Yusufali Kechery

Yusufali Kechery (Yūsaphali Kēccēri; 16 May 1934 – 21 March 2015) was a poet, film lyricist, film producer and director from Kerala, India.^[2] He wrote during the modern era of Malayalam poetry and won the Odakkuzhal Award, the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and the Vallathol Award.

Yusufali Kechery
Born	(1934-05-16)16 May 1934 Kechery, Trichur district, Kingdom of Cochin
Died	March 21, 2015(2015-03-21) (aged 80)[1] Kochi, Kerala, India
Occupation(s)	Film Director, film producer, poet, film lyricist

Career

K. P. Narayana Pisharody was Kechery's Sanskrit teacher and taught him free of cost for four years.^[3] Kechery's poetry works include Sainaba, Aayiram Navulla Mounam, Anchu Kanyakakal, Nadabhramam, Amrithu, Kecheri Puzha, Anuragagaanam Pole, Aalila, Kadhaye Premicha Kavitha, Perariyatha Nombaram and Ahaindavam.^[4]

He also directed the films Vanadevatha (1977) and Neelathamara (1979). He wrote the lyrics for the songs in the film Dhwani, which were composed by musician Naushad. In 2000 he was awarded a National Award for a Sanskrit song written for the Malayalam film Mazha (Rain).^[5]

Kechery died on 21 March 2015 at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, aged 80.^[6]

Awards

Literary awards

• 1985: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award — Aayiram Naavulla Maunam^[7]
• 1987: Odakkuzhal Award — Kechery Puzha^{[citation needed]}
• 1988: Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram — Kechery Puzha^[8]
• 1990: Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram^{[citation needed]}
• 2001: Deviprasadam Trust Award^[9]
• 2012: Vallathol Award^[10]
• 2012: Balamani Amma Award^[11]
• 2013: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship^[12]

Film awards

• 1993: Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics - Ghazal^{[citation needed]}
• 1994: Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics - Parinayam^{[citation needed]}
• 1998: Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics - Sneham^{[citation needed]}
• 1999: Asianet Film Award for Best Lyricist -Deepasthambham Mahascharyam^{[citation needed]}
• 2000: National Film Award for Best Lyricist - Mazha^{[citation needed]}
• Prem Nazir Award^{[citation needed]}
• Kunchacko Memorial Award^{[citation needed]}