Legendary Malayalam lyricist and screenwriter Mankombu Gopalakrishnan passes away at 78

Mankombu Gopalakrishnan’s passing marks the end of an era in Malayalam cinema, but his enduring legacy of music, poetry, and storytelling will continue to inspire generations to come

Published Mar 17, 2025 | 7:28 PMUpdated Mar 17, 2025 | 7:28 PM

Legendary malayalam lyricist and screenwriter Mankombu Gopalakrishnan passes away at 78

Synopsis: Legendary Malayalam lyricist and screenwriter Mankombu Gopalakrishnan passed away at 78 following a heart attack. With over 700 songs in 200 films, his timeless classics like “Laksharchana Kandumadaan” and “Ilammanjhin Kulirumai” enriched Malayalam cinema. A poet, dialogue writer, and translator, Gopalakrishnan’s contributions spanned multiple facets of cinema, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come

Legendary Malayalam lyricist and screenwriter Mankombu Gopalakrishnan passed away on Monday evening at the age of 78 following a heart attack. 

He breathed his last in Kochi, leaving behind a monumental legacy that enriched Malayalam cinema for over five decades.

With more than 700 songs in over 200 films, Gopalakrishnan’s lyrical brilliance touched the hearts of generations. His songs captured the essence of love, devotion, melancholy, and nostalgia, making them timeless classics. 

Some of his most memorable tracks include the soulful “Laksharchana Kandumadaan” and the evergreen “Ilammanjhin Kulirumai,” both of which continue to resonate with music lovers.

Gopalakrishnan’s contributions extended far beyond lyrics. He was a poet, dialogue writer, screenwriter, and translator, showcasing his versatility across multiple facets of cinema. 

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Glowing career, spanning decades

Born with a natural gift for poetry, his career began with writing drama songs before he ventured into the Malayalam film industry. 

His breakthrough came in 1974 with the film Ayalathe Sundari, where his song “Laksharchana Kandhu Madangumbol” became a massive hit.

From that point on, his pen weaved magic with composers such as MS Viswanathan, G Devarajan, MK Arjunan, Ilayaraja, AR Rahman, and MM Keeravani. 

His ability to connect deeply with audiences through his lyrics made him an integral part of Malayalam cinema’s musical heritage.

Gopalakrishnan’s influence extended beyond Malayalam cinema. He was instrumental in translating and writing subtitles for blockbusters like RRR, Baahubali (both parts), Yatra, Dheera, and Eecha. His lyrics in Baahubali are still cherished by fans, ensuring his legacy continues to resonate with younger audiences.

Move to Madras

The defining moment in Gopalakrishnan’s life came when he moved to Madras in 1970, driven by a passion for cinema. 

Starting as the editor of a magazine, he quickly transitioned to film songwriting, marking the beginning of an illustrious career that would span decades.

In addition to writing lyrics, Gopalakrishnan penned scripts for more than ten films. He played a key role in adapting and translating numerous Indian film songs across languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and Bengali into Malayalam. 

His deep emotional storytelling, both in lyrics and scripts, left a lasting impact on Malayalam cinema.

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Condolences pour in 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan mourned Gopalakrishnan’s passing, stating, “His songs touched the cultural fabric of Kerala and found a place in the hearts of music lovers.” 

Opposition Leader VD Satheesan also expressed his condolences, calling Gopalakrishnan “a leading lyricist and screenwriter whose words brought life to Malayalam cinema. His contribution to the industry is irreplaceable.”

Kerala Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer expressed deep condolences on the passing of legendary lyricist Mankombu Gopalakrishnan, praising his immense contributions to Malayalam cinema.

Describing Gopalakrishnan’s death as a significant loss to Malayalam cinema, Speaker Shamseer extended heartfelt sympathies to the grieving family.

Culture Minister Saji Cherian also paid tribute, highlighting the lyricist’s profound influence on Malayalam music. 

The minister recalled the enduring appeal of iconic tracks such as “Ilam Manjin Kulirumayaoru Kuyil…” and “Laksharchana Kandhu Madangumbol…” that remain beloved by Malayalis.

Cherian further lauded Gopalakrishnan’s ability to retain originality in Malayalam adaptations of dubbed films, carving out his unique space in the industry despite the presence of lyricists like Vayalar, P Bhaskaran, and Sreekumaran Thampi.

Mankombu Gopalakrishnan’s death marks the end of an era for Malayalam cinema, but his rich legacy of music, poetry, and storytelling will continue to inspire future generations.

(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)

 

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