# Ka. Mu. Sheriff

Ka. Mu. Sheriff was a writer and poet who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He was a popular Tamil film lyricist during the 1950s and 60s. His lyrics Chittukuruvi Chittukuruvi Sedhi Theriyuma?, Yerikaraiyin Maele Poravale Penn Mayile are ever-green in the minds of Tamil film song lovers. He has also written screenplays and dialogue for some films.

## Early life

Born on 11 August 1914 at Abhivirutheeswaram in East Thanjavur district as the only son of Kadershah Ravuthar and Pathuma amma, he lived an exemplary life. Though he was a Muslim by birth, he respected other faiths and was a vegetarian throughout his life. He never smoked or drank.
He did not have a regular school education but was tutored privately in Tamil language till he was 14 years of age. Encouraged by his father, he learned Tamil grammar and literature. He started writing poetry when he was young.

## Career

He started writing short stories for Ananda Vikatan. (Later these short stories were published as a collection in book form). He published a monthly named "Oli" (transl. Light) in 1948 and then between 1952 and 1969 he published two periodicals Saattai and Thamizh Muzhakkam.

## Freedom fighter

He was a follower of the Congress party freedom fight and has taken part in the Quit India Movement in 1942. Later he joined Ma. Po. Si.'s Tamil Arasu Kazhagam and functioned as its secretary. He participated in the struggle mooted by Tamil Arasu Kazhagam to retain Madras as the Capital of Tamil Nadu. He also participated in the Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu.

## Writer

He has written numerous books on various subjects in Tamil. (Lists of books he authored can be found in ta:கா. மு. ஷெரீப்).

## Lyricist

In late 1940s, Sheriff was affiliated to the Modern Theatres in Salem. He was influential in introducing M. Karunanidhi to the Modern Theatres' owner T. R. Sundaram, who hired the young script writer for a monthly sum of 500 rupees, to join the story department of his company. In his autobiography, Karunanidhi had acknowledged this debt. Sheriff has penned more than 400 lyrics, many of which are popular and ever-green among Tamil film song lovers. His very first movie lyric was penned for the 1950 film Ponmudi, produced by the Modern Theatres.

## Music Directors

Music directors who composed tunes to his lyrics are: G. Ramanathan, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, S. Dakshinamurthi, K. V. Mahadevan, Ramaneekaran, T. A. Kalyanam, T. R. Pappa, S. Rajeswara Rao

## Singers

Singers who sang his lyrics include T. M. Soundararajan, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, A. M. Rajah, P. Leela, Jikki, K. Jamuna Rani, Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, (Radha) Jayalakshmi, K. Rani, U. R. Chandra, Ponnammal, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, A. P. Komala,

## Notable compositions

| Year | Film | Song/s | Singer/s | Music Director | Notes |
| 1950 | Manthiri Kumari | உலவும் தென்றல் காற்றினிலே and others | | G. Ramanathan | He is one of the lyricists along with A.Maruthakasi |
| 1950 | Digambara Samiyar | | | G. Ramanathan S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | He is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known |
| 1950 | Ponmudi | | | G. Ramanathan | He is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known |
| 1950 | Chavukkadi Chandrakantha | | | G. Ramanathan | He is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known |
| 1951 | Devaki | | | G. Ramanathan | He is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known |
| 1951 | Sarvadhikari | | | S. Dakshinamurthi | He is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known |
| 1952 | Amarakavi | Oru Pizhaiyum Seydhariyen ..eesa Man meethile | M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar | G. Ramanathan T. A. Kalyanam | |
| 1952 | Zamindar | | | G. Ramanathan | A. Maruthakasi also wrote lyrics. Individual credits not known |
| 1953 | Anbu | Enna Enna Inbame | A. M. Rajah & Jikki | T. R. Pappa | 3 out of 12 songs were penned by him |
| 1953 | Inspector | | | G. Ramanathan | He is one of the lyricists. Individual credits not known |
| 1953 | Naalvar | Valluvanaar Seydha Thozhil | U. R. Chandra, Ponnammal & group | K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1953 | Vazha Pirandhaval | | | G. Ramanathan S. Rajeswara Rao | All 9 songs were penned by him |
| 1954 | Koondukkili | Vaanga Ellorume Koodi | T. M. Soundararajan & K. Rani | K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1954 | Mangalyam | Vaazhvadhu Ponaalum | T. M. Soundararajan | K. V. Mahadevan | 4 out of 7 songs were penned by him |
| 1954 | Pudhu Yugam | Jaadhiyile Naanga Thaazhndavanga | Jikki, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathinamala | G. Ramanathan | He wrote the story also |
| 1955 | Asai Anna Arumai Thambi | Menakaiyum Naanuvaal | K. Rani | K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1955 | Kalyanam Seydhukko | Engum Nirai Paramporul Onre | Sirkazhi Govindarajan | Ramaneekaran | |
| 1955 | Kalyanam Seydhukko | Vaetti Kattina Pombale | Sirkazhi Govindarajan & Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi | | |
| 1955 | Mullaivanam | Engirundho ingu vandha radhiye | T. M. Soundararajan & (Radha) Jayalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1955 | Mullaivanam | Sariyendru nee oru | T. M. Soundararajan & (Radha) Jayalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1955 | Nalla Thangai | Ennai Pole Bhagyasaali | Jikki & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | |
| 1955 | Nalla Thangai | Thaene Paage Thevittadha | (Radha) Jayalakshmi | G. Ramanathan | |
| 1955 | Town Bus | Chittukkuruvi Chittukkuruvi | | K. V. Mahadevan | All songs |
| 1956 | Naan Petra Selvam | | | G. Ramanathan | All (9) songs |
| 1957 | Makkalai Petra Magarasi | O Malliyakka O Rojakka | Jikki, K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala | K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1957 | Mudhalali | Yeri Karaiyin Mele | T. M. Soundararajan | K. V. Mahadevan | He wrote all the 7 songs |
| 1958 | Annaiyin Aanai | Patthu Maadham Sumandhu Annaiyai Pol Oru | T. M. Soundararajan | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | |
| 1960 | Sivagami | Vanil Mulu mathiyai kanden | T. M. Soundararajan | K. V. Mahadevan | |
| 1963 | Thulasi Maadam | Aadum MAyile Aattam Enge | T. M. Soundararajan | K. V. Mahadevan | 3 out of 5 songs were penned by him |

## Death

Ka. Mu. Sheriff died on 7 July 1994.

## In popular culture

Sheriff is briefly portrayed by an uncredited actor in the film Periyar (2007).