K. Raghavan

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Indian musical artist

title: "K. Raghavan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["malayalam-film-score-composers", "kerala-state-film-award-winners", "people-from-thalassery", "recipients-of-the-padma-shri-in-arts", "1913-births", "2013-deaths", "20th-century-indian-composers", "film-musicians-from-kerala", "21st-century-indian-composers", "indian-male-film-score-composers", "20th-century-indian-male-singers", "21st-century-indian-male-singers", "male-carnatic-singers", "carnatic-singers", "j.-c.-daniel-award-winners", "recipients-of-the-kerala-sangeetha-nataka-akademi-fellowship", "kerala-film-critics-awards-winners"] description: "Indian musical artist" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Raghavan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Indian musical artist ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]

FieldValue
nameK. Raghavan
imageK.raghavan.JPG
landscape
backgroundnon_vocal_instrumentalist
birth_nameKrishnan Raghavan
aliasRaghavan Master
birth_date
birth_placeTellicherry, Malabar district, British India
{present-day Thalassery, Kannur district, Kerala, India
death_date
death_placeThalassery, Kerala, India
genreIndian classical, light music, mappila songs
occupationMusician, composer
instrumentTabla, keyboards, thambura, drums, vocals
years_active1950 - 2013
labelGramophone Company India
website
::

| name = K. Raghavan | image = K.raghavan.JPG | image_size = | landscape = | alt = | caption = | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | birth_name = Krishnan Raghavan | native_name = | native_name_lang = | alias = Raghavan Master | birth_date = | birth_place = Tellicherry, Malabar district, British India {present-day Thalassery, Kannur district, Kerala, India | origin = | death_date = | death_place = Thalassery, Kerala, India | genre = Indian classical, light music, mappila songs | occupation = Musician, composer | instrument = Tabla, keyboards, thambura, drums, vocals | years_active = 1950 - 2013 | label = Gramophone Company India | website =

Krishnan Raghavan (2 December 1913 – 19 October 2013), also known as Raghavan Master, was an Indian music composer primarily known for his work in Malayalam cinema and as a carnatic vocalist. Along with G. Devarajan, V. Dakshinamoorthy and Baburaj, Raghavan is credited with contributing to the renaissance of Malayalam film music, pioneering the creation of Malayalam film songs with their own distinct tunes and styles. Before him, Malayalam film songs often imitated popular Hindi and Tamil film songs and old classical kritis. Raghavan helped establish a new direction and identity for Malayalam film music. He composed around 400 songs in Malayalam cinema over nearly four decades.{{cite news |work = The Hindu |title = Evergreen compositions |url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/02/09/stories/2007020900950300.htm |date = 9 February 2007 |access-date = 23 July 2009 |url-status = usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090808064055/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/02/09/stories/2007020900950300.htm |archive-date = 8 August 2009 |df = dmy-all

Early life

K. Raghavan was born in Tellicherry near Kannur in the erstwhile Madras Presidency (present-day Kerala) on 2 December 1913, to folk singer M. Krishnan and Narayani. He began studying classical music in his childhood and also played football. He began his professional career as a tambura player in All India Radio, Madras and in 1950, he was transferred to Calicut, where he became involved with film artists.

Career

Raghavan initiated a new trend in Malayalam film music with the release of the 1954 movie Neelakuyil. Renowned lyricist and Raghavan's friend P. Bhaskaran penned the songs in the film.Neelakkuyil Raghavan also sang one of the songs.Neelakkuyil The song Kayalarikathu valayerinjappol became an instant hit.{{cite news |work = The Hindu |title = CHORDS AND NOTES |url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/02/20/stories/2006022001330400.htm |date = 20 February 2006 |access-date = 23 July 2009 |url-status = usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090806031636/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/02/20/stories/2006022001330400.htm |archive-date = 6 August 2009 |df = dmy-all

Music career

During his career spanning over four decades, he scored music for more than sixty Malayalam films, and many of his compositions remain classics. Raghavan brought folk elements into Malayalam film music, and his melodies replaced the imitation of popular Hindi tunes that prevailed at the time. He also composed songs for plays by groups such as the Kerala People's Arts Club and All India Radio. Most of his songs were written by P. Bhaskaran, and he introduced many new voices to Malayalam film music, including K. J. Yesudas, P. Jayachandran, P.Susheela, Mehboob, K. P. Brahmanandan, M. Balamuralikrishna, M. L. Vasanthakumari, A. P. Komala, Gayathri Srikrishnan, Santha P. Nair, A. M. Rajah, K. P. Udayabhanu, M.G. Radhakrishnan, P. B. Sreenivas, Vani Jayaram, Jikki, V. T. Murali, M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra and Sujatha Mohan.

As a musician

  • First Movie Pullimaan (1951)
  • Number of Movies 65
  • Number of Songs 405
  • State Awards 2

Songs

  • *Kayalarikathu... *
  • *Ellarum chollanu... *
  • Nazhiyuripalu kondu...
  • *Hrudaythin romancham... *
  • *Ekantha Kaamuka Ninte Manoratham ... *
  • *Shyamasundara pushpame... *
  • *Aattinakkareyakkare... *
  • Poornendumukhiyodambalathil...
  • *Nalikerathinte nattilenikkoru... *
  • *Manjani poonilavil... *
  • *Kathu sookshichoru... *
  • *Appozhe paranjille... *
  • *Manathe Mazhamukil malakale... *
  • *Anuragakkalariyil angathinu vannavale... *
  • *Pambukalkku maalamundu... * (KPAC drama song)
  • *Thalayku meethe... * (KPAC drama song)

Personal life

Raghavan was married to Yashoda and had five children: three daughters and two sons. He died at the age of 99 on 19 October 2013 in Thalassery. His younger brother, Lakshmanan, predeceased him.

Awards

Civilian Awards by Govt. of India

Kerala State Film Awards

Other awards

References

References

  1. (20 October 2013). "Raghavan Master is no more, his songs are forever". Times of India.
  2. (19 October 2013). "Music director Raghavan passes away". The Hindu.
  3. [http://www.malayalasangeetham.info/Composers/K_Raghavan.html MSI Musician Index – K. Raghavan]
  4. link. (22 October 2013)
  5. (2015). "Padma Awards". Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
  6. "STATE FILM AWARDS 1969 – 2008". The Information & Public Relations Department of Kerala.
  7. "Light Music". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala.
  8. "MG Radhakrishnan Award to Raghavan master".

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malayalam-film-score-composerskerala-state-film-award-winnerspeople-from-thalasseryrecipients-of-the-padma-shri-in-arts1913-births2013-deaths20th-century-indian-composersfilm-musicians-from-kerala21st-century-indian-composersindian-male-film-score-composers20th-century-indian-male-singers21st-century-indian-male-singersmale-carnatic-singerscarnatic-singersj.-c.-daniel-award-winnersrecipients-of-the-kerala-sangeetha-nataka-akademi-fellowshipkerala-film-critics-awards-winners