Bichu Thirumala – Popular lyricist of Malayalam cinema since 1970s

Bichu Thirumala (1941 – 2021) was a popular lyricist & poet who wrote in Malayalam. He was also a singer, screenwriter & writer. One of the popular lyricists since late 1970s, he along with ONV Kurup is credited to creating the style of arranging beautiful words in Malayalam film songs, and also one among the leading lyricists who wrote lyrics for already made tunes. Winner of 2 Kerala state film awards for best lyricist, he constantly kept on updating himself, thus penning several popular songs appealing youth listeners. He wrote over 3000 film songs, and published a collection of poems titled – Kaalathinte Kanakku Pusthakam.

Bichu Thirumala’s debut film Bhaja Govindam (1972) was never released

Born as B. Sivasankaran Nair in 1941 in Thirumala of Thiruvananthapuram district into a family of musicians, he graduated from University College of capital city. He had three siblings of whom, one brother died at younger age. His sister Susheela Devi is a singer and brother Darshan Raman is a music director. He was married to Prasanna, and their son Suman Bichu is a Music Director.

Bichu Thirumala used to write poetry since childhood. Yet joined film industry in 1970 as an assistant director, to pursue his filmmaking dreams. However, one of his published poems in a magazine opened him doors to penning lyrics. His first break was with the film, Bhaja Govindam (1972), a movie which was never released. Yet one of its songs, “Brahma Muhoorthathil” became popular as light music.

Neelakaashavum Meghangalum from Akkaldama (1975) composed by Shyam and sung by KP Brahmanandan was his first released song. Within a few years, he established as a successful lyricist, and his association with music director Shyam was a landmark. The duo gifted several memorable songs in the 1980s. Initially he wrote songs for music director A. T. Ummer. He gave some of his finest songs in Illayaraja’s Malayalam compositions too, apart from songs composed by Bollywood music composer Ravindra Jain.

Known for simple writing style, he was proficient in songs of all genres

Lullabies, romantic songs, fun songs, songs of separation and griefs – Bichu Thirumala excelled in all types of songs. His lyrics are so simple too. He won state film awards for best lyricist twice – Mainakam of Trishna & Ottakambi Naadam of Thenum Vayambum (1981), and Manassil Ninnum Manassilekkoru of Kadinjool Kalyanam (1991).

Most active for three decades since 1970s, during one of his peak years, he wrote songs for 35 movies in a year. He penned lyrics for over 400 films. He wrote story, script and dialogues of two movies named Shakti and Ishtapraneshwari. He passed away on 26 November 2021 aged 80, following heart attack.

Bichu Thirumala – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. While studying in class 10, he wrote a poem for his sister, Chandamezhunnoru Poove, which began his writing career.

2. He dreamt to become a film director. But when his songs got noticed and he turned busy, he turned a full-time writer. In fact in 1970, he worked as an assistant to M. Krishnan Nair.

3. He wrote maximum songs for music composer Shyam.

4. His first song – “Brahma Muhoorthathil” belonging to unreleased film, Bhaja Govindam used to be aired on Ceylon radio in the 1970s and was popular.

5. He is credited to penning all songs of movie, Yoddha (1992), the only work of A. R. Rahman in Malayalam up-to-date. (A. R. Rahman’s second Malayalam work, Aadujeevitham is yet to release).

6. Apart from film songs, he penned numerous songs for light music, devotional and Onam songs. Mamankam Palakuri is one such popular Onam song.

7. He composed music for some devotional albums too.

8. He was interested in penning lyrics for all songs for an album, and known for completing his work within the speculated time.

9. He owns the credit of forming successful combo with all leading music composers between mid-1970s and mid-1990s.

10. The title of the famous movie, Manichitrathazhu was coined from the song, Pazhamthamizhpaatt, he penned for the album.

11. He introduced many words that are not commonly used in the mainstream film lyric vocabulary.

Popular film songs penned by Bichu Thirumala

Title track of Thenum Vayambum sung by Janaki

1. Vaakapoo Maram Choodum from Anubhavam
2. Ottakambi Naadam from Thenum Vayambum
3. Title track of Thenum Vayambum
4. Mainakam from Trishna
5. Shruthiyil Ninnunarum from Trishna
6. Aalipazham from My Dear Kuttichathan
7. Minnaaminungum from My Dear Kuttichathan
8. Rakendu Kiranangal from Avalude Raavukal
9. Unni Aarariro from Avalude Raavukal
10. Padakali from Yodha
11. Kunukune from Yodha
12. Mizhiyariyaathe from Niram
13. Prayam Nammil from Niram
14. Kannaam Thumpee from Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal
15. Manassil Ninnum from Kadinjool Kalyanam
16. Ezhuswarangalum from Chiriyo Chiri
17. Kokkaamandi from Chiriyo Chiri
18. Samaya Radhangalil from Chiriyo Chiri
19. Oru Mayilpeeliyaay from Aniyaatha Valakal
20. Poonkaattinodum from Poomukhapadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu
21. Konche Karayalle from Poomukhapadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu
22. Snehathin Poonchola from Pappayude Swantham Appoos
23. Enn Poove Pon Poove from Pappayude Swantham Appoos
24. Olathumpathu from Pappayude Swantham Appoos
25. Paalnilaavinum from Kabooliwala
26. Puthen Puthukaalam from Kabooliwala
27. Pirannoree Mannum from Kabooliwala
28. Kaboolivala Naadoodi from Kabooliwala
29. Pranayasarovara Theeram from Innale Innu
30. Hridayam Devalayam from Teruvu Geetham
31. En Swaram Poovidum from Anupallavi
32. Neela Jalasayathil from Angeekaram
33. Naladamayanthi Kadhayile from Rowdy Ramu
34. Mizhiyoram from Manjil Virinja Pookkal (2 versions)
35. Manjadi Kunnil from Manjil Virinja Pookkal
36. Manjani Kombil/ Manjani Kunnil from Manjil Virinja Pookkal
37. Pazham Tamizh from Manichitrathazhu
38. Oru Murai Vanthu from Manichitrathazhu (along with Vaali)
39. Kaattu Thaarattum from Ahimsa
40. Paavada Venam from Angadi
41. Kannum Kannum Thammil from Angadi
42. Kannippalunke Ponninkinaave from Angadi
43. Pookkalam Vannu from Godfather
44. Manthrikochamma Varunnundee from Godfather
45. Pookkalam Vannu Pookkalam from Godfather
46. Oru Madhura Kinavin from Kaanamarayathu
47. Kasthuriman Kurunne from Kaanamarayathu
48. Swarna Meeninte from Sarpam
49. Penninte Chenchundil from Guruji Oru Vakku
50. Venpakal Thirayo Nizhalaattamo from Guruji Oru Vakku
51. Unnam Marannu from In Harihar Nagar
52. Title track from Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
53. Punchiriyude Poovilikalil from Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
54. Vazhappoonkilikal from Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
55. Kilukil Pambaram/ Panineer Chandrike from Kilukkam
56. Ootypattanam from Kilukkam
57. Meena Venalil from Kilukkam
58. Kannodu Kannoram Nee from Ente Mamattikuttiyammakku
59. Mounangale Chaanchaduvan from Ente Mamattikuttiyammakku
60. Aalorungi Arangorungi from Ente Mamattikuttiyammakku
61. Thaimanikkunju Thennal from Ente Mamattikuttiyammakku
62. Aayiram Kannumayi from Nokkethadoorath Kannum Nattu
63. Laathiri Poothiri from Nokkethadoorath Kannum Nattu
64. Kiliye Kiliye from Nokkethadoorath Kannum Nattu
65. Nakshatra Deepangal from Nirakudam
66. Kulambadi Thalam from Jackpot
67. Thaazhvaram from Jackpot
68. Pavanarachezhuthunna from Vietnam Colony
69. Pathiraavaay Neram from Vietnam Colony
70. Lallam Paadunna from Vietnam Colony
71. Nananju Neriya Patturummal from Ente Mohangal Poovaninju
72. Kaalindee Theeram Thannil from April 18