Mullanezhi

Mullanezhi Neelakandan Namboothiri (Malayalam: മുല്ലനേഴി നീലകണ്ഠൻ നമ്പൂതിരി), popularly known as Mullanezhi, was a Malayalam poet, playwright, lyricist and actor from Thrissur in Kerala state of India. He had been awarded the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award twice: in 1995 for the drama Samathalam and in 2010 for the poetry collection Kavitha. He also received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist in 1981 for the film Njavalpazham. He has penned more than 69 songs for 22 movies and also acted in films like Uppu, Piravi, Kazhakam and Neelathamara.

Biography

Mullanezhi was born in Mullanezhi Mana, Avinisseri, Ollur on May 16, 1948. Though he began to write poems from his childhood, it was Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon, who discovered the poet in him and guided him in his life and career. Vyloppilly was also instrumental in prompting him join for Vidwan course, and thus to become a school teacher. He started his career as a teacher from Ramavarmapuram Government High School.