Introduction
Rafeeq Ahmed (born 17 December 1961) is a Malayalam poet, lyricist and novelist. He has won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry and is a five-time winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics. With more than 600 songs in his credit, Rafeeq Ahamed is regarded as the most successful and critically acclaimed lyricist of contemporary Malayalam cinema.
Biography
Rafeeq Ahamed was born to Syed Sajjad Hussain and Thithayikutty on 17 December 1961 in Akkikavu, Trichur. He graduated in English literature from Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur. He started his film career through the 1999 film Garshom directed by P. T. Kunju Muhammed. His second work as a lyricist was Perumazhakkalam , directed by Kamal. It was music director M. Jayachandranwho suggested Rafeeq to Kamal, based on an experience of working with Rafeeq for the title song of a television serial Samanathaalam. Rafeeq penned the lyrics of much acclaimed song Rakkilithan for perumazhakalam and has since written more than 600 songs for about 400 Malayalam films. He received Kerala State film award for best lyrics five times. He won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2006 for his poetic work, Aalmara. His first novel, Azhukkillam, was serialised in Mathrubhumi Weekly.
Poetry collections
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Rafeeq Ahamedinte Kavithakal |
| 2012 | Thoraamazha |
| 2008 | Gramavrikshathile Vavval |
| 2008 | Shivakami |
| 2007 | Cheettukalikkar |
| 2006 | Alamara |
| 2000 | Paarayil Paninjathu |
| 1996 | Swapnavangmoolam |
Novel
- Azhukkillam
Awards
Literary awards
- 2014: Odakkuzhal Award for Rafeeq Ahammedinte Kavithakal
- 2006: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Alamara
- 2000: Olappamanna Memorial Award for Paarayil Pathiinjathu
- Edappally Award
- Kunchupilla Award
- Kanakasree Award
- Vailoppilli Award
- 2017: P. Kunjiraman Nair Award
- Ulloor Award
- 2019: Swathi-Ayyappa Panicker Literary Award
Film awards
Kerala State Film Awards:
- 2007 – Best Lyricist – Pranayakalam
- 2009 – Best Lyricist – Sufi Paranja Katha
- 2010 – Best Lyricist – Sadgamaya
- 2012 – Best Lyricist – Spirit
- 2015 – Best Lyricist – Ennu Ninte Moideen
Asianet Film Award
- 2012- Best Lyricist – Ustad Hotel
- 2014- Best Lyricist – How old are you?
- 2015- Best Lyricist – Ennu Ninte Moideen
- 2017- Best Lyricist – Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol
- Amrita Awards
- 2012- Amrita TV Film Award for Best Lyricist -
- 2014 – Amrita TV Film Award for Best Lyricist – Oru Indian Pranayakatha
Filmfare South
- 2010-Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Malayalam – Anwar
- 2012-Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Malayalam – Spirit
- 2015-Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Malayalam – Ennu Ninte Moideen
Vanitha Film Awards
- 2018 - Best Lyricist - Odiyan
- 2015 – Best Lyricist – Ennu Ninte Moideen
- 2013 -Best Lyricist – Spirit ,Diamond Necklace
- 2011 -Best Lyricist – Anwar