Noted Malayalam lyricist and poet, S Ramesan Nair passed away at the age of 73 in Kochi. Ramesan Nair, who reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus, was getting treatment at a private hospital in Kochi. He passed away on June 18. He was also under treatment for cancer. Ramesan Nair is the lyricist of many popular Malayalam films songs. Some of his popular songs include ‘Neeyen Kinaavo’ from Hello My Dear Wrong Number, ‘Gurucharanam’ from Guru, ‘Puthumazhayayi vaanu ni’ from Aakaashaganga, and the songs in Aniyathipravu. The other popular films he wrote songs for are Puthukkottayile Puthumanavaalan, Aniyan Baava Chettan Baava, Mayilppeelikkaavu, Sreekrishnapurathu Nakshathrathilakkam, etc.
Born in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, Ramesan Nair’s work was in Malayalam language. He had translated the Thirukkural and Chilapathikaram from Tamil to Malayalam as well. He also wrote ‘Guru pournami’, poem based on the life of Sree Narayana Guru. In 2018, he won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for the work Guru Pournami. In 2010, he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his literary works. He had earlier worked in All India Radio.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled Nair’s death. “His demise is a huge loss to the Malayalam language and literature. His work on Sree Narayana Guru has timeless value,” said Pinarayi Vijayan in a statement. The CM added that Ramesan Nair also made his mark in Malayalam film industry as well as literature.
The Kerala CM also recalled that Ramesan Nair was transferred from All India Radio over political issues, after his political satire drama ‘Shathabhishekam’ became widely popular in Kerala. Following this, Ramesan resigned from his job in AIR, Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Ramesan Nair has written songs for over 70 films in Malayalam between the period 1985 and 2000. He is survived by his wife and son. Ramesan’s son Manu Ramesan is a music director.
Many musicians have also condoled his death. Noted music director Vidyasagar wrote on Facebook, “We have lost another gem; a great poet and a humble human being in our Shri Ramesan Nair. He had recently written one of my songs, maybe his last, about Mother Nature. More a prayer and paying tribute to nature...I fondly recollect our association from the days of 'Chandrannudikkunna Dikkil' till date...My heartfelt condolences to the family. May god give strength to tide these tough times. 'Ashru Anjali’.”
Singer MG Sreekumar said, “My dearest brother, Ramesan nair, great poet passed away. Lots of memories. Really a great legend. May his soul rest in peace.”