Ramesh Narayan

Ramesh Narayan
Ramesh Narayan
	Ramesh Narayan in 2015
Background information
Born	3 November 1959 (age 65); Kuthuparamba, Kannur, Kerala India
Occupations	Indian Classical Singer; Music Composer; Music Director; Music Producer;
Years active	1972–present
Website	rameshnarayan.com
	Musical career
Genres	Filmi music; Indian classical; World music;
Instruments	Vocals; Sitar; Guitar; Harmonium;
Labels	PMN Sangeet Gurukul; IME; Arty Entertainments;

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

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
2010	Thathwamasi
2009	Katha Parayum Theruvoram
2009	Orkkuka Vallappozhum
2008	Manjadikuru
2008	Raman
2007	Paradesi
2006	Rathri Mazha	Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director
2006	Arunam
2005	Saira	Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music
	Sheelabathi
	Makalkku
2004	Kottaaram Vaidyan
2003	Saphalam
2003	Anyar
2001	Jeevan Masai
	Mookkuthi
	Meghamalhar
2000	Thottam
1999	Garshom
1993	Magrib

Awards and achievements

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award 2012^[6]

Kerala State Film Awards:

2005 – Best Background Score - Saira
2006 – Best Music Director - Rathri Mazha
2014 – Best Music Director - White Boys
2015 – Best Music Director - Edavapathy & Ennu Ninte Moideen

Controversy

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]