Thrissur, Saturday, August 20, 2011: Hundreds of people including members of the film fraternity, singers and fellow composers paid homage to noted music director Johnson, who passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Thursday.

The chartered Jet airways flight carrying his body reached Nedumbassery airport at 6 pm yesterday and was later brought to Thrissur, sources said. His body has been kept at the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi hall here for the public to pay homage and will be laid to rest at Nellikunnu Sebastian church with full state honours.

Hundreds of songs composed by Johnson have been known for their emotional intensity and mellifluous touch. Apart from film songs, he had also composed scores of devotional songs, especially Christian devotionals.

Johnson had twice won the national award and the Kerala Government’s best music director award five times.

He also made a mark in background music in films and won the national award for the film ‘Ponthanmada’ in that category.

Known as Johnson Master in South Indian film circles, he composed his most popular songs since early 2000 for films like ‘Gulmohar’and’Mazhavilkavadi’. His other notable scores were for the hits ‘Minaminiginte Korunuvattom’ and ‘Kireedom.’

Johnson started his career with Bharathan’s ‘Aravam’ in 1978. Till then he had worked with most of the leading film directors, lyricists, signers and artistes. He also excelled in handling instruments like guitar, drums and accordion.

(News agency inputs)