Kaithapram Damodaran

Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri (born 4 August 1950), popularly known as Kaithapram, is an Indian lyricist, music director, actor, singer, screenwriter, and performer of Carnatic music. He is the son of the late singer Keshavan Namboothiri (popularly known as Kannadi Bhagavathar, a disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar) and Aditi Antharjanam. He generally performs in the Malayalam language.

Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri
Background information
Born (1950-08-04) 4 August 1950
OriginKaithapram, Kannur, Kerala, India
Occupation(s)
Years active1985 – present
Websitekaithapram.com

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 346 films. He has also acted in many films, including Swathithirunal, Aryan, 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.

As a lyricist, Kaithapram made songs with almost all major music composers of his time. But, most of his popular songs were composed by Johnson. The duo made songs for around 35 films, and most of them have superhit songs. He also made numerous songs with Mohan Sithara, Raveendran, Ouseppachan, S. P. Venkatesh, Vidyasagar, Jassie Gift and so on.

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.

In January 2017, he announced that he is dropping his caste name 'Namboothiri'. He took this decision in a programme held by DYFI. He said that he does not believe in caste, and there is no need for holding it in this era. He also requested never to use his caste name.

Personal life

Kaithapram was born in the village of Kaithapram, near Payyanur in Kannur district of North Malabar region in India[1] and he is currently residing in Thiruvannur in Kozhikode District. He is the eldest son of the late singer Kannadi Illath Kesavan Namboothiri, a disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and Adithi Antharjanam, followed by two brothers and two sisters. He got his Veda education from his grandfather. Later on he continued his education under well-known gurus (teachers) including Pazhassi Thamburan (a descendant of Pazhassi Raja) and SVS Narayanan. 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. His elder son Deepankuran is a singer who has sung for various films including Desadanam, as well as Devotional Songs. Kaithapram Damodaran's youngest brother, Kaithapram Viswanathan, is a Malayalam cinema music director who runs the Sruthilaya Music School at Payyanur.

Awards
Kerala State Film Award

Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics

Filmfare Awards South
  • 1996 - Best Music Director : Deshadanam
  • 1997 - Best Music Director : Kaliyattam [2]
Asianet Film Awards

Filmography

As lyricist

Selected film albums for which Kaithapram wrote lyrics include:

As composer

The major film song albums composed by Kaithapram:[3]

As director

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:

As script writer

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. https://archive.is/20170205071128/https://archive.org/details/45thFilmfareSouthBestMusicDirectors
  3. "Kaithapram". Malayalam Movies.
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