Yusufali Kechery

Yusufali Kechery (Yūsaphali Kēccēri; യൂസഫലി കേച്ചേരി 16 May 1934 – 21 March 2015) was a poet, film lyricist, film producer and director from Kerala, India. He wrote during the modern era of Malayalam poetry and won the Odakkuzhal Award, the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and the Vallathol Award. K. P. Narayana Pisharody was Kechery's Sanskrit teacher and taught him free of cost for four years. Kechery's poetry works include Sainaba, Aayiram Navulla Mounam, Anchu Kanyakakal, Nadabhramam, Amrithu, Kecheri Puzha, Anuragagaanam Pole, Aalila, Kadhaye Premicha Kavitha, Perariyatha Nombaram and Ahaindavam. He also directed the films Vanadevatha (1977) and Neelathamara (1979). He wrote the lyrics for the songs in the film Dhwani, which were composed by musician Naushad. In 2000 he was awarded a National Award for a Sanskrit song written for the Malayalam film Mazha (Rain).