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Johnson (composer)

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Johnson
ജോൺസൺ
Background information
GenresFilm score, world music
Occupation(s)Composer, music director, instrumentalist, singer
Instrument(s)Harmonium, guitar
Years active1978–present

Johnson is an Indian film score composer and music director who has given music to some of the most important motion pictures of Malayalam cinema, including those for Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, Vadakkunokkiyantram, Perumthachan, Amaram, Manichitrathazhu, Njan Gandharvan, Ponthan Mada, and Bhoothakkannadi. He is noted for his lyrical and expressive melodies together with simple but rich tonal compositions of thematic music. Johnson is a recipient of National Film Awards twice and Kerala State Film Awards five times.

He started his career as an assistant to G. Devarajan in 1970s,[1] and debuted as an independent composer in late seventies with Aaravam.[2] He was a recurrent collaborator for directors Padmarajan, Bharathan, Sathyan Anthikkad, T. V. Chandran, Kamal, Lohithadas, Balachandra Menon and Mohan.[2] He has composed music for more than 300 Malayalam films, the most by any composer except for Devarajan.[2]

Early life and family

Johnson was born in a musically affluent Christian family in Nellikkunnu, Thrissur, Kerala, on 26 March 1953. His father was a Bank employee. Johnson was a singer in the choir of Nellikkunnu St. Sebastain's Church. He obtained training in guitar and harmonium from his colleagues during this early periods itself. He used to sing in youth festivals and musical shows and joined the orchestra team of some local troupes and played harmonium in many concerts. He also used to sing in the female voice in ganamelas(a stage show where film songs are sung by local or proffessional artists). Johnson once in an interview recalled that his remuneration was just Rs. 10 per show during this time.

In 1968, Johnson and his friends formed a club named Voice of Thrissur. Johnson was the main instrumentalist in the club where he played wide varieties of instruments - guitar, harmonium, flute, drums and violin. Within a few years, the club became one of the most sought after musical troups in Kerala, and had more than fifty members. This club used to give accompaniment music to playback singers Jayachandran and Madhuri in their musical shows. It was Jayachandran who introduced Johnson to G. Devarajan, one of the most prolific composers of South Indian cinema then. Devarajan literally adopted Johnson and brought him to Chennai in 1974. Johnson bought an accordion, during this period, from R. K. Shekhar (A. R. Rahman's father), and began assisting Devarajan in filmscoring and composing. The "Johnson effect" can be easily noted in Devarajan's songs and film scores of this period.

Johnson is married to Rani Johnson and has two children, Shan and Renn.

Film scoring and soundtracks

Johnson began his independent career by composing the film scores of Bharathan's Aaravam (1978), Thakara (1980) and Chamaram (1980). He composed his first soundtracks for the film Inaye Thedi, debut film of director turned still photographer Antony Eastman and actress Silk Smitha. It was Devarajan himself, who suggested Johnson to the director. Then came Bharathan's Parvathi and Balachandra Menon's Premageethangal. Premageethangal was a notable success with four of its songs - "Swapnam Verumoru Swapnam", "Nee Nirayoo Jeevanil", "Muthum Mudipponnum" and "Kalakalamozhi" attaining cult status.

He came to prominence through his collaboration with Malayalam author and director Padmarajan. Koodevide was their first venture, which had one of the most famous songs of Johnson "Aadivaa Kaatte", a pathbreaking song in Malayalam music history. It was one of the first songs in Malayalam to have a grant orchestral score and the song was born out of Padmarajan's need for a western song for his innovative film. Song composition took place in Woodland's Hotel, Chennai. Another notable feature of this song was the lyrics by O. N. V. Kurup, who for the first time wrote lyrics for a pre-composed song. Johnson worked for 17 films with Padmarajan, including his last film Njan Gandharvan. This productive collaboration saw the detailed screenplay and cinematography of Padmarajan become a fertile ground for expressive musical narration and thematic scores for Johnson. This is seen in some of the greatest motion pictures of Malayalam cinema, like Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986), Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam (1987), Nombarathipoovu (1987) and Perumthachan (1990). Another notable collaboration of Johnson was with director Sathyan Anthikkad, with whom he associated in almost 25 films. He was able to provide some of his most popular songs with Anthikkad and this combo is widely accepted to be one of the greatest director-composer collaborations in Malayalam cinema. Acclaimed Malayalam director Bharathan also collabrated with him in multiple films including Parvathy, Palangal, Ormakkayi, Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Ente Upasana, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, Ozhivukalam, Malootty, Chamayam and Churam. His major other collaborations with directors include Mohan (Oru Katha Oru Nunakkatha, Sakshyam, Pakshe and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu), Sibi Malayil (Kireedam, Chenkol, Dasaratham and Nee Varuvolam), Sreenivasan (Vadakkunokkiyantram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala), Lohithadas (Bhoothakkannadi and Arayannangalude Veedu), Kamal (Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal, Shubhayathra, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu and Paavam Paavam Rajakumaran), and Balachandra Menon (Shesham Kazhchayil, Premageethangal, Kilukilukkam and Kelkatha Shabdam).

He is also noted for his collaboration with the Malayalam lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. Their association began in 1989 with Sathyan Anthikkad's social satire Varavelpu. Most of Jonhnson's notable works came in late eighties and early nineties. In 1991, he scored a record number of 31 films, including 29 with Kaithapram. Johnson won National awards for two consecutive years. He won his first National Award in 1994 for the motion picture Ponthan Mada (1993). The next year he got his second award for Sukrutham. Both the awards were for the background score in films.

After an extremely successful career of more than a decade, Johnson took a sabattical from film scoring by the end of nineties. The quality and quantity of his works began perishing during this time. By the beginning of 2000s, he didn't sign any new projects that even his most noted collaborator Sathyan Anthikkad had to find a new composer. In 2004, he sang the song "Theekuruvi" from Kangalal Kaidhu Sei, which was composed by A. R. Rahman. Perhaps it is the only song recorded by him for any composer. He returned strongly to the field with Photographer in 2006, which fetched him numerous awards.[3] Currently, Johnson is working on five films simultaneously.

Non-cinematic outputs

Johnson has released four non-film albums. His first album Sneha Deepika was released in 1989 on Tharangini audios. It had nine Christian devotional songs - "Aathma Swaroopa", "Unni Yesu Pirannu", "Manninum Poovinum", "Thumbapoo Polulla", "Bhoomikku Pulakam", "Manassakumengil", "Kulir Choodum", "Arthungal Innoru" and "Vidarnna Punchiri". The featured artists were K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra and Sujatha.[4] His second album Onathappan, a collaboration with M. G. Radhakrishnan and Berny-Ignatius, consisted of nine festival songs. The track "Mundon Paadam" was composed by Johnson, sung by M. G. Sreekumar and had lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala.[5] His third album Nannipoorvam Johnson, consisted of twelve tracks - "Chandanakkavilinnu", "Panineeru Peyyum", "Vasundhare", "Virunnu Vanna", "Prapanjam Sundaram", "Enthe Nee Varathe", "Nilasandhyayil", "Veruthe Onnu", "Ponnazhikkuttu", "Pranayappirave", "Kalindhi", and an introductory speech by Sreenivasan. In 2009, he released his second Christian devotional album entitled Parishudhan. It had eleven tracks - "Vazhiyum Sathyavum Nee Thanne (Vijay Yesudas), "Mullukal Kuthi" (Chithra), "Ariyathe Polum" (G. Venugopal), "Neethimanayavane" (Sujatha), "Traditional song" (Louis), "Mazhayum Veyilum" (Rimi Tomy), "Oru Viral Sparshathal (Sudheep), "Loka Palaka" (Chithra), Neethanthamam (Vijay Yesudas), and "Kannukalil Theliyum" (Manjari).

Music style and impact

His skilful integration of textual rhythm of the lyrics together with rich tonal arrangement, redefined songwriting in Malayalam cinema, since the late 1980s. In his film scores, Johnson combines native South Indian melodic patterns with the harmonic structure of European classical music and this has attained an expressive form of narration through film score.[6] He composed for about 300 films. Though he has obtained no formal training in classical music, he was able to incorporate the beauty of Carnatic ragas in his songs. Most of his songs were composed on Kalyani raga. He changed the old music concept to the new version. He created a lot of hits based on his back ground music because those were emotionally touching.

Johnson's favourite male singer is K. J. Yesudas, who has recorded many songs for him, while S. Janaki and K. S. Chithra are his favourite female singers. Chithra had some of her most noted songs with Johnson.[7]

Johnson is fondly called Johnson Master (Johnson Mashu) by Malayalee audiences. He is affectionately described as the "John Williams of Malayalam cinema", after the Hollywood composer John Williams.[6]

Awards

Johnson won the National Film Award for Best Background Score for the films Ponthan Mada (1994) and Sukrutham (1995).[8] Johnson is the only musician to get this rarely given award twice. He was the first Malayalee music composer to receive an award in music category and is also the only Malayalee music director who received two national awards in music category. He has received three Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director, for the films Ormakkayi (1982), Vadakkunokkiyantram and Mazhavil Kavadi (1989), and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu (1999). He was awarded the Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music for the films Sadayam (1992) and Sallapam (1996). He has thus received five Kerala State Film Awards in music category, an achievement he shares with Devarajan. He has received the Kerala Film Critics Awards four times, the most recent in 2008 for Gulmohar. In 2007, he won the Mathruboomi Award for Best Music Director for Photographer (2006).[9] He won the Mullasserry Raju Music Award for the song "Enthe Kannanu Karuppu Niram", also from the same film. In addition, he has received numerous other awards and nominations including Devarajan Master Memorial Award and Raveendran Master Memorial Award.[10] In addition, he has received numerous other awards and nominations including Devarajan Master Memorial Award and Raveendran Master Memorial Award.

Partial discography

Original scores and soundtracks

Year Album Year Album
1980 Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal 1981 Premageethangal, Oridathoru Phayalwan, Inaye Thedi, Raktham, Chaatta, Parvathi
1982 Football, Sooryan, Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam, Kelkatha Shabdam, Palangal, Kilukilukkam, Swarna Gopuram, Ithu Njangalude Kadha, Ormakkayi, Thuranna Jail 1983 Koodevide, Shesham Kaazhchayil, Kolakomban, Onnu Chirikkoo, Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Naseema, Thamburu, Thavalam, Ivide Thudangunnu
1984 Parannu Parannu Parannu, Sandarbham, Ente Upasana, Swanthamevide Bandhamevide 1985 Akkacheede Kunjivava, Nerariyum Nerathu, Oru Kudakkeezhil, Makan Ente Makan, Kadha Ithu Vare, Mounanombaram, Upaharam, Sannaham, Jwalanam, Oduvil Kittiya Vartha, Aa Neram Alpa Dooram, Ozhivukalam
1986 Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha, Neram Pularumpol, Akalangalil, Kariyila Kattu Pole, Ice Cream, Malamukalile Daivam, Ente Entethumathram, Thidambu 1987 Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, Sruthi, Athinumappuram, Ithente Needhi, Arinjo Ariyatheyo, Onnam Manam Poomanam, Archana Pookkal, Kathirippinte Thudakkam
1988 Aparan, Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Isabella 1989 Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal, Varavelpu, Varnatheru, Radham, Nerunnu Nanmakal, Lal Americayil, Kireedam, Artham, Dasaratham, Vadakkunokkiyantram, Mazhavilkavadi, Pradeshika Varthakal, Pandu Pandoru Desathu
1990 Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan, Malootty, Paavakkoothu, Varthamanakaalam, Muppathi Randam Naal, Shubhayathra, Sunday 7 PM, Sandram, Dr. Pasupathy, Kalikkalam, Gajakesariyogam, Rajavazhcha, Kouthuka Vaarthakal, Ee Kanni Koodi, Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum, Niyamam Endu Cheyyum, Orukkam, Thalayanamanthram, Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran, Kaattukuthira, Sasneham, Mridula, Mukham, Ananthanum Appukkuttanum Anayundu, Khalasi 1991 Kakka Thollayiram, Sundari Kakka, Nettipattam, Beli, Chanchaattam, Perunthachan, Kankettu, Ezhunnaallathu, Mimics Parade, Athiradhan, Arangu, Kanal Kaattu, Innathe Program, Karpoora Deepam, Aanaval Mothiram, Sandhesam, Apoorvam Chilar, Ennum Nanmakal, Njaan Gandharvan, Nagarathil Samsaaravishayam, Cheppukilukkana Changaathi, Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu
1992 My Dear Muthachan, Thalasthanam, Kunukkkitta Kozhi, Mahanagaram, Kasargode Khadarbhai, Snehasaagaram, Oottyppattanam, Aadharam, Maanthrika Cheppu, Ezharapponnana, Savidham, Kudumba Sametham, Neelakkurukkan, Sadayam, Poochaikkaru Manikettum, Aayaram Gayaram, Ambathu Lakshavum Maruthi Carum 1993 Addheham Enna Iddheham, Golanthara Vartha, Samooham, Ghoshayaathra, Ente Sreekuttiku, Maanavam, Samaagamam, Chenkol, Agneyam, O' Faby, Meleparambil Aanveedu, Chamayam, Naaraayam, Thalamura, Paamaram
1994 CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed., Rajadhaani, Pakshe, Ponthan Mada, The City, Kudumba Visesham, Sandanagopaalam, Manathe Vellitheru, Bhagyavan, Chakoram, Pingami, Malappuram Haji Mahanaaya Joji, Kunjikkili, Leader 1995 Ezharakuttam, Saadaram, Ormakal Undaayirikkanam, Kaattile Thadi Thevarude Aana, Mangalam Veettil Manaseswari Gupta, Sunny Scooter, Sakshyam, Thovala Pookkal
1996 Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, Kanchanam, Thooval Kottaram, Udhyanapalakan, Sallapam, Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan, Kalyana Sougandhikam 1997 Irattakuttikalude Achan, Killikurisiyile Kudumbhamela, Adivaaram, Bhoothakannadi, Manthra Mothiram, Kudamaattam, Sankeerthanam Pole, Guru Sishyan, Oral Mathram, Itha Oru Snehagadha, Churam, Maanasam, Nee Varuvolam, Snehasindhooram, Rishyasringan, Athyunnathangalil Koodaram Panithavar, Vachalam, Sammanam
1998 Aayushmaanbhava, Manjukaalavum Kazhinju, Vismayam, Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala, Ormacheppu, Kusrithikuruppu, Thirakalkkappuram, Mangamma 1999 Angane Oru Avadikkalathu, Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal
2000 Swayamvara Pandhal, Susanna, Ee Mazha Thenmazha, Oru Cheru Punchiri 2001 Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka, Uthaman, The Gift of God, Police Academy
2002 Yathrakarude Sradhakku, Danny, Stop Violence, Suvarna Mohangal 2003 Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam
2006 Kisan, Photographer 2007 AKG
2008 Gulmohar 2009 Vellathooval
2011 Nadakame Ulakam, Anandhan Pillai Adhava Arjunan Pillai, Navagatharkku Swagatham, Bharyamar Adharikkapedunnu, Khilafath

Original scores

The following lists out the films in which Johnson composed the background score but not songs. Template:Multicol

  • Aakaashakottayile Sulthaan
  • Aalorungi Arangorungi
  • Aaraante Mulla Kochumulla
  • Aaravam
  • Aaryan
  • Arabikkadal
  • Abhimanyu
  • Adimachangala
  • Agnisharam
  • Ambada Njaane
  • Amaram
  • Amrutham
  • Arayannangalude Veed
  • Avidatheppole Ivideyum
  • Bharatham
  • Chamaram
  • Chithram
  • Chakravalam Chuvannappol
  • Chithrathoonukal
  • Dhanam
  • Dheem Tharikidathom
  • Ee Kaikalil
  • Ekantham
  • English Medium
  • Ente Hridayathinte Udama
  • Ente Kaanakkuyil
  • Ithum Oru Jeevitham
  • Iniyum Kurukshethram
  • Kaanaakkinaavu
  • Kaarunyam
  • Kaaryam Nissaaram

Template:Multicol-break

Template:Multicol-break

Template:Multicol-end

Non-film albums

  • Parishudhan (2009)
  • Nannipoorvam Johnson
  • Onathappan
  • Sneha Deepika (1989)

Notable songs

In an interview with Malayala Manorama, Johnson listed the following 13 songs as his favourite songs.

Notes

  1. ^ "Devarajan, a composer who embraced different styles". The Hindu. 16 March 2006. Retrieved 2011-02-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Down melody lane". The Hindu. 4 May 2007. Retrieved 2011-02-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Photographer Synopisis". Nowrunning.com. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  4. ^ deepika&stype=movie&submit=Find+Songs "Sneha Deepika (1989)"
  5. ^ "Onathappan"
  6. ^ a b "Johnson brings an evening of melody to Dubai". Khaleej Times. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-23. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ "Johnson: a versatile composer who hums a retreat note"
  8. ^ P.K.Ajith Kumar (4 August 2006). "Conjuror of tunes". The Hindu. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Mammootty, Padmapriya bags Mathrubhumi awards". Indiaglitz. September 15, 2007. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  10. ^ "A treat for music lovers". The Hindu. 21 September 2007

References

Template:Persondata

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