Mollywood Loses a Musical Stalwart
Veteran music director SP Venkatesh , a towering figure in Malayalam cinema (Mollywood) , passed away at the age of 70 following a cardiac arrest. He breathed his last at his residence in Chennai , leaving behind a profound musical legacy that shaped some of the most memorable films of the late 1980s and 1990s.
Renowned for his emotionally rich melodies and powerful background scores, Venkatesh’s music became synonymous with an era of Malayalam cinema.
From Guitarist to Celebrated Composer
SP Venkatesh began his journey in cinema in 1971 as a guitarist before gradually transitioning into film music composition. From 1975 , he worked as an assistant music director in Kannada cinema , learning the craft under senior composers, including Raghavan Master .
His first major break as an independent composer came with the Telugu film Prema Yuddham in 1981 . However, it was Malayalam cinema that would become the primary canvas for his creative brilliance.
Shaping the Golden Phase of Malayalam Cinema
Venkatesh rose to prominence with Rajavinte Makan , starring Mohanlal , which firmly established him as a leading composer.
He went on to collaborate closely with celebrated filmmakers such as Dennis Joseph , Thampi Kannanthanam , and Joshiy , contributing to an iconic body of work that includes:
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Kilukkam
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Minnaram
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Dhruvam
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Valsalyam
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Paithrukam
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Sphadikam
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Mannar Mathai Speaking
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Manthrikam
Award-Winning Music and Iconic Background Scores
In 1993 , SP Venkatesh won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Music Director for Paithrukam and Janam .
Beyond songs, his background scores achieved cult status, particularly in films such as:
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Devasuram
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Mahayanam
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No. 20 Madras Mail
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Appu
His scores were noted for their intensity, emotional depth, and seamless integration with cinematic narrative.
Important Facts for Exams
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Kerala State Film Awards are among India’s oldest state-level film honours
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Month: Current Affairs - February 04, 2026
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