The decade from 1980 to 1990 in Malayalam cinema was a magical period. While the previous decades laid the foundation, the '80s saw the rise of legendary music directors like (as a singer-composer in rare cases), but primarily M. G. Radhakrishnan , Shyam , Raveendran , Johnson , Bombay Ravi , and G. Devarajan (continuing from the 70s). The lyricists — Vayalar Ramavarma , O. N. V. Kurup , Bichu Thirumala , Sreekumaran Thampi , Poovachal Khader — wrote poetry that remains timeless.
Music: Raveendran, Lyrics: O. N. V. Kurup, Singer: K. S. Chithra The song that made Chithra a household name in Malayalam. Simple, sweet, and eternally fresh — a girl’s innocent longing. 1980 to 1990 malayalam songs list
Music: Johnson, Lyrics: O. N. V. Kurup Pure poetry. The song's opening flute and Yesudas’ restrained rendition capture the ache of unspoken love. Johnson’s minimalism became the hallmark of this era. The decade from 1980 to 1990 in Malayalam
Some notable artists who made significant contributions to Malayalam music during this period include: Radhakrishnan , Shyam , Raveendran , Johnson ,
– Olangal (1982) : Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki, this remains one of the most recognizable lullabies in Kerala.
This list is not exhaustive, but it covers many popular and iconic songs from the decade. The 1980s to 1990s was a period of significant growth for Malayalam cinema and music, with many notable films and songs that are still remembered and cherished today.