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 also wrote 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. A Muslim by birth, Sheriff 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" () in 1948 and between 1952 and 1969 he published two periodicals Saattai and Thamizh Muzhakkam.

Freedom fighter He was a follower of the Congress party freedom struggle and took part in the Quit India Movement in 1942. Later he joined Ma. Po. Si.'s Tamil Arasu Kazhagam and served 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 wrote numerous books on various subjects in Tamil. (Lists of books he authored can be found in :ta:கா. மு. ஷெரீப்).

Lyricist In the 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 Notes1950Manthiri Kumari உலவும் தென்றல் காற்றினிலே and othersG. RamanathanHe is one of the lyricists along with A.Maruthakasi 1950 Digambara Samiyar G. RamanathanS. 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. RamanathanT. 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. RamanathanS. 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 Vaetti Kattina Pombale Sirkazhi Govindarajan & Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi 1955 Mullaivanam Engirundho ingu vandha radhiyeT. M. Soundararajan & (Radha) Jayalakshmi K. V. Mahadevan Sariyendru nee oru 1955 Nalla Thangai Ennai Pole Bhagyasaali Jikki & P. Leela G. Ramanathan Thaene Paage Thevittadha (Radha) Jayalakshmi 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 before 1989.

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

Bibliography

Kavi Ka. Mu. Sheriff

References

External links

கவி கா.மு.ஷெரீப் வலைத்தளம் - திரு. வீரபாண்டியன்