Similar to many Hindi singers, few Hindi and other language music directors have also composed music for Malayalam movies. The prominent ones among them are; Usha Khanna, Naushad, Ilaya Raja and Ravi Bombay. As music started to become an essential ingredient in Malayalam movies, so did demand for qualified music directors. 
Initial music directors helped in defining the directions for Malayalam music. The names which come to mind are; K. Raghavan, V.Dakshinamurthy, M.S. Babu Raj and G.Devarajan. Malayalam music owes a lot to these eminent music directors for composing moving tunes. All of them came into prominence in early 50’s and 60s and gave much needed boost to kerala movie industry.

Other famous Malayalam music directors are;

  • M. Jayachandran
  • Shyam
  • Jhonson
  • Bombay Ravi and
  • Ilayaraja

M. Jayachandran is one of the most popular music directors in kerala. He is credited to win many state awards for composing and once even for singing. His musical renditions are quite melodious and he commands a large fan following. He learned the nuances of music under the guidance of Mr. G.Devarajan, one of the all time musical greats.

Shyam is another well known music director in south India. He has composed music for few other regional languages apart from Malayalam movies. He made his debut with ‘Maanyasree Viswamitran’ and thereafter has given many chartbusters like Devatharu poothu, Thozhuthu madangum, Mynaagam, Sruthiyil ninnuyarum, Sarathkala sandhya, Ambili manavati, Karu karuthoru etc.

Credited to produce great musical hit movies like Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Oru minnaaminungintaey nurunguvettam, Thoovanathumbikal, Perumthachan and Nombarathipoovu, Johnson has a great reputation in Malayalam music scenario. He is an expert at blending melodious Indian music with western classical music.

Bombay Ravi has given many melodious tunes in movies like Vaishali, Panchagni, Nakakshathangkal, Sumangalee Bhava, Sukrutham, Kalivaakku, Sargam, Vidhyarambham, Parinayam, oru vadakkan veeragatha, Mayookham and Padheyam to name a few. He is admired for his simple music mixed with expressive power of emotions.

Ilayaraja is one of the all time greats in Indian music industry. He has not only given music in Malayalam movies but in Hindi, Tamil and Telgu movies as well. Maestro Ilayaraja is famous for producing wonderful fusion of Indian instruments with western classical music. Master of carnatic ragas, he has won many national and international awards.