Mohammad Sabir Baburaj (3 March 1929 – 7 October 1978) was an Indian music composer. He is often credited with the renaissance of Malayalam film music. Baburaj rendered music for many evergreen Malayalam film songs.
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Biography
Early life
Baburaj was born on 3 March 1929 in Kozhikode. He was the son of Jan Muhammed Khan, a Hindustani musician from West Bengal, and a Malayali mother. His father, who frequently performed in Kerala, abandoned the family during Baburaj's childhood and returned to Kolkata. As a result, Baburaj grew up in financially difficult circumstances and is reported to have sung on trains to earn money.
Music career
Baburaj is noted for incorporating elements of Hindustani music into Malayalam film music. He composed melodies based on Hindustani ragas and adapted them to Malayalam-language lyrics, many of which were written by poets such as P. Bhaskaran and Vayalar Ramavarma.
According to biographical accounts, Baburaj received his earliest exposure to Hindustani music from his father. He later travelled to West Bengal, Mumbai and Sri Lanka, where he continued his musical studies and learned to play the harmonium.
After returning to Kerala, Baburaj faced financial difficulties and reportedly sang in public to earn a living. During this period, he came under the care and support of Kunjumuhammed, a policeman from Kozhikode and a music enthusiast, who recognised his musical talent and encouraged his development.
Baburaj subsequently composed music for Malayalam stage dramas in the Malabar region before entering the film industry. In 1957, he made his debut as a film composer with Minnaminugu, directed by Ramu Kariat. He later collaborated with P. Venu on Udhyogastha (1967), for which he composed songs including "Anuragaganam Pole", "Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha" and "Kalichirimaaratha Penne".
The collaboration between Baburaj, P. Bhaskaran and K. J. Yesudas produced a number of notable Malayalam songs during the 1960s and 1970s. Many of Baburaj's duets were performed by P. Leela, Yesudas and S. Janaki, who also recorded several of his solo compositions. A number of his songs, including "Oru Pushpam Mathramen", have remained popular in Kerala and continue to be performed at public events and musical programmes.
His last recorded song was "Thrikkakkare Theerthakkare", sung by P. Susheela for the film Yagaswam (1978), directed by Hariharan.
Death
Baburaj died on 7 October 1978 at a general hospital in Madras (now Chennai) at the age of 49 after suffering a massive haemorrhagic stroke.
Legacy
Although Baburaj achieved recognition as a composer, he experienced financial difficulties throughout his life. Various cultural and musical organisations have organised programmes in his memory, with some events raising funds for his family.
In 1983, Baburaj posthumously received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in the Light Music category.
Manorama Music acquired an audio cassette in 2005, containing recordings of Baburaj performing some of his own compositions in an informal setting. The recordings were remixed and released under the title Baburaj Padunnu. The album introduced these recordings to a new audience and highlighted Baburaj's singing style.
In 2014, he was posthumously honoured with the Kamukara Music Award, established by the Kamukara Foundation. The award was received by his wife, Bicha Baburaj.
Personal life
Baburaj married Bicha, daughter of Kallayi Kundungal Moideen and Bichamina, in 1956. They had nine children: Sabira, Deedar, Gulnar, Abdul Jabbar, Shamshad, Roshna, Zulfikar, Farhad and Shamna.
Notable songs
Thamasamenthe Varuvan Pranasakhi
Pranasakhi
Anuraga Ganam Pole
Oru Pushpam Mathramen Hridayathil Sookshikkam
Vaasantha Panjami Naalil
Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha
Kanneerum Swapnangalum Vilkkuvanaayi Vannavan Njan
Eeranuduthumkondambaram Chuttunna
Aadiyil Vachanamundaayi
Kalichirimaaratha Penne
Vichana Theerame
Innale Mayangumbol
Thankam Vegam
Chandramimbam Nenjilettum
Pavada prayathil
Annu ninte Nunakkuzhi
Vellichilankayaninjum
Kadali Vazha Kayyilirunnu
Surumayezhuthiya Mizhikale
Pathiravayilla Pournamikanyakku Pathinezhoe Pathinettoe Prayam
Pottatha Ponnin Kinavu Kondoru Pattunoolonjala Ketti Njan
Panja Varna Thatha Pole Konji Vanna Penne
Pranasakhee Njan Verumoru