Kamukara Purushothaman

Kamukara Purushothaman
Born December 4, 1930
Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari, India
Died May 26, 1995 (aged 64)
Occupation Playback singer

Kamukara Purushothaman (4 December 1930 – 26 May 1995) was an Indian singer. He was a noted playback singer in Malayalam films during its early years.[1]

Early life

Kamukara Purushothaman, popularly known as Kamukara, was born on 4 December 1930 in Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district of present day Tamil Nadu.[2] He started learning music from an early age under Karnatic music guru, Thiruvattar Arumugham Pillai Bhagavathar,[3] along with his sister, Leela Omchery, a known singer and musicologist.[4] His career debut was at the local temple, Aadi Keshava Temple, Thiruvattar. He started music concerts by the age of 15 and became an artist at Trivandrum Broadcasting Corporation by the age of 20 and became active in All India Radio music programmes.

Career

His first recording for a film was in 1953 for the Malayalam film, Ponkathir, a Merryland Studio production to start a film career which spanned over 20 years and 68 Malayalam (total 125) films.[5] He was the leading male singer in Malayalam films during the 50s and 60s till K.J. Yesudas appeared on the scene. Two of his soulfully rendered songs, "Aathmavidyalayame" for the film Harishchandra[6] and "Ekanthathayude" for Bhargavi Nilayam are widely considered to be among the all time great songs of Malayalam film music.

Later in his career, Kamukara Purushothaman, along with K. P. Udayabhanu and other senior singers formed a music troupe by name Old is Gold and performed stage programs all over India and abroad.

Death

He died on 26 May 1995 after suffering from a massive heart attack while on a journey to Thiruvananthapuram. He was aged 64 at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren.[7]

Popular songs

Song Film
Aathmavidyalayame Harishchandra
Eeswara chintha ithonne manujanu Bhakta Kuchela
Nale Nale ennayittum Bhagavane Bhakta Kuchela
Ganga Yamuna Hotel Highrange
Sangeethame Jeevitham Jail Pulli
Osana, Osana Snapaka Yohannan
Mattoru Seethaye Tharavattamma
Ekanthathyude Apara theeram Bhargavi Nilayam
Pancha Varna Thatha Pole Pattu Thoovala
Asoka Vanathile Seethamma Kallichellamma
Marakkan Kazhiyumo Kannur Deluxe
Padachavan Padachappol Kayamkulam Kochunni
Panineer Malarinorithal kozhinjalum Njana Sundari
Thumpappoo peyyana poonilaave Randidangazhi
Poovinu manamilla kinavinu kulirilla Chilamboli
Chandrande prabhayil chandana mazhayil
Poothaliyundo kinave poopanthalundo nilave Indulekha
Mindathathenthanu thathe Njanasundari
Kanninayum kanninayum bandham nischayichu Lady doctor

References

  1. ↑ "::: Kamukara Purushothaman :::". Sangeethasangamam.com. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  2. ↑ Babu, Sathish (2012-05-22). "Prominent Indian Personalities: Kamukara Purushothaman". Prominentindianpersonalities.blogspot.ae. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  3. ↑ "Krishna's ePages: Eminent Personalities : Thiruvattar Arumugam Pillai Bhagavathar". Krishnasepages.blogspot.ae. 2011-10-18. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  4. ↑ "PROF. DR. LEELA OMCHERY | Musician, Musicologist and Author". Leelaomchery.org. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  5. ↑ "Kamukara". Malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  6. ↑ "Songs from Harischandra (1955) | OLD MALAYALAM CINEMA". Oldmalayalamcinema.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  7. ↑ http://www.m3db.com/node/887

External links