Dhibu Ninan Thomas – South Indian music composer of ‘ARM’ fame

Dhibu Ninan Thomas is a music composer and producer who works in South Film industry. He predominantly works in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. He is active in the industry since 2017, and has debut in Telugu industry in 2019 as well. His songs in 2023 Tamil film, Chithha and 2024 film, Ajayante Randam Moshanam shot him to instant fame. His ability to blend traditional South Indian musical elements with contemporary sounds make him one of the most sought composers of present times.

Dhibu hails from Kerala, though he is mostly associated with Tamil music

Dhibu was born and raised in Thiruvalla, Kerala. He was inclined towards music since young. Music was an integral part of his upbringing. His mom Grace Thomas is a good singer. His father Thomas Mathew who works as an accountant in Dubai also loves music. He had a good collection of music cassettes. It was his mother’s ambition that Dhibu should study Carnatic music. While studying in class 3, he started formal learning in carnatic music from Guru Ganesh Bhagawathar. He was fully supported by his family, who encouraged him to participate in music competitions. He learnt orchestra from Kottayam MD seminary while at school.

He pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics at JJ Engineering College in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. During his college days, he got more associated with music, and marked his music career debut with Tamil cinema. Sivakarthikeyan and Arunraja Kamaraj were his close friends at college, and later they associated together in Tamil film industry. Before he succeeded in his music journey, he lost both his parents.

He made his debut in 2017 with Maragadha Naanayam

After completing his engineering studies, he was more into music and was trying hard to find an opportunity in Tamil film industry. As nothing happened, he moved abroad and took a degree from the renowned School of Audio Engineering in Australia. He also did a crash course in sound engineering in New Zealand.

His marriage with Chinchu happened those days. He left his pregnant wife at home and moved to Chennai, where he started his career as an assistant director under Santhosh Narayan. His wife encouraged him a lot. The couple has two daughters, and the family is now settled in Chennai. He marked his debut with 2017 critically acclaimed film, Maragadha Naanayam directed by ARK Saravan in his directorial debut.

Kanaa made Dhibu popular

Collaborating with his college friends, Sivakarthikeyan and Arunraja Kamaraj he composed music for Kanaa and the songs made him popular. Both the film’s themes and tracks composed by Dhibu were appreciated. Since then he is known for his versality and the ability to blend different styles of music. He later composed popular music for Tamil films, Nenjuku Needhi, Bachelor and Chithha. Adiye from Bachelor, Pesatha Mozhiye from Kombu Vatcha Singamda and Kangal Edho from Chithha were huge chartbusters.

Songs of ARM made him popular in Malayalam cinema

“Angu Vaana Konilu” song from Ajayante Randam Moshanam

He marked his Mollywood debut with Zacharia Pothen Jeevichirippundu, released in 2017. It was released a few months after his debut Tamil work. But the movie went unnoticed and he later concentrated on to Tamil films. He returned in a bang with 2024 Tovino Thomas starrer adventure film, Ajayante Randam Moshanam. The songs like “Angu Vaana Konilu” and “Kiliye” were huge chartbusters. “Bhairavan Pattu”, “Maniya” and “Kooriruttilu Kaalkulambadi” are other songs from the album. “Angu Vaana Konilu” – A perfect blend of lullaby and inspiration sung by Vaikom Vijayalakshmi strike the right chord with listeners. “Kiliye” was a huge romantic chartbuster of the year. Now, as a successful composer he has a handful of projects which include Tamil film, Diesel.

Dhibu Ninan Thomas – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Actor Sivakarthikeyan and actor-director Arunraja Kamaraj were his college mates. The trio collaborated together for 2018 Indian Tamil sports drama film Kanaa which marked Arunraja’s directorial debut. Sivakarthikeyan and his daughter Aaradhana rendered their voice for “Vaayadi Petha Pulla” song composed by Dhibu, and the song was an instant chartbuster.

2. He composed Pesatha Mozhiye from Kombu Vatcha Singamda, lyrics penned by his friend Arunraja Kamaraj. (See the Malayalam translation of the song here)

3. Dhibu believes that melody stays for long. Yet as a composer he is focussed on catering to the needs of the scenario and strike a balance with both.

4. He rendered his voice for his 2018 song from Kanaa, “Savaal“, composed by himself.

5. During his childhood days, he loved ice candy a lot. But, as he was learning music he was not allowed to take it.

6. While he was doing his engineering studies in Trichy, to escape from seniors’ ragging, his friends advised him to become company of seniors. He played piano to enter fine arts club of the college and a senior, impressed by his performance came forward and hugged him. He was the popular composer Santhosh Narayan, under whom he worked as an assistant doing his initial years in music industry later.