Girish Puthenchery

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 (1 May 1961 – 10 February 2010) was a noted Malayalam lyricist, poet,Scriptwriter and screenwriter best known for his significant contributions as a lyricist in Malayalam cinema.He was often referred to as the aristocratic lyricist of Malayalam, known for his 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.^[1] He also holds the record for writing the highest number of songs in the Malayalam film industry in the shortest period of time.^[2] He died on 10 February 2010 at a private hospital in Kozhikode Due to a severe brain hemorrhage^[1]

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

Prior to joining the malayalam film industry, He worked as a collection agent in Kozhikode RTO office and copywriter at All India Radio, Kozhikode. At the same time, he continued to write songs and Lalitha Ganams for popular cassette Recording Companies include Akashvani, HMV, Magnasounds and Tharangini and he also penned many hit songs for Dooradarshan and Asianet.

In 1989 malayalam movie Director Vijayan Karote introduced Girish to the malayalam film industry. Girish penned lyrics and screenplay for Vijayan karot's movie named Bhramarakashassu, but due to some reasons the initial release of the film was delayed, at the same year Girish got an opportunity to write songs for another movie named Enquiry which was directed by U.V Raveendranath and with Rajamani as the music composer through this film Girish's first song "Janmantharangalil" released and it was his debut movie, But the songs didn't gain much popularity. After that director Ranjith scripted for the movie Georgootty C/O Georgootty turned Girish to the lyrics writing. Ranjith's recommendation brought him the chance to write songs for director Jayaraj's movie Johnnie Walker which was his breakthrough film, whose track Shanthamee Rathriyil^[5] has become iconic and had brought him critical acclamation, which reflects his career in Malayalam film industry. He was also one of the most honoured lyricists having won the Kerala State Award for best lyricist seven times.^[6]

Besides writing lyrics, Girish had also written the screenplay for the films Brahmarakshassu, Pallavur Devanarayanan, Vadakkumnadhan, and Kinnaripuzhayoram, and the story for Meleparambil Aanveedu, Adivaram, Ikkareyanente Manasam, Oro Viliyum Kathorthu and Kerala House Udan Vilpanakku. Girish has also published two poetry collection.He also composed music for a devotional album. He was also scripting a film by the name of Raman Police, in which Mohanlal was expected to play the lead role.^[7]

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.^[8] 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.^[9] He was cremated with full state honors at the Mavoor Road crematorium the following day.^[10]

• Gireesh Puthenchery at IMDb