Yusufali Kechery


Yusufali Kechery was a poet, film lyricist, film producer and director from Kerala, India. He wrote during the modern era of Malayalam poetry and won the Odakkuzhal Award, the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and the Vallathol Award.

Career

Kechery was born in 1934 in Kechery in Trichur district of the Kingdom of Cochin. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Arts and Law, he started his career as a lawyer and freelance writer.
K. P. Narayana Pisharody was Kechery's Sanskrit teacher and taught him free of cost for four years. Kechery’s poetry works include Sainaba, Aayiram Navulla Mounam, Anchu Kanyakakal, Nadabhramam, Amrithu, Kecheri Puzha, Anuragagaanam Pole, Aalila, Kadhaye Premicha Kavitha, Perariyatha Nombaram and Ahaindavam.
Kechery was also known as a lyricist who wrote songs for Malayalam films. His first film as a producer was Sindooracheppu, which was directed by Madhu, who also acted in the film. Kechery wrote the screenplay and lyrics for all the songs in this film. He made his directorial debut in 1973 with Maram, a film written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair. He also directed the films Vanadevatha and Neelathamara. He wrote the lyrics for the songs in the film Dhwani, which were composed by musician Naushad. In 2000 he was awarded a National Award for a Sanskrit song written for the Malayalam film Mazha.
Kechery died on 21 March 2015 at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, aged 81. He was suffering from bronchial pneumonia and long-term diabetes.

Awards

Literary awards

Poetry

;As Director
;As Producer
; As Lyricist