It is generally believed that Koodapirappu was Vayalar Rama Varma’s debut as lyricist. Not completely true. This film would go down as his second film. The first one for which Vayalar wrote songs was actually Vazhivilakku , a project that had to be dropped even before the shooting started. No one was sure whether the songs had been recorded. Surprisingly, all the five songs, set to tune by Vimalkumar, are available now.
How did Vayalar come into this film? He was, right from his teens, in close contact with the Communist movement. His village was a nerve centre for some historic events that led to the popularity of the party. Vayalar was influenced and inspired by Kumara Panicker, who was known as ‘Vayalar Stalin.’ Vayalar became an active member of the progressive literary movement which had firm Leftist leanings.
In 1953, a meeting of this organisation was held in Kollam. Vayalar participated in it and made an impactful speech. Among the large audience was A.N. Thampi. He had read some of Vayalar’s poems and was deeply impressed. This admiration turned to friendship. Vimalkumar was also Thampi’s close friend. It was this mutual association that prompted Thampi to produce a film.
Thampi, who was hardly 20 years of age, began initial work on the film in 1954. D.M. Pottekkad was chosen as scriptwriter and director. Vimalkumar was enlisted as music director and along with Vayalar Thampi roped in Thirunelloor Karunakran to write the lyrics. For some reason Thirunalloor was dropped and the entire responsibility of writing songs was thrust on Vayalar.
Thampi reached Raghavaparambu Kovilakam, Vayalar’s ancestral home, and discussed the film with the poet. Vayalar agreed and arrived at Kollam, where he was put up, to complete the writing of the songs. On the third day Vayalar became homesick and rushed back home to see his mother, Ambalika Thampuratti. Vayalar returned to Kollam and within a few days completed the five songs.
KPAC Sulochana, Mehaboob and Abdul Khadar were chosen as singers and they were also paid some money as an advance. Thomas Berly, Sathyan, Kambissery Karunakaran, Pariyanampatta and Premji were some of the actors picked. A. Vincent joined the crew as cinematographer. Some places in and around Paravoor was selected as the main locations.
For the recording of songs a team consisting of singers, the music director, producer and director travelled to Madras. Everything was going as planned when Thampi contracted typhoid. His close friends forced him to return. Thampi was advised bed rest and medication.
Thampi had already advertised this project in some periodicals and dailies before leaving for Madras. All this cost Thampi a loss of around Rs. 20,000. Thampi later returned to Malayalam cinema and directed a couple of films such as Nisagandhi (1970) and Masappadi Mathupilla (1973).
The published advertisements of Vazhivilakku caught the eye of director J. D. Thottan. When M. A. Rasheed decided to produce Koodapirappu under the banner of Kadeeja Production, Thottan suggested the name of Vayalar Rama Varma as lyricist. There is difference of opinion about the first song he wrote for this film. Some say it was Manivarnnane innunjan kandu sakhi …, while others believe it was Thumbi thumbi va va … The songs in this film did not really give Vayalar a break. He later modified the style of writing resorting to a combination of Malayalam and Sanskrit (Manipravalam). This style was widely appreciated and the songs he wrote in this mode turned huge hits.
In later years Vayalar carved a niche for himself in Malayalam cinema. He went on to win the State award for best lyricist three times and the National award in 1974.
