A. T. Ummer

A. T. Ummer (Anjukandy Thalakkal Ummer, Malayalam: എ. റ്റി. ഉമ്മർ) (10 March 1933 – 18 October 2001) was a noted Malayalam music composer from Kerala, India. He is known for composing many soft melodies for Malayalam movies.

Born in Anjukandy in Kannur district on 10 March 1933, Ummer made his debut in the 1967 film Thalirukkal.[1] It was director A. Vincent who first recognized his musical talents. In 1969 he got the opportunity to compose songs for the film Almaram, directed by Vincent. Two years later, Vincent made the musical hit Abhijathyam which established A. T. Ummer in the Malayalam film field.

In the 1970s, Ummer teamed up with lyricist Bichu Thirumala to compose some outstanding melodies. He has also given tunes to lyrics by other eminent poets and song writers, including P. Bhaskaran and O. N. V. Kurup.

In 1976, he won the Kerala State Film Award for the best music director for the I. V. Sasi directed film Aalinganam.[2] The melancholic song "Thushaara bindhukkale" from the same movie fetched S. Janaki the Kerala State Film Award for the best female singer. He composed many popular songs including 'Oru mayil peeliyay njan', 'Neela jalashayathil', 'Marivill panthalitta', 'Devi nin chiriyil', 'Vakappoo maram choodum', 'Chemapakappoonkavanathile', 'Ninnepunaran neettiya kaikalil', 'Vrishchika rathri than', 'Pottikkaranjukondomane', 'Thushara bindukkale', 'Unni aarariro' and 'Oru nimisham tharoo'. He died aged 68 on 18 October 2001, after prolonged illness. He was survived by his wife Hafsath, whom he married in 1978, and son Amar Elahi.