Mankombu Gopalakrishnan – Well-known lyricist known for several Malayalam classic songs

Mankombu Gopalakrishnan (1947/1948 – 17 March 2025) was a well-known lyricist and poet, who wrote in Malayalam. In a film career spanning over 5 decades, Mankombu penned over 700 songs for about 200 movies, apart from writing the story and screenplay for around 10 Malayalam films. He was also known as a critic, translator and journalist. He also wrote dialogues for many films.

He is best recognized for songs belonging to classic era such as Laksharchana Kandu from Ayalathe Sundari, Naadan Pattinte from Babumon, Kalidasante Kavyabhavanaye and Thaalipoo Peelipoo from Sujatha, “Ashaadha Maasam Aathmavin Moham” from Yudhabhoomi, Ilam manjin Kulirumayoru kuyil from Ninnishtam Ennishtam etc. He also wrote Malayalam lyrics for dubbed films like RRR, Bahubali, Animal etc in the recent times.

Mankombu Gopalakrishnan made his debut as a lyricist in the Malayalam film industry in the year 1970

He got the opportunity to write songs for a film in 1970. It was Chandran Mohan, the brother of the famous singer Udayabhanu, who provided him with that opportunity. With slight modifications, his song was recorded in the voice of Yesudas. The song was “Ashtami Poothingale En Anuraga Malarthingale” from the film Koottukari. The film’s producer and director, Mathews, liked the song and entrusted Gopalakrishnan with writing the remaining songs for the movie as well.

However, that film was released three years later, in 1974, with its title changed to Alakal. By then, songs from three or four other films written by him had already been released. The first film to feature his song was Vimochana Samaram, which was released in 1971. Read his biography in Malayalam.

Songs Born from the Hariharan – Mankombu Collaboration

Many of his timeless songs were for films directed by Hariharan. The iconic Laksharchana and Thrayambakam Villodinjhu from Ayalathe Sundari, and songs like Thaalipoo, Kalidasante Kavyabhavanaye, Aashritavatsalane, and Swayamvara Shubhadina Mangalam from Sujatha were part of this memorable collaboration. The highly popular Naadan Pattinte from Babumon is also a cherished result of this partnership.

It was while staying at R.K. Lodge in Chennai that Mankombu wrote the song Laksharchana. When director Hariharan read the lyrics, he was greatly impressed. Hariharan had a clear vision for the song sequences in his films. Thus, the song that became a turning point in Mankombu Gopalakrishnan’s film career was born. In the film ‘Yagashwam’ directed by Hariharan, the last song composed by Baburaj was also penned by Mankombu.

A return journey without seeing the celebrations

Just days before celebrating his 50th anniversary in songwriting, he passed away. After completing preparations for his trip to Chennai, he was hospitalized. The release of his book titled ‘Laksharchana Kandu Madangumbol’ was also scheduled for that day. Tragically, he fell from the steps of his house named ‘Laksharchana’. Four days later, he passed away due to a heart attack.

He only incorporated images and poetic metaphors closely tied to life in his writings. Perhaps that is why many of his songs continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Malayalis even decades later.

Hit Songs of Mankombu Gopalakrishnan Across Five Decades

1. Ashaadha Maasam Aathmavin Moham (Yudhabhoomi – R.K. Shekhar)
2. Ayalathe Sundari (Shankar Ganesh)

• Laksharchana Kandu
• Thrayambakam Villodinjju
• Neelamegha Kuda Nivarthi
• Chitravarna Pushpajaalam

3. Prarthana (Dakshinamoorthy)

• Ente Manassoru Sreekovil

4. Ambili Ammavan (Devarajan)

• Rajasooayam Kazhinju

5. Sujatha (Ravindra Jain)

• Kalidasante Kaavyabhavanaye
• Thaalipoo Peelipoo
• Swayamvara Shubhadina
• Aashritha Vatsalane

6. Ormakal Marikkumo (M.S. Viswanath)

• Chandramadathinte Gandhamadanathile
• Thrippayaarappa

7. Snehathinte Mukham (M.S. Viswanath)

• Gangayil Theerthamaadiya

8. Boeing Boeing (Raghu Kumar)

• Oru Punnaram Kinnaram
• Thozhukayi Koopi Unarum

9. Love Marriage (Aahwaan Sebastian)

• Kaaminimarkkullil

10. Avalkku Maranamilaa (Devarajan)

• Navaneetha Chandrike

11. Chennaya Valarthiya Kutti (Arjunan)

• Ashtamangalya Suprabhathathil

12. Ivane Ninte Priyaputhran (K.K. Joy)

• Ee Jeevitham Oru
• Devaamrutha Ganga Unarthum

13. Swarna Matsyam (Baburaj)

• Thulavarshameghamoru
• Manikyapoo Muthu

14. Ninnishtam Ennishtam (Kannur Rajan)

• Ilam Manjin
• Naadangalaayi Nee Varoo
• Thumbappoo Kaattile

Mankombu Gopalakrishnan – Some Untold Stories and Unwritten Pages

The word ‘Laksharchana,’ taken from his most famous song ‘Laksharchana Kandu Madangumpol’, was the name he chose for his house. He spent his final days at his residence named ‘Laksharchana’ on Thaikkudam AKG Road.

His student days — he was around seventeen or eighteen years old at the time. He had feelings for a slightly older girl, a relative, who was well-read and enjoyed literature. She used to read his poems and share her thoughts on them. Though their closeness blossomed into a silent love, it remained unfulfilled. The intense emotions of that lost love found eternal expression in his timeless song ‘Laksharchana Kandu Madangumpol’. The temple and the Laksharchana mentioned in the song are all part of those cherished memories of his lost love.

In most of his famous classic songs, the evergreen hero Prem Nazir was a regular presence.