History of Malayalam Songs in Films
Kerala, known as God’s own country, is a beautiful Indian state steeped in rich culture and heritage. Malayalam literature has been evolving since the 9th Century CE. Songs have been an indispensable part of Malayalam heritage and if truth be told, Malayalam poetry and lyrics were composed much before prose. Classical Carnatic songs and the more popular songs of Pulluvan Pattu, Mappila Pattu as well as film songs are distinct parts of the repertoire of Malayalam songs.
1948 saw the release of the film ‘Nirmala’ and the inception of Malayalam songs into Indian film music. The popularity of this genre of songs has increased tremendously since then with many cross cultural and even cross industry additions. The inclusion of Malayalam singers, song writers and poets has made this canon of music soulful and elegant. Vimala B. Varma is renowned as the first Malayalam playback singer.
1950’s were an exciting time in the evolution of Malayalam songs. There was no need to lift tunes inspired from other popular vernacular cinema because songs were being perfected in the Malayalam language itself. Great poets and songwriters like Vayalar Rama Varma, also known as the Legend of Malayalam Poetry, added a new zest and innocence to these beautiful songs. Not only were indigenous artists coming forward but singers and songwriters of non Malayali origin were also sharing center stage.
Over the years great doyens of music like Lata Mangaeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, S.P. Balasubramaniam, Bombay Ravi etc. contributed to this blooming industry in their own unique ways. The ‘Golden Age of Malayalam Cinema’ was from the late 1980’s to the early 1990’s, which saw a unique melding of popular and classical music.
Today, Malayalam songs are firmly placed in the well established cushion of Indian cinema music with newcomers and as well as veterans making waves with poignant yet playful tunes.