B. K. Harinarayanan – Malayalam film lyricist of “Jeevamshamayi Thaane” fame
B. K. Harinarayanan is one of the top lyricists of present-generation Malayalam cinema. After staying in Malayalam cinema for long 8 years since 2010, he shot to fame with the romantic song – “Jeevamshamayi Thaane” of Theevandi released in 2018. The song filmed on Tovino Thomas and Samyuktha Menon went viral over net, and became the top watched Malayalam song of the year. The lyricist also bagged Kerala state film awards for best lyricist of the year. “Kannethaadooram Nee Maayunnu…..” from Joseph also helped him to bag state film awards. Earlier he earned recognition through Olanjaali Kuruvi song of 1983 and Minungum Minnaminuge song of Oppam.
The art of aksharaslokam horned his writing skills
B. K. Harinarayanan belongs to an orthodox family of Vedic priests in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur district. Karikaadu is his native village. As per family traditions, he started learning Sanskrit slogas at the age of 4 from his father and uncle, and mastered around 1500 of them at a very young age. Later his knowledge in slokas gave him foundation in writing. He regularly participated in poetry recitation contests which honed his writing skills too.
Initially he published his poems in Malayalam magazines. He closely watched his father and uncle reading poetry of G. Shankara Kurup, Changampuzha and Vyloppilli, which also drew him close to poetry. He also started loving their poems. When he learnt more about these poets, he got attracted to the life of poets, and imagined himself the same. He started writing. As his paternal uncle is a great critic of his poems, he used to hide his works and didn’t have enough courage to show him.
After graduating in physics, he joined Chartered Accountant classes. He discontinued studies after completing inter. He studied journalism for a while, completed PG Diploma and interestingly also worked as a bus conductor. Destiny was something else and he reached the world of poetry and films.
2010 Prithviraj starrer ‘The Thriller’ marked his debut as a lyricist
Minungum Minnaaminunge song from Oppam
His first work was for a Mappilla album, “Ponnurummaal” in 2009. Songs were composed by Kunnamkulam Unni Nambiar. It gave him the first break to films. B. Unnikrishnan’s assistant Jayakumar gave him the first offer. Thus ‘The Thriller’ marked his debut as a lyricist in Malayalam cinema. But his work went unnoticed.
After struggling for many years he slowly gained momentum after year 2015. Prithviraj starrer Paavada released in 2016 also played an important role in it. Harinarayanan penned lyrics for all its three songs, and interestingly voices for two of them were rendered by film stars Nedumudi Venu and Jayasurya. Oppam released the same year also gave him recognition. He penned the songs – Minungum Minnaminuge and Chirimukilum. He started getting more offers from Malayalam movies.
He shot to instant fame when songs of ‘Theevandi’ were released online
Definitely “Jeevamshamayi Thaane” of Theevandi composed by Kailas Menon is a landmark song of his career. It’s his most popular song, which became the biggest chartbuster of year 2018. The song picturization, music and rendition were all well noticed, and easily connected with youngsters. He also penned lyrics for movies like The Great Father, C/o Saira Banu, Oppam, Pulimurugan, 1983, Poomaram, Mili, Oppam, Sakhavu, CIA, Joseph, Action Hero Biju, How Old Are You, Georgettante Pooram Adventures of Omanakuttan, Puthenpanam, Rakshadikari Baiju (Oppu) etc. As of now he has penned lyrics for more than 400 film songs. The lyricist is known for using less-known words for his songs such as Kummayam, Ambaazham, Chillu Ranthal Vilakk, and for framing new words like Jeevamshamayi.
B. K. Harinarayanan – 10+ Interesting and less-known facts
1. He initially hid his passion of writing poems from everyone. He secretly wrote poems in the book used to write Mridangam lessons.
2. He published his first poem while studying in class 9. His poem secretly written in Mridangam lessons book was caught by his teacher, Guru E. P. Narayana Pisharady, who took him to his elder brother. He rewrote the poem in Keka Vritham, and added a few words. Though Harinarayanan was not familiar with those words he obeyed the instructions and the poem was sent to a magazine and got published.
3. He wrote maximum songs for composer Gopi Sundar. Together they created more than 150 film songs. They joined hands for the first time through Mohanlal starrer, Mr. Fraud. Gopisunder later offered him many works, though Harinarayanan was not a familiar name to Malayalam cinema.
4. He gives credits to B. Unnikrishnan and Gopi Sundar to make him a lyricist.
5. Happiest moment of his life was when B. Unnikrishnan announced that Harinarayanan is writing songs for his movie, The Thriller. Winning state awards, listening Yesudas singing his lines, “Kandittum Kandittum Porathe”, to meet P. Jayachandran for the first time and recording his song in veteran’s voice are other unforgettable chapters of his life.
6. B. K. Harinarayanan started his career with Prithviraj starrer The Thriller in 2010, and later penned lyrics for many of his films. Paavada is one among their popular works, followed by Ezra, My Story, Tiyaan etc. He penned lyrics of Paadunnu Priya Raagangal song of Ezra, Kuruthakkedinte Koodane, Paavam Paavada and Eha Loka Jeevitham of Paavada etc.
7. He also frequently wrote songs for movies starring Mohanlal and Nivin Pauley.
8. He wrote Sanskrit songs for Action Hero Biju, Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit) and Poomaram.
9. He penned lyrics for almost every movie of Abrid Shine, which include 1983, Poomaram and Action Hero Biju. Abrid Shine’s 4th movie, The Kung Fu Master is the only exception.
10. Music composer Kailas Menon was initially confused with the lengthy word, “Jeevamshamayi”. He doubted if it would be accepted by music listeners. But the lyricist who heard the tune over phone convinced him, and it proved to be right too.
11. He used to go to temples to do rituals as a temple priest during his academic years.
12. He is still unmarried. Though he has been attracted to many females, he never expressed his love to anyone. Instead he expressed his feelings through poetry. He believes himself to be romantic in heart.
B. K. Harinarayanan’s top hit Malayalam film songs
Jeevamshamayi Thaane from Theevandi
- Jeevamshamayi Thaane from Theevandi
- Minungum Minnaaminunge from Oppam
- Lailaakame from Ezra
- Hridayavaathil from C/o Saira Banu
- Hemanthamen Kaikumbilil from Kohinoor
- Eeran Kaattil from Salala Mobiles
- Khalbilu Thenozhukum from Goodaalochana
- Mohamunthiri of Madhura Raja
- Kandittum Kandittum from Villain
- Olanjaali Kuruvi from 1983
- Muruga Muruga and Kaadanium Kaalchilambe from Pulimurugan
- Chillu Ranthal from Kali
- Kattumooliyo from Ohm Shanthi Oshaana
- Ee Shishirakalam from Jacobinte Swargarajyam
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