Samuel Joseph (born 1937), better known as Shyam, is a

music composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Def ...

who works in

Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...

. From the mid-1970s to the late 1980s, Shyam had a prolific run as a composer in the Malayalam film industry, composing for nearly 200 films. Working with all major directors of the time, Shyam had scored for many hits of

Jayan Krishnan Nair (25 July 1939 – 16 November 1980), better known by his stage name Jayan, was an Indian actor, naval officer, stunt performer and cultural icon of the 1970s and 1980s. He starred in over 150 Malayalam films. During his film caree ...

and the early films of

Mammootty Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail (; born 7 September 1951), known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty (), is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema, Malayalam films. He has also appeared in Tamil l ...

and

Mohanlal Mohanlal Viswanathan (born 21 May 1960), known mononymously as Mohanlal, is an Indian actor, film producer, playback singer, film distributor, and director who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema besides also having sporadically app ...

Career beginnings

Shyam apprenticed under maestros M. S. Viswanathan and

Salil Chowdhury Salil Chowdhury (19 November 1925 – 5 September 1995) was an Indian music director, songwriter, lyricist, writer and poet who predominantly composed for Bengali, Hindi and Malayalam films. He composed music for films in 13 languages. This in ...

, the former renaming him 'Shyam'. He has been an assistant for various music directors including

Rajan Nagendra ''Raja'' (; from , IAST ') is a royal title used for South Asian monarchs. The title is equivalent to king or princely ruler in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The title has a long history in South Asia and Southeast Asia, being attested f ...

, Satyam, S. Rajeswara Rao,

Pendyala Nageswara Rao Pendyala Nageswara Rao (6 March 1917 – 31 August 1984), known mononymously by his surname Pendyala, was an Indian composer, multi-instrumentalist, conductor, music producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with Tami ...

, AM Raja, TG Lingappa etc for several years before venturing as an independent music director. He has also worked as a lead violinist with famous composers like C. Ramachandra, V Dakshinamoorthi,

Naushad Naushad Ali (25 December 1919 – 5 May 2006) was an Indian music director for Hindi films. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and foremost music directors of the Hindi film industry. He is particularly known for popularising the ...

Madan Mohan Madan Mohan is a form of the Hindu god, Krishna. Krishna is celebrated as ''Madan Mohan'', who mesmerizes everyone. His consort, Radha is glorified as Madan Mohan's ''Mohini'', who can even mesmerise Madan Mohan (her Kahn). Radha is known as th ...

, G. Devarajan,

Bombay Ravi Ravi Shankar Sharma (3 March 1926 – 7 March 2012), often referred to mononymously as Ravi, was an Indian music director, who had composed music for several Hindi and Malayalam films. After a successful career in Hindi cinema, he took a brea ...

RD Burman Rahul Dev Burman (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) was an Indian music director who is considered one of the most influential composers of India. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Burman composed musical scores for 331 films. Burman did major work ...

etc. Along with his training in western violin he is also trained in carnatic classical violin under the baton of legendary classical violinist

Lalgudi Jayaraman Lalgudi Gopala Iyer Jayaraman (17 September 1930 – 22 April 2013) was an Indian Carnatic violinist, vocalist and composer. He is commonly grouped with M.S. Gopalakrishnan and T.N.Krishnan as part of the violin-trinity of Carnatic Mus ...

. He debuted as an independent film composer in

through the 1974 film, ''

Manyasree Viswamithran ''Manyasree Viswamithran'' is a 1974 Indian Malayalam-language Satire (film and television), satirical film, directed and produced by Madhu (actor), Madhu, and written by Kainikkara Kumara Pillai. The film stars Madhu (actor), Madhu, Sheela, Jay ...

'' directed by actor

Madhu Madhu (Sanskrit: ) is a word used in several Indo-Aryan languages meaning ''honey'' or ''sweet''. It is ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European ''*médʰu'', whence English '' mead''. Metaphorical use ''Madhu'' has been used for millennia si ...

. All the tracks from the movie including ''Kettille Kottayathoru'' became huge success.

Partial filmography

;Malayalam *''

'' (1974) *''

Saritha Saritha is an Indian actress who has acted in more than 500 films in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu languages. She was one of the popular and critically acclaimed lead actresses during the 1980s. She also appeared in a television serial, ' ...

'' (1977) *'' Abhinivesham'' (1977) *'' Kalliyankattu Neeli'' (1979) *'' Angaadi''(1980) *''

Thrishna ''Thrishna'' is a 1981 Indian Malayalam film written by M. T Vasudevan Nair , directed by I. V. Sasi and produced by Rosamma George. The film has musical score by Shyam. The film stars Mammootty, Rajyalakshmi, Swapna and Kaviyoor Ponnamma in ...

''(1981) *'' Enthino Pookunna Pookkal'' (1982) *''

Mazhu ''Mazhu'' is a 1982 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. K. Krishnan and produced by Joye Palliyan and K. P. Mohammed. The film stars Sathaar, Sukumaran, Balan K. Nair and Lalithasree in the lead roles. The film score is by Shyam. Cast *Satha ...

'' (1982) *'' Engane Nee Marakkum'' (1983) *'' America America (1983 film)'' (1983) *''

Aksharangal ''Aksharangal'' is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by I. V. Sasi and produced by Rosamma George. The film stars Mammootty, Bharath Gopi, Seema and Suhasini. The film has musical score by Shyam. Plot Jayadevan reads a poem at ...

'' (1984) *''

Kanamarayathu ''Kanamarayathu'' () is a 1984 Malayalam film written by Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi. It stars Mammootty, Shobhana, Rahman, Lalu Alex and Seema. The story was an adaptation of the 1912 novel '' Daddy-Long-Legs'' by Jean Webster. Thi ...

'' (1984) *''

Nirakkoottu ''Nirakkoottu'' is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Joshiy, written by Dennis Joseph, starring Mammootty, Sumalatha, Urvashi, Lizy, Babu Namboothiri and Jose Prakash. The music was composed by Shyam. The story follows journali ...

'' (1985) *''

Gandhinagar 2nd Street ''Gandhinagar 2nd Street'' is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by Sreenivasan from a story by Anthikad. It stars Mohanlal in the lead role, with Karthika, Seema, Sreenivasan, Thilak ...

'' (1986) *''

Aavanazhi ''Aavanazhi'' is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language action film directed by I. V. Sasi, written by T. Damodaran. The film deals with social and political issues of that time. It stars Mammootty, Geetha, Seema, Sukumaran, Captain Raju, Janardan ...

'' (1986) *''

Malarum Kiliyum ''Malarum Kiliyum'' is a 1986 Indian Malayalam film directed by K. Madhu and produced by Jagan Appachan. The film stars Mammootty, Menaka, Ambika and Lalu Alex in the lead roles. The film has a musical score by Shyam. Cast * Mammootty * Me ...

'' (1986) *''

New Delhi New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House ...

'' (1987) *'' Nadodikattu'' (1987) *''

Oru CBI Diary Kurippu ''Oru CBI Diary Kurippu'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language mystery thriller film directed by K. Madhu, written by S. N. Swamy, and starring Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jagathy Sreekumar, Mukesh, and Sukumaran. The lead character, CBI offic ...

'' (1988) *'' Daisy'' (1988) *''

Moonnam Mura ''Moonnam Mura'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by K. Madhu and written by S. N. Swamy. Starring Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Lalu Alex, Revathi, and Mukesh. The plot deals with a terrorist group kidnapping a grou ...

'' (1988) *''

Jagratha ''Jagratha: CBI Diary - Part 2'' (transl. Warning) is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language investigative thriller film directed by K. Madhu, starring Mammootty, Mukesh and Jagathy Sreekumar. It is the second movie in the CBI investigative thril ...

'' (1989) *''

Adhipan ''Adhipan'' (അധിപൻ ) is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by K. Madhu and written by Jagadeesh. The film stars Mohanlal, Parvathy and Monisha. The film features background score and songs composed by Shyam ...

'' (1989) *''

Adikkurippu ''Adikkurippu'' is a 1989 Malayalam-language legal thriller film, written by S. N. Swamy and directed by K. Madhu. It stars Mammootty in the lead role, who plays the role of an advocate. The movie was praised for introducing a new theme in Mala ...

'' (1989) *''

Naduvazhikal ''Naduvazhikal'' () is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language action crime film directed by Joshiy and written by S. N. Swami. The film was loosely based on ''The Godfather''. It tells the story of Arjun (Mohanlal), who takes up the business empire o ...

'' (1989) *''

Kottayam Kunjachan ''Kottayam Kunjachan'' is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by T. S. Suresh Babu and written by Dennis Joseph, loosely based on a novel by Muttathu Varkey. It stars Mammootty in the title role as Kunjachan, with Ra ...

'' (1990) *''

Randam Varavu ''Randam Varavu'' () is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film, directed by K. Madhu and written by John Paul. The film stars Jayaram, Rekha, Jagathy Sreekumar and Sukumaran. The film's musical score is by Shyam. This film was a b ...

'' (1990) *'' Arhatha'' (1990) *''

Inspector Balram ''Inspector Balram'' is a 1991 Malayalam film directed by I. V. Sasi, scripted by T. Damodaran, and starring Mammootty. It is a sequel to the 1986 film ''Aavanazhi'' and was followed by a sequel, '' Balram vs. Taradas'', in 2006. The movie was ...

'' (1991) *''

Anubhoothi ''Anubhoothi'' is a 1997 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi. The film stars Suresh Gopi, Khushbu, Jagadish, Vani Viswanath, M. R. Gopakumar and Kaveri in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam. Cast *Suresh Gopi as ...

'' (1997) *''

Sethurama Iyer CBI ''Sethurama Iyer CBI'' is a 2004 Malayalam-language mystery crime film directed by K Madhu.The movie is written by S. N. Swami, and The movie stars Mammootty in titular role. Actors Mukesh and Jagathy Sreekumar played important supporting rol ...

'' (2004) *''

Nerariyan CBI ''Nerariyan CBI'' () is a 2005 Indian Malayalam-language mystery film directed and produced by K. Madhu and written by S. N. Swamy. The fourth installment in the franchise of CBI investigative thrillers, Mammootty reprised the role of Sethur ...

'' (2005) ;Tamil *'' Karunthel Kannayiram'' (1972) *''

Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala! ''Manitharil Ithanai Nirangala!'' () is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. C. Sakthi and starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Murali Mohan The film was released on Diwali 1978, coinciding with Sigappu Rojakkal on the same day t ...

'' (1978) *'' Devadhai'' (1979) *'' Pancha Kalyani'' (1979) *''Sree Devi'' (1980) *'' Matravai Neril'' (1981) *'' Kal vadiyum Pookkal'' (1981) *''

Salanam ''Salanam'' is a 2003 Indian-Tamil soap opera starring Ashok, Shalini, Keerthana, Murali and Ajay Kapoor. It aired from 5 May 2003 to 17 October 2003 on Star Vijay. The series was produced by UTV and directed by Kavitha Bharathy. It is inspi ...

'' (1981) *'' Punitha Malar'' (1982) *'' Vaa Indha Pakkam'' (1981) *'' Kuppathu Ponnu'' (1983) *'' Nandri Meendum varuga'' (1983) *''

Andhi Mayakkam ''Andhi Mayakkam'' is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Banudasan for producer A.V.Raja Reddiyar. The film stars Vanitha Krishnachandran in the lead role. Cast *Manoj *Vinoth *Vanitha *Gandhimathi Soundtrack Soundtrack was com ...

'' (1984) *'' Oru Pullankuzhal Aduppu Oodhugiradhu'' (1984) *'' Kuzhandhai Yesu'' (1984) *'' Vilangu meen'' (1987) *'' Vilangu'' *'' Jaathi Pookkal'' (1987) *'' Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu'' (1987) (score only) *'' Oonjal'' *'' Nee Sirithaal Naan Sirippen'' *'' Velaikkari Vijaya'' *'' iniyavale vaa'' *'' Kanneril Ezhuthathe'' *'' Paasam oru Vesam'' *'' Kuyile Kuyile'' *Appa Amma (1974) *Alli Durbar (1978) *Unarchigal (1976) *Naan Nandri Solven *Thevaigal *Ithu Kathai Alla *Kunguma Kolangal *Akkaraiku Vaaringala *Idhayam Pesugirathu *Kaladi Osai *Nalam Nalamariya Aaval *Santhosha Kanavugal *Antha Vaanam Saatchi *Sariyana Jodi ;Other languages *'' Antima Teerpu'' (1988; Telugu) *''

'' (1988; Hindi) *''

'' (1988; Kannada) *'' God Father'' (Kannada)

Hit Songs

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards: * Best Music Director – 1983 – ''

Aaroodam ''Aaroodam'' is a 1983 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi and produced by Rosamma George. The film stars Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, Seema and Adoor Bhasi in prominent roles. The film has musical score by Shyam. The film won the Nargis ...

'' * Best Music Director – 1984 – ''

References

Mark of the master composer, musician, The Hindu

Play it again, Shyam, The Hindu]*Shyam the King of 80's (orkut community) * http://devaragam.com/vbscript/musicNew.aspx?artistid=51
Shyam at MSI
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shyam 1937 births Living people Tamil film score composers Kerala State Film Award winners Malayalam film score composers Musicians from Chennai 20th-century Indian composers