Admired and famous Malayalam movie rhymester Girish Puthenchery passed away at Kozhikode.He was admitted to the Kozhikode MIMS hospital on Saturday seeking treatment for brain haemorrhage.He was survived by his wife Beena and children Jithin Krishnan and Dinanath.

Beginning his career in the 1989 film “Enquiry”, Girish went on to write lyrics for about 1556 songs in about 328 Malayalam films. His first popular hit songs were from the movie Johny Walker.

Rated on par with legendary lyricist P Bhaskaran and O N V Kurup, Puthenchery won the state award seven times for his lyrics in about 400 films in a over two decade career.

A writer of many memorable as well as nostalgic film songs, Puthenchery has two published anthology of poems to his credit, titled ‘Shadjam’ and ‘Thanichalla’.

Born in 1961 as the son of Pulikkal Krishna Panikkar and Meenakshi Amma in Puthenchery in Kozhikode, Gireesh Puthenchery completed his education from Puthenchery Govt L P School, Modakkalloor A U P School, Palora Secondary School and Kozhikode Govt Arts and Science College. He began writing poems when he was a college student. His professional life as a lyricist started with writing lyrics for different Akashavani stations. His first film song was for a movie called ‘Enquiry’ in 1990.

‘Oru raathri koodi vida vangave’ from the film Summer in Bethlehem, ‘Pinneyum pinneyum aaro kinavinte padi kadannethunna pada niswanam’ from Krishnagudiyil oru Pranayakalathu, ‘Soorya kireedam veenudanju’ from Devasuran, ‘O priye, priye ninakkoru ganam’, from the film Aniyathi Pravu, etc. are a few of his memorable lyrics. His last work was for the film ‘Happy Husbands’.

He bagged the Kerala State Film Award for Best lyricist seven times, viz, Agnidevan in 1995, Krishnagudiyil oru Pranayakalathu in 1997, Punaradhivasam in 1999, Ravanaprabhu in 2001, Nandanam in 2002, Gaurishankaram in 2003 and Kathavaseshan in 2004. He has written songs for more than 300 films with over 1700 songs into his credit.

Also a screen writer, Puthenchery has scripted for three films, viz, Kinnarippuzhayoram, Pallavur Devanarayanan and Vadakkum Nathan. Besides, he has also written story for the film ‘Melepparambil Aann Veedu’.

Puthenchery has also served as a governing council member of the Indian Performance Rights Society (IPRS).

Many eminent persons in the Malayalam cine field regretted in the unfortunate loss.

Gireesh was said to be writing the script for a film called ‘Raman Police’.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards:

• * 2004 - Best Lyricist - Kathavasheshan

• * 2003 - Best Lyricist - Gourisankaram

• * 2002 - Best Lyricist - Nandanam

• * 2001 - Best Lyricist - Ravanaprabhu

• * 1999 - Best Lyricist - Punaradivasam

• * 1997 - Best Lyricist - Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu

• * 1995 - Best Lyricist - Agnidevan