Bichu Thirumala's comic sense allowed him to write fun songs: Ouseppachan

Bichu Thirumala

, who had penned around 3,000 film songs, passed away from a cardiac arrest this morning. Composer Ouseppachan, who had worked with the lyricist on popular hit songs, such as

Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam

, pays tribute to his unique talent and personality.

When I was a 20-year-old in Chennai, while manning my friend’s shop called Bombay Sarees in Kodambakkam, I used to see a person who often passed by the shop. I used to be curious and watch out for him, because of his long hair, which was a rare sight in those days. I remember my friend pointing out that it was Bichu Thirumala.

Then I would see him when I used to play violin for the compositions of AT Ummer and Shyam, for whom he had written the lyrics. But it was only when I was set to compose for Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam that we actually met. While the title song could be written by anyone, I feel it was his lyrics in the song Vaazhapookilikal Orupidi that really showed his unique talent as a lyricist. The fast-paced song has line after line of poetry, and I think it was this skill that made director Kamal pick him for the songs of this film. Thanks to this, I had this chance, which I consider a blessing, to work with him.

Those were lovely times. I remember humming tunes for him and him writing the lyrics, according to the mood of the film. It was special how he brought the title of the film into the Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam song, which boosted the film and went on to make it a hit.

Directors used to make use of his skill to write for characters who were out of the ordinary, such as the ‘gypsies’ in Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal. We don’t know how they talk, but he did his homework and used words such as thanne chithalerum or nannangadigal… how beautifully he conveyed images and made us feel like this was their language.

He could also sing, which gave him his distinct skill to be able to write lyrics once the tune was given to him. He would quickly grasp the tune, no matter how complicated, and write the lines according to the precise mood, such as for a unique moment in my composition Manassil Valarnnoru for the 1998 film Sundarakilladi.

As a person, he was very, very down-to-earth and such good fun. He would seem like he was saying something cross to us and it would take a minute to register that he was making a joke. It was this jovial nature that allowed him to write some fun songs, such as Padakali for 1992 film Yodha. What a combination he was with composer Raveendran, and Bichu would narrate to me stories about how they worked together, and they were so pleasant to hear. He was a great storyteller. He had a clear view of life and had a philosophical bent. On the whole, apart from giving us beautiful songs, for which he won two State awards, he was a well-rounded person.
— As told to Anna Mathews