Veteran Music Maestro SP Venkatesh Passes Away at 70

Veteran music director SP Venkatesh, a towering presence in Malayalam cinema’s golden era, passed away in Chennai on Tuesday at the age of 70. His funeral will be held on Wednesday in Alapakkam, Chennai.

SP Venkatesh began his musical journey in the late 1960s as part of orchestras for Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films before making his debut as an independent composer with the Telugu film Prema Yuddha in 1981. He went on to become one of the most in-demand music directors in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s and 1990s.

Known for his frequent collaborations with filmmakers like Dennis Joseph, Thampi Kannanthanam, and Joshiy, Venkatesh delivered several evergreen soundtracks. His memorable work includes songs from iconic films such as Rajavinte Makan, Kilukkam, Johnnie Walker, Dhruvam, Valsalyam, Kabooliwala, Minnaram, Mannar Mathai Speaking, and Spadikam.

Beyond songs, his background scores elevated classics like No. 20 Madras Mail, Devaasuram, Chandralekha, Vazhunnor, Kakkakuyil, and Runway. In 1993, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director for Paithrukam and Janam.

SP Venkatesh also contributed to films across Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Bengali cinema, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that continues to resonate with generations of film lovers.