/isl-2020-21-shaiju-damodaran-reveals-secrets-in-commentary-box-qk1mqf |language=ml |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160149/https://www.asianetnews.com/sports-special/isl-2020-21-shaiju-damodaran-reveals-secrets-in-commentary-box-qk1mqf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Early life and career ==

Shaiju Damodaran is the son of A. I. Damodaran and Lalitha Damodaran. He attended high school at [[Ochanthuruth]] and completed his [[Pre-university course|pre-degree]] at [[The Cochin College|The Cochin College, Kochi]], then studied for a [[Bachelor's degree]] in [[economics]] at [[St. Paul's College, Kalamassery]]. He later completed a [[Post-Graduate Diploma]] in journalism and mass communication at [[Kerala Media Academy|Kerala Media Academy, Kochi]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=You see this..the King of Commentary is here|url=http://www.metrovaartha.com/news/38904/shaiju-damodaran-isl-2019-20-special-interview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160146/http://www.metrovaartha.com/news/38904/shaiju-damodaran-isl-2019-20-special-interview|archive-date=30 December 2020|access-date=2020-12-24|website=www.metrovaartha.com|language=ml}}</ref>

In 1995, Shaiju started working as a journalist at ''[[Mathrubhumi]]'' in [[Kochi]], specializing in [[cricket]] and [[association football|football]], and later became a senior sub-editor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-18|title=Why People Around the Globe Are Tuning in to This Man's Malayalam World Cup Commentary|url=https://www.news18.com/news/football/why-people-around-the-globe-are-tuning-in-to-this-mans-malayalam-world-cup-commentary-1782395.html|access-date=2020-12-24|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160134/https://www.news18.com/news/football/why-people-around-the-globe-are-tuning-in-to-this-mans-malayalam-world-cup-commentary-1782395.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After working for 20 years, he resigned from ''Mathrubhumi'' to work as a special correspondent for Kochi-based firm ''[[Mangalam Publications]]'' in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Shaiju Damodaran, the commentator who touched the world|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/videos/sports/shaiju-damodaran-commentary-1.2948411|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160222/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/videos/sports/shaiju-damodaran-commentary-1.2948411|archive-date=30 December 2020|access-date=2020-12-24|website=Mathrubhumi|language=ml}}</ref> {{As of|January 2021}}, Shaiju works as a sports journalist; he has covered 10 [[Santosh Trophy|Santosh Trophy National Football Championships]], more than 400 ISL games, national and international cricket matches including the [[Ranji Trophy]], [[Deodhar Trophy]] and [[Duleep Trophy]]. He has also covered all of the [[One Day International]] cricket games in Kochi.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vasudevan|first=Shyam|title=Shaiju Damodaran, the man whose commentary went viral|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/fifa-world-cup-2018/shaiju-damodaran-viral-commentary-world-cup/article24240862.ece|access-date=2020-12-24|website=Sportstar|date=23 June 2018 |language=en|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160150/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/fifa-world-cup-2018/shaiju-damodaran-viral-commentary-world-cup/article24240862.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Commentary career ==

Shaiju started his career as a sports commentator in 2012, covering the 2012 [[Celebrity Cricket League]] (CCL) season, which he covered for the next two seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Those who wants to kill in defeat are fools; Says Shaiju Damodaran|url=https://www.janmabhumi.in/read/shaiju-damodaran-interview/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160106/https://www.janmabhumi.in/read/shaiju-damodaran-interview/|archive-date=30 December 2020|access-date=2020-12-24|website=Janmabhumi|language=ml}}</ref> He was chosen as the leading commentator in Malayalam for the inaugural season of the ISL.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mohandas |first=Vandana |title=The Shaiju goalgasm! |website=Deccan Chronicle |date=2018-06-20 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/football/190618/winning-hearts-with-his-commentary.html |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160203/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/football/190618/winning-hearts-with-his-commentary.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ahead of the [[2015 Cricket World Cup|ICC Cricket World Cup 2015]], Star Network decided to include Malayalam commentary and Shaiju was engaged as the leading commentator.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 'Singham' Commentator Reveals His Commentary Style |website=NDTVSports.com |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/2018-fifa-world-cup/videos/the-singham-commentator-reveals-his-commentary-style-488268 |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160138/https://sports.ndtv.com/2018-fifa-world-cup/videos/the-singham-commentator-reveals-his-commentary-style-488268 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, he became the first person to complete 200 matches as an ISL commentator.<ref>{{cite web |title=ISL football commentator Shaiju Damodaran break records today |website=malayalam.samayam.com |date=2018-02-09 |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/isl-football-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-facebook-post/articleshow/62849036.cms |language=ml |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160218/https://malayalam.samayam.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/isl-football-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-facebook-post/articleshow/62849036.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the same year, he commentated for the [[2017 ICC Champions Trophy]]'s final between India and Pakistan. In 2018, [[Sony ESPN]] engaged Shaiju as the leading Malayalam commentator for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup in Russia]]; it was the first Malayalam commentary of a [[FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bhatt |first=Shephali |title=FIFA World Cup 2018: Meet the commentators who add local flavour to the beautiful game |website=The Economic Times |date=2018-07-14 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/football-world-cup-commentators-in-indian-languages-beat-english-pundits/articleshow/64990622.cms |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160139/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/football-world-cup-commentators-in-indian-languages-beat-english-pundits/articleshow/64990622.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> During the tournament, Shaiju's commentary of [[Cristiano Ronaldo]]’s 87th-minute free-kick goal against Spain captured the attention of football fans across the globe and became viral on social media.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rakesh |first=K.M. |title=Universal language: Ronaldo da |website=Telegraph India |date=2018-06-18 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/universal-language-ronaldo-da/cid/1348584 |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160211/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/universal-language-ronaldo-da/cid/1348584 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Viswanath |first=Chandrakanth |title=Why People Around the Globe Are Tuning in to This Man's Malayalam World Cup Commentary |website=News18 |date=2018-06-18 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/football/why-people-around-the-globe-are-tuning-in-to-this-mans-malayalam-world-cup-commentary-1782395.html |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160134/https://www.news18.com/news/football/why-people-around-the-globe-are-tuning-in-to-this-mans-malayalam-world-cup-commentary-1782395.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pandey |first=Aditya |title=Malayalam Commentator, Shaiju Damodaran On What It Takes To Be Great Behind The Microphone |website=www.mensxp.com |date=2020-01-26 |url=https://www.mensxp.com/sports/football/72259-malayalam-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-on-what-it-takes-to-be-great-behind-the-microphone.html |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160222/https://www.mensxp.com/sports/football/72259-malayalam-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-on-what-it-takes-to-be-great-behind-the-microphone.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2019, Shaiju later did the Malayalam commentary for the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]], which was held in the [[UAE]]. He also commentated for India's numerous friendly football games.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Kerala 'outside the Blasters; Malayalee players in ISL 7th season": Shaiju Damodaran Analysis |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/football/2020/12/10/indian-players-perform-better-in-isl-7th-season-commentary-box-shaiju-damodaran.html |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160153/https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/football/2020/12/10/indian-players-perform-better-in-isl-7th-season-commentary-box-shaiju-damodaran.html |archive-date=30 December 2020 |access-date=2020-12-24 |website=www.manoramaonline.com}}</ref> In December 2020, he recreated the commentary for [[Diego Maradona]]'s 'Goal of the Century' in the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]] in Malayalam by the request of [[Victor Hugo Morales]], and had aired in [[Argentina]] through [[:es:Radio AM 750|Radio AM 750]].<ref>{{Cite web|author=Biju E Paul|date=2020-12-25|title=Victor Hugo Morales' commentary on Maradona goal recreated in Malayalam|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/football/2020/dec/25/victor-hugo-morales-commentary-on-maradona-goal-recreated-in-malayalam-2241016.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160107/https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/football/2020/dec/25/victor-hugo-morales-commentary-on-maradona-goal-recreated-in-malayalam-2241016.html|archive-date=30 December 2020|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=listen to yourself Malayalam sound for maradona goal |website=Madhyamam |date=2020-12-25 |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/sports/football/listen-to-yourself-malayalam-sound-for-maradona-goal-624649 |language=ml |access-date=2020-12-28 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160224/https://www.madhyamam.com/sports/football/listen-to-yourself-malayalam-sound-for-maradona-goal-624649 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Commentary style ==
Shaiju's commentary style consists of energetic phrases peppered with aberrant uses and one-liners.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sanketh|first=Aakanksh|date=2018-06-25|title=Indian commentator becomes viral sensation after Cristiano Ronaldo's goal|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-commentator-becomes-viral-sensation-after-cristiano-ronaldo-goal|access-date=2020-12-24|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160214/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-commentator-becomes-viral-sensation-after-cristiano-ronaldo-goal|url-status=live}}</ref> He usually intersperses his commentary with famous dialogue from movies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=V|first=Vijay Krishna C.|date=2018-06-18|title="Ronaldooo" – Super Energetic Malayalam Commentator – Shaiju Damodaran – Malayala Karayude Romanjam|url=https://vijaykrishnacv.com/2018/06/18/ronaldooo-super-energetic-malayalam-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-malayala-karayude-romanjam/|access-date=2020-12-24|website=PAC Talks|language=en|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160107/https://vijaykrishnacv.com/2018/06/18/ronaldooo-super-energetic-malayalam-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-malayala-karayude-romanjam/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shaiju has said his reaction is automatic and he uses a mix of language in his commentary, saying; "It comes naturally to me when the action calls for it. It’s an emotional display rather than a verbal expression. I think people like it".<ref>{{Cite web|title=FIFA World Cup 2018: Meet Malayalam commentator Shaiju Damodaran, whose high-octane style has made him a global sensation |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2018-meet-malayalam-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-whose-high-octane-style-has-made-him-a-global-sensation-4544741.html|access-date=2020-12-24|website=Firstpost|date=19 June 2018 |archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160153/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2018-meet-malayalam-commentator-shaiju-damodaran-whose-high-octane-style-has-made-him-a-global-sensation-4544741.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fascinated with Shaiju's commentary on Ronaldo's free-kick goal, [[Mahindra Group]] executive chairman [[Anand Mahindra]] tweeted:<blockquote>Ok that’s it. I’m switching to this channel with commentary in Malayalam. No, I don’t understand the language but I don’t need to—these guys are so pumped up they make the English & Hindi commentators sound tame!<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-18|title=The Shaiju Damodaran moment: The Malayalam football commentator India is raving about|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/shaiju-damodaran-moment-malayalam-football-commentator-india-raving-about-83256|access-date=2020-12-24|website=The News Minute|language=en|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160202/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/shaiju-damodaran-moment-malayalam-football-commentator-india-raving-about-83256|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

==Controversy==

{{Empty section|date=February 2026}}

== Personal life ==
Shaiju is married to Asha and the couple lives in [[Kaloor]], Kochi, with their children Abhinov and Adhinov.<ref>{{cite web |author=Shaiju Damodaran |title=Nine goals scored in the match: Shaiju Damodaran writes |website=ManoramaOnline |date=2020-12-19 |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/football/2020/12/19/indian-super-league-2020-21-column-commentary-box-2-shaiju-damodaran.html |language=ml |access-date=2020-12-24 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160219/https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/football/2020/12/19/indian-super-league-2020-21-column-commentary-box-2-shaiju-damodaran.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Damodaran, Shaiju}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
[[Category:Indian sports commentators]]
[[Category:Indian cricket commentators]]
[[Category:Journalists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Association football commentators]]
[[Category:Indian columnists]]

Shaiju Damodaran - Revision history

Aranyam: adding info