Ramesh Narayan

Ramesh Narayan
Ramesh Narayan in 2015
Ramesh Narayan in 2015
Background information
Born (1959-11-03) 3 November 1959 (age 65)
Kuthuparamba, Kannur, Kerala India
Occupations
  • Indian Classical Singer
  • Music Composer
  • Music Director
  • Music Producer
Years active1972–present
Websiterameshnarayan.com
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Sitar
  • Guitar
  • Harmonium
Labels

Ramesh Narayan (born 3 November 1959) is an Indian classical vocalist, composer and music producer who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema.[1] Ramesh began his initial training in Carnatic music and later mastered the classical Hindustani style under the renowned Pandit Jasraj.[2]

Ramesh began his career composing score music for documentaries, films and Indian television programs in Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil. He composed and sung the national integration song Saur Mandal Mein Tim Tim[3] in 1996, directed by Jnanpith Award laureate M.T. Vasudevan Nair for Lok Seva Sanchar Parishad. Ramesh's film-scoring career began in the early 1990s with the Malayalam film Magrib. His notable works include Garshom, Meghamalhar, Saira, Makalkku, Rathri Mazha, Paradesi (2007 film), Manjadikuru Adaminte Makan Abu Veettilekkulla Vazhi, Makaramanju, Edavappathy, Ennu Ninte Moideen, Suryakantha etc.

Ramesh Narayan has earned National Film Awards,[4] four Kerala State Film Awards, two Kerala Film Critics Association Awards. He has received the Indian Music Academy Award for popularizing Hindustani classical music in Kerala from the then President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

Ramesh became popular by performing a 36-hour vocal recital as part of celebrating the 100 years of Indian Cinema at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. This performance got him an entry to the Limca Book of Records 2013 for completing the 24 hour raga cycle. In 2023, he was honoured with Kerala Sree Award, third highest civilian award given by the Government of Kerala.[5]

Original scores

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  • All compositions in Malayalam unless otherwise noted
Year Film / Documentary Notes
2022 Siddy
2020 Eelam
Swapnangal Pookkunna Kaadu
Varthamaanam
2019 Kolaambi
2018 Pacha
2017 The Sword Of Liberty
Viswasapoorvam Mansoor
Paathi
Suryakantha Sanskrit
Crossroad (2017 film)
Aaradi
2016 Buddhanum Chaplinum Chirikkunnu
2015 Ennu Ninte Moideen Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
Edavappathy Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
Alif
Kukkiliyar
2014 Ottamandaaram
White Boys Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
Apsaras Tamil
2013 Miss Lekha Tharoor Kaanunnathu
2011 Veettilekkulla Vazhi Imagine India 2011 Awards for Best Music Director
Adaminte Makan Abu
Veeraputhran
Makaramanju
2010 Avan
Thathwamasi
2009 Katha Parayum Theruvoram
Orkkuka Vallappozhum
2008 Manjadikuru
Raman
2007 Paradesi
2006 Rathri Mazha Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
Arunam
2005 Saira Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music
Sheelabathi
Makalkku
2004 Kottaaram Vaidyan
2003 Saphalam
Anyar
2001 Jeevan Masai
Mookkuthi
Meghamalhar
2000 Thottam
1999 Garshom
1993 Magrib

Awards and achievements

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Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award 2012[6]
Kerala State Film Awards:

Controversy

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On 17 July 2024, a video emerged following an incident with actor Asif Ali at the trailer launch of the then upcoming anthology film, Manorathangal. At the event, Asif Ali was supposed to present a memento to Ramesh Narayan, which Ramesh Narayan snubbed.The video of it went viral, leading to widespread criticism and support waves for Asif Ali, and subjecting Ramesh Narayan to cyber trolls. The incident shows Ramesh got his hand to the award from Asif all the while seemingly ignoring the actor. Asif, visibly perplexed by the gesture, remained standing near the musician for a moment before returning to his seat. Ramesh then beckoned filmmaker Jayaraj to make Jayaraj present the memento to him, and demeanour of Ramesh shifted noticeably, smiling and hugging Jayaraj.[7][8][9][10]

On July 18, 2024, Ramesh Narayan issued a public apology regarding the incident, attributing it to unintentional circumstances.[11] Subsequently, on July 19, Asif Ali clarified his stance on the controversy during a press conference. Asif Ali suggested that Narayan's reaction stemmed from personal matters and denied he himself feeling insulted from Narayan's reaction. The actor's public statement also criticised the online harassment directed towards Ramesh Narayan.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Sathyendran, Nita (27 June 2011). "Raga of life". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  2. ^ RNN (12 May 2018). "Ramesh Narayan: My biggest achievement is not any award or accolade, but Pandit Jasraj's discipleship". The Times of India.
  3. ^ "Saur Mandal Mein Tim Tim". Doordarshan National. 1996. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Ramesh Narayan: My biggest achievement is not any award or accolade, but Pandit Jasraj's discipleship". The Times of India. 12 May 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  5. ^ "2023-ലെ കേരള പുരസ്‌കാരങ്ങൾ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു; ടി. പത്മനാഭന് കേരള ജ്യോതി". Mathrubhumi. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Classical Music". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Ramesh Narayan clarifies the incident with Asif Ali, says, 'I don't feel I insulted him"". The Times of India. 16 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Composer Ramesh Narayan reacts after backlash for refusing award from Asif Ali". India Today. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  9. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (16 July 2024). "Musician Ramesh Narayan faces flak for 'insulting' actor Asif Ali". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 July 2024. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ Service, Express News (17 July 2024). "Ramesh Narayan 'snubs' Asif Ali at Kochi event, draws flak". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Viral video: Kerala music director apologises after 'insult' to actor Asif Ali sparks controversy". English.Mathrubhumi. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Actor Asif Ali on Ramesh Narayan and award controversy: Was a misunderstanding". India Today. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
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