Tue Feb 03 08:13:11 UTC 2026: # Veteran Music Director S. P. Venkatesh Passes Away at 70
The Story: Veteran music director S. P. Venkatesh passed away on February 3, 2026, at the age of 70 at his residence in Chennai. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday in Alapakkam, Chennai. Venkatesh was a highly influential composer, particularly renowned for his contributions to Malayalam cinema’s golden era.
Key Points:
- S. P. Venkatesh died on February 3, 2026, at age 70.
- He began his career as a guitarist in the early 1970s and later became an independent composer in 1981 with the Telugu film Prema Yuddham.
- His breakthrough in Malayalam cinema came with Thampi Kannanthanam’s Rajavinte Makan.
- He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director in 1993 for Paithrukam and Janam, and a Filmfare Award for Paithrukam.
- Venkatesh also worked in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and Bengali films.
Key Takeaways:
- The death of S. P. Venkatesh marks the end of an era for South Indian film music, specifically impacting Malayalam cinema.
- Venkatesh’s successful career spanned multiple decades and languages, highlighting his versatility and influence.
- His contributions to background scores, particularly in films like Devasuram and No. 20 Madras Mail, are especially remembered.
First Piper 