M. K. Arjunan

He is also credited with giving A. R. Rahman his first musical break by giving him a chance to play keyboards in a film. He died on 6 April 2020, at Kochi, Kerala.

His last film was Vellaram Kunnile Vellimeenukal, with songs written by Rajeev Alunkal. His last music composition was on 2019 December for Sreek Music's three love songs written by lyricist Sreekanth M Girinath He died at his home at 3:30 AM IST on 6 April 2020, aged 84, and was cremated with full state honours at Palluruthy crematorium on the same day. Due to COVID-19, his funeral was conducted under strict protocols.

Arjunan's first movie as a composer was Karuthapurnami, released in 1968. His association with the leading lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi in almost 50 films was one of the most prolific composer-lyricist partnerships in Malayalam film industry.

M. K. Arjunan (Malayalam: എം.കെ. അർജുനൻ; 1 March 1936 – 6 April 2020) was an Indian film and theatre composer, known for his works in Malayalam cinema and the theatre of Kerala. He was fondly referred to as Arjunan Master.

Arjunan was born at Chirattapalam in Fort Kochi (now part of India) on 1 March 1936 as the youngest of 14 children born to Kochukunju and Paru, among whom only four survived childhood. He lost his father at a young age and his mother (Parvathi), unable to provide for all her children, sent Arjunan and his brother, Prabhakaran, to Jeevakarunyananda Ashram at Palani where Arjunan got his first lessons in music. After school, the students would sing bhajans; his singing led the head of the ashram to give him music lessons. For the next few years Arjunan learned music Kumarayya Pillai. He later learnt music under K.N Vijayarajan Master.