The highly anticipated Kerala State Film Awards 2024 was announced today (August 16). Saji Cheriyan, the Kerala Minister of Cultural Affairs, announced the winners of the coveted awards during a press briefing in Thiruvananthapuram. As was to be expected, many artists—both established and young ones—were given the credit they are deserving of this year. Renowned music composer P S Vidyadharan, also referred to as Vidyadharan master, is one of them. He has over 70 years of experience in Malayalam cinema and won his first state award this time.

Vidyadharan master won Best Playback Singer (Male) Award

The veteran music director bagged the award for the Best Playback Singer (Male) for lending his voice for the soundtrack titled, Pathiranennorthoru Kanavil, from Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu. Speaking to members of the media, Vidyadharan master expressed his happiness at receiving such a prestigious award as a singer after working in the field for such a long time.

He claimed that "the music has evolved over the years and is now completely different from the era when I composed." The composer continued by saying that good music would always be valued by people, regardless of the time period. Beginning his career as a music director with the 1984 film Ente Gramam, Vidyadharan gained widespread recognition for his compositions of Chandanam Manakkunna from Achuvettante Veedu and Nrithyathi Nrithyathi from Radha Madhavam.

Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu on Manorama Max

Manorama Max is currently offering Jananam 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu, starring Jayaraj Kozhikode and Leela Samson in the lead roles, for streaming. It chronicles the lives of two elderly individuals whose relationship sheds light on our conception of companionship—namely, that young people are the only ones who can find true love.

It is intriguing to note that this movie marks the first lead role of Kozhikode Jayaraj, a junior artist who has worked in the Malayalam industry for over 50 years. Supporting roles in the film are played by Deepak Parambol, Anu Sithara, Nobi Marakkar, Pauly Valsan, Nandan Unni, Ambi Neenasam, Irshad Ali, and Sajith Parayil. The music was composed by Govind Vasantha.

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