Yusufali Kechery

Yusuf Ali Kechery was an Indian poet, director, film lyricist, and film producer from Kerala, who was born on May 16th, 1934. He was one of the most known poets of the of Malayalam poetry and received numerous awards including Kerala Sahitya Academy Award, Odakkuzhal Award, and Vallathol Award. Yusuf was born in 1934 in Trichur district of the City of Cochin. After getting his Bachelor's degree in Arts and Law, he began his career journey as a freelance writer and lawyer. Professor KP Narayana, who was a highly regarded scholar, was Yousuf’s Sanskrit teacher and taught him without any fee for four years.

Yusuf is remembered as one of the leading poetry artists of the Malayalam Poetry. Some of his significant poetry works include Aayiram Navulla Mounam, Sainaba, Anchu Kanyakakal, Amrithu, Nadabhramam, Kecheri Puzha, Anuragagaanam Pole, Kadhaye Premicha Kavitha, Aalila, Perariyatha Nombaram and Ahaindavam. Yusuf served in the post of Executive Member and Assistant Secretary of the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy.

He was one of the advisory Committee Member of All India Radio Trichur. Yusuf also became the president of the Kerala Sahitya Academy. He also known as a brilliant lyricist who wrote some well appreciated songs for Malayalam movies. His first movie as a producer was Sindoorachepu (1971), which directed by the famous actor Madhu. Yusuf wrote the lyrics and screenplay for all the songs in this movie. Yusuf started his directorial career in 1973 with Maram, a movie written by MT Vasudevan Nair. Yusuf also directed the movies Neelathamara (1979) and Vanadevatha (1977).

He penned the lyrics for the hit tracks in the movie Dhwani, which composed by well-known musician Naushad. In 2000, Yusuf got a National Award for a Sanskrit track written for the Malayalam movie Mazha. Yusuf took his last breath on March 21st, 2015 at a private hospital in Kochi. He suffered from bronchial pneumonia. Yusuf’s death came one day after the 11-death anniversary of his teacher, KP Narayana. He was buried at the Kabristaan of Pattikara Juma Masjid near his house.