Girish Puthenchery

{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Girish Puthenchery

| image = Gireesh Puthenchery.jpg

| caption =

| native_name =

| other_names =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1961|05|01}}

| birth_place = Puthenchery, Ulliyeri Village, Kozhikode District, Kerala

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2010|02|10|1961|05|01}}

| death_place = Kozhikode, Kerala

| resting_place = Kozhikode

| education =

| alma_mater = Government College, Meenchantha

| occupation = *Lyricist

| works = Filmography

| spouse = {{marriage|Beena|1988}}

| children = 2, including Jitin Puthenchery

| awards = *Kerala State Film Award

| imagesize =

| yearsactive = 1989–2010

| signature =

}}

Girish Puthenchery (1 May 1961 – 10 February 2010) was an Indian lyricist, poet, scriptwriter and screenwriter, esteemed for his pivotal role as a lyricist in Malayalam cinema. He was often hailed as the aristocratic lyricist of Malayalam and was praised for his unique and distinctive writing style. He also served as the director of Indian Performance Rights Society's Malayalam division (I.P.R.S) and was a member of the governing councils of both Kerala Kalamandalam and the Kerala Lalithakala Academy. He made his debut with the film Enquiry in 1989 .He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist seven times.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=P. K. Ajith |date=11 February 2010 |title=Prolific lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery passes away |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Prolific-lyricist-Gireesh-Puthenchery-passes-away/article16814141.ece |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} He also holds the record for writing the highest number of songs in the Malayalam film industry in the shortest period of time.{{Cite web |title=Gireesh Puthenchery |url=https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=4 |access-date=20 January 2020 |website=malayalachalachithram.com}} He died on 10 February 2010 at a private hospital in Kozhikode Due to a severe brain hemorrhage.

Life and career

= Film career =

In 1989, Malayalam film director Vijayan Karote introduced Girish to the Malayalam film industry. Girish wrote the lyrics and screenplay for Karote's movie Bhramarakashassu, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the film's initial release was delayed. During the same year, Girish got opportunity to write songs for another film, Enquiry, directed by U.V. Raveendranath with Rajamani as the music composer. Through this film, Girish's debut song, "Janmantharangalil," was released. However, the song did not gain significant popularity.

Later, director Ranjith enlisted Girish to write the screenplay for the film Georgootty C/O Georgootty, which marked Girish's transition into lyrics writing. Ranjith's recommendation led to Girish's opportunity to write songs for director Jayaraj's movie Johnnie Walker, which became a breakthrough for him. The track "Shanthamee Rathriyil" from the film became iconic and earned Girish critical acclaim, solidifying his place in the Malayalam film industry. He is also one of the most honored lyricists, having won the Kerala State Award for Best Lyricist seven times.

= Other works =

In addition to writing lyrics, Girish has written screenplays for several films, including Brahmarakshassu, Pallavur Devanarayanan, Vadakkumnadhan, Kinnaripuzhayoram, and the story for Meleparambil Aanveedu, Adivaram, Ikkareyanente Manasam, Oro Viliyum Kathorthu, and Kerala House Udan Vilpanakku. Girish has also published two poetry collections and composed music for a devotional album. Additionally, he was scripting a film titled Raman Police, in which Mohanlal was expected to play the lead role.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2010 |title=Malayalam lyricist Girish Puthenchery is dead |url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/news-gossip/regional-/malayalam/Malayalam-lyricist-Girish-Puthenchery-is-dead/articleshow/5560046.cms |access-date=19 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214094844/http://movies.indiatimes.com/news-gossip/regional-/malayalam/Malayalam-lyricist-Girish-Puthenchery-is-dead/articleshow/5560046.cms |archive-date=14 February 2010 }}

Filmography

Death

Girish was a chronic diabetic and hypertensive patient. He was admitted to MIMS Hospital near his home on 6 February 2010 after suffering a massive stroke.{{cite news |date=11 February 2010 |title=Gireesh Puthenchery died of brain hemorrhage |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/top-stories/2010/gireesh-puthenchery-died-110210.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218225125/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/top-stories/2010/gireesh-puthenchery-died-110210.html |archive-date=18 February 2013 |access-date=11 February 2010 |publisher=oneindia.in}} At the time, he was writing a eulogy for the popular actor and director Cochin Haneefa, who had died four days earlier. Girish slipped into a coma soon after arriving at the hospital. He underwent two surgeries, but his condition did not improve, and he suffered a brain hemorrhage, dying at the hospital on 10 February 2010, at the age of 48.{{Cite web |last=Hooli |first=Shekhar H. |date=11 February 2010 |title=Gireesh Puthenchery died of brain hemorrhage |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2010/gireesh-puthenchery-died-110210.html |access-date=28 January 2020 |website=FilmiBeat |language=en}} He was cremated with full state honors at the Mavoor Road crematorium the following day.{{Cite news |date=11 February 2010 |title=Prolific lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery passes away |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Prolific-lyricist-Gireesh-Puthenchery-passes-away/article16814141.ece |access-date=8 February 2023 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}