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Girish Puthenchery
Born	(1961-05-01)1 May 1961 Puthenchery, Ulliyeri Village, Balussery, Kozhikode District, Kerala
Died	10 February 2010(2010-02-10) (aged 48) Kozhikode, Kerala
Resting place	Mavoor Road Crematorium, Kozhikode
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	Govt Arts and Science College Meenchantha
Occupations	Lyricist Poet Author Scriptwriter Composer
Years active	1989–2010
Works	Filmography
Spouse	Beena ​(m. 1988)​
Children	Jitin Puthenchery Din Nath Puthenchery
Awards	Kerala State Film Award Asianet Film Award Kerala Film Critics Association Award Filmfare Award Mathrubhumi Literary Award Vanitha Film Award Film Arts Club Cochin Award Medimix Award Travancore Club Award

Girish Puthenchery was a noted Malayalam lyricist, poet,Scriptwriter and screenwriter best known for his significant contributions as a lyricist in Malayalam cinema.He was often hailed as the aristocratic lyricist of Malayalam and was admired for his unique and distinctive writing style. He also served as the director of Indian Performance Rights Society's Malayalam division (I.P.R.S) and was a member of the governing councils of both Kerala Kalamandalam and the Kerala Lalithakala Academy. He made his debut with the film Enquiry in 1989 .He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist seven times. He also holds the record for writing the highest number of songs in the Malayalam film industry in the shortest period of time. He died on 10 February 2010 at a private hospital in Kozhikode Due to a severe brain hemorrhage

Life and career

Personal life

Girish was born to Pulikkool Krishna Panicker and Meenakshi Amma in Puthenchery, near Ulliyeri village in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. His father was an astrologer and Ayurvedic practitioner, while his mother was a Carnatic musician. Girish learned the fundamentals of music from his mother and acquired knowledge of Sanskrit from his father. He completed his primary education at GLP School in Puthenchery, AUP School in Modakkallur, and Palora HSS in Ulliyeri. Afterward, he pursued a degree in literature at the Govt arts and science college, Meenchantha.

From a very young age, Girish was drawn to the language and literature of malayalam at the age of 14, his first poem, titled Mochanam (ml: മോചനം), was published in a weekly magazine.During his childhood, he was an active member of Balasangam.Later, he became a noted artist of the Chenthara Arts Club (a cultural club located in Puthenchery) where he wrote and directed many dramas and songs alongside his brother Mohanan Puthenchery and other locals.

He is married to Beena and they have two children, Jitin Puthenchery and Din nath Puthenchery. His elder son Jithin started off as an assistant director, working on films Breaking News, Money Rathnam, Rock On 2 and Tharangam. Jithin managed to land his first major acting gig after writer director Shankar Ramakrishnan organised an acting camp to select actors for Pathinettam Padi. Jithin also played major roles in the films include Edakkad Battalion, Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal. His younger son Din Nath started his career as a lyricist and copywriter who has penned many songs for Malayalam films including Meow Meow Karimpoocha, Matinee, Aasha Black, Money Ratnam, Gunday, Chennai Koottam, Seconds, Moonu Wickettinu 365 Runs, Olappeeppi, Mangalyam Thanthunanena, and is currently working as an assistant director in Malayalam film industry, most recently on the movie Trance.

Before entering the Malayalam film industry, Girish worked as a collection agent at the Kozhikode RTO office and as a copywriter at All India Radio, Kozhikode. During this time, he continued to write songs and Lalitha Ganams for popular cassette recording companies, including Akashvani, HMV, Magnasounds, and Tharangini. He also penned many hit songs for Doordarshan and Asianet.

Film career

In 1989, Malayalam film director Vijayan Karote introduced Girish to the Malayalam film industry. Girish wrote the lyrics and screenplay for Karote's movie Bhramarakashassu, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the film's initial release was delayed. During the same year, Girish was given the opportunity to write songs for another film, Enquiry, directed by U.V. Raveendranath with Rajamani as the music composer. Through this film, Girish's debut song, "Janmantharangalil," was released. However, the song did not gain significant popularity.

Later, director Ranjith enlisted Girish to write the screenplay for the film Georgootty C/O Georgootty, which marked Girish's transition into lyrics writing. Ranjith's recommendation led to Girish's opportunity to write songs for director Jayaraj's movie Johnnie Walker, which became a breakthrough for him. The track "Shanthamee Rathriyil" from the film became iconic and earned Girish critical acclaim, solidifying his place in the Malayalam film industry. He is also one of the most honored lyricists, having won the Kerala State Award for Best Lyricist seven times.

Other works

In addition to writing lyrics, Girish has written screenplays for several films, including Brahmarakshassu, Pallavur Devanarayanan, Vadakkumnadhan, Kinnaripuzhayoram, and the story for Meleparambil Aanveedu, Adivaram, Ikkareyanente Manasam, Oro Viliyum Kathorthu, and Kerala House Udan Vilpanakku. Girish has also published two poetry collections and composed music for a devotional album. Additionally, he was scripting a film titled Raman Police, in which Mohanlal was expected to play the lead role.

Filmography

Death

Girish was a chronic diabetic and hypertensive patient. He was admitted to MIMS Hospital near his home on 6 February 2010 after suffering a massive stroke. At the time, he was writing a eulogy for the popular actor and director Cochin Haneefa, who had died four days earlier. Girish slipped into a coma soon after arriving at the hospital. He underwent two surgeries, but his condition did not improve, and he suffered a brain hemorrhage, dying at the hospital on 10 February 2010, at the age of 48. He was cremated with full state honors at the Mavoor Road crematorium the following day.

Awards

References

1. ^ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (11 February 2010). "Prolific lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery passes away". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
2. "Gireesh Puthenchery". malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
3. "18-ാം പടിയില്‍ കലിപ്പ് കാട്ടി കയ്യടി നേടി കലിപ്പൻ ഗിരി; ആരാണെന്നറിയാമോ?". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
4. "ദിന്‍ നാഥ് പുത്തഞ്ചേരി's biography and latest film release news". FilmiBeat (in Malayalam). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
5. "Malayalam lyricist Girish Puthenchery is dead". web.archive.org. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
6. "Gireesh Puthenchery died of brain hemorrhage". oneindia.in. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
7. Hooli, By: Shekhar H. (11 February 2010). "Gireesh Puthenchery died of brain hemorrhage". FilmiBeat. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
8. "Prolific lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery passes away". The Hindu. 11 February 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 February 2023.

External links

• Gireesh Puthenchery at IMDb

• Malayalam-language writers
• Malayalam-language lyricists
• Writers from Kozhikode
• Kerala State Film Award winners
• 1961 births
• 2010 deaths
• Filmfare Awards South winners
• Screenwriters from Kerala
• 20th-century Indian poets
• Poets from Kerala
• 21st-century Indian poets
• Malayalam screenwriters