S.P. Venkatesh: the composer who gave Malayalam cinema some of its enduring melodies
Though he had worked in Tamil, Kannada and Bengali, S.P. Venkatesh reserved his best for Malayalam cinema
Updated - February 03, 2026 09:11 pm IST - KOZHIKODE
S.P. Venkatesh | Photo Credit: Instagram/ @sp_venkatesh_musicdirector
S.P. Venkatesh, who died in Chennai on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) aged 70, was a music composer who reserved his best for Malayalam cinema. He also worked in Tamil, Kannada, and Bengali, but he will be remembered more for the fine work he did in Malayalam.
Several songs that he composed for Malayalam movies in the 1980s and 90s, when melody still reigned in film music, continue to be popular. With hits like Valkannezhuthiya makara nilavil (Paithrukam), Kilukil pambaram (Kilukkam), Manikyakkuyile (Thudarkatha), Shanthamee rathriyil (Johnnie Walker), Pathiraakkili (Kizhakkan Pathrose), Thamarakkannanurangenam (Valsalyam), Pavizhamalli poovurangi (Vazhiyorakazchakal), Kanaka nilave (Kauravar), Kunjikkiliye koodevide (Indrajaalam), Manjum madhumariyum (Puthiya Karukkal), Onnuriyadan (Soubhagyam), Thalirvettilayundo (Dhruvam), Nilave mayumo (Minnaram), Palnilavinum (Kabooliwala), Ezhimala poonchola (Spadikam), and Punchavayalu koyyan (Nair Saab), he established himself as a composer at the time when bigger names like Johnson, Raveendran, and Ouseppachan were very much around.
The first Malayalam film he tuned songs for was Rajavinte Makan (1986), which turned Mohanlal into a superstar. Thampi Kannanthanam’s film was a big hit. As was the song, Vinnile gandharava, rendered by Unni Menon.
Venkatesh went on to build that bright start, composing one popular song after another. Among his finest works was for director Jayaraj’s film Paithrukam, for which he won the 1993 Kerala State Film Award for the best music director. Venkatesh also excelled as a composer of background score in films.
When it came to background music, he was, in fact, one of the most sought-after composers in Malayalam cinema and was a favourite of directors like Joshiy and Priyadarshan. His notable background scores include Devasuram, Kilukkam, Hitler, Dhruvam, Johnnie Walker, and Kauravar.
He was one of those music directors who came to Malayalam cinema with little or no knowledge of the language but contributed greatly with their melodies, like Vidyasagar, Ravi Bombay, and Salil Choudhury. And like them, Venkatesh proved melody knew no language, though it is doubtful if he received as much recognition he deserved.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said in a condolence message that Venkatesh’s music could appeal to different generations. “There is something about his music that would make us go back to his songs,” he said.
CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan said Venkatesh would live forever through the songs he composed. “The Malayali will always remember him through songs like Shanthamee rathriyil.”
Published - February 03, 2026 02:23 pm IST
