Published Feb 03, 2026 | 3:31 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 04, 2026 | 1:55 PM
Music Director SP Venkatesh. (Supplied)
Renowned music director SP Venkatesh (70), whose evergreen compositions left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema, passed away on Tuesday, 3 February, at his residence in Chennai following a heart attack.
His demise marks the end of a glorious chapter in South Indian film music.
Born on March 5, 1955, in Tamil Nadu, Venkatesh was introduced to music at a very young age.
He began learning the mandolin at the age of three under his father, himself a mandolin player.
His early career saw him working as an orchestra musician from 1968, contributing to films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
He entered cinema as a guitarist in 1971 under music director Vijayabhaskar, became an assistant music director in Kannada films in 1975, and made his independent debut with the Telugu film Premayuddha (1981).
He became active in Malayalam cinema from 1983, initially assisting stalwarts like A.T. Ummar.
His background score for T.P. Balagopalan M.A. (1986) drew attention, but it was Rajavinte Makan, directed by Thampi Kannanthanam, that established him as a major force.
Dominating Malayalam cinema in the 1990s, S.P. Venkatesh composed music and background scores for over 150 Malayalam films, including Kilukkam, Devasuram, Vatsalyam, Sphadikam, Dhruvam, Minnaram and Mannar Mathai Speaking.
A Kerala State Film Award winner, he remains one of Malayalam cinema’s most influential composers.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
