Vinayak Sasikumar

Vinayak Sasikumar (born 13 June 1994) is an Indian lyricist, who works in Malayalam cinema. Famous for his works in Aavesham, Romancham etc

He was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala to S. Sasikumar and Asha Sasikumar. At the age of 12, he started writing poetry. Later, he moved to Chennai and completed his graduation in Economics from Loyola College, Chennai. He completed his post-graduation from Madras School of Economics. After a span wherein he worked for Ford Motors as a data scientist, he moved to Kochi as a full-time lyricist.

He made his debut as a lyricist in the movie Kutteem Kolum directed by Guinness Pakru. Later in the year 2013, he wrote songs for the movie Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi^[1] directed by Sameer Thahir. The songs composed by Rex Vijayan, went on to become top hits. In 2013, he worked for the movie North 24 Kaatham, directed by Anil Radhakrishnan Menon. In 2014, he wrote songs for the movie 7th Day, directed by Syamdhar. His next movie was Sapthamashree Thaskaraha. Vinayak wrote the themes of central characters in the Amal Neerad film Iyobinte Pusthakam later in 2014.^[2] However, his big break came in 2016 with the films Guppy and Karinkunnam 6's. The songs of Guppy were critically acclaimed and went on to become top hits. His major 2017 releases include Ezra(1 Song:irulu neelum), Godha, The Great Father, Parava, Pullikkaran Staraa and Mayaanadhi(2 Songs: Kaattil and Uyirin Nadiye).^[3][4]

He later had a breakout year in 2019 with the hits "Aaradhike", "Njan Jackson Allada" from the Soubin Shahir starrer Ambili, "Pavizha Mazha" from the Fahadh Faasil starrer Athiran and "Minni Minni" from the film June. He was also a part of critically acclaimed films like Kumbalangi Nights, Helen and Kettiyolaanu Ente Malagha. The same year, he wrote and directed a musical short 'Hi Hello Kaadhal' starring Sarjano Khalid and Gouri Kishan,^[5] in which he penned a Tamil language song titled "Vellai Poove" that became a hit. In 2020 & 2021, he wrote songs for notable films like Drishyam 2, Nayattu, Kappela, Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam, Trance etc.

In the Mammootty-starrer film Bheeshma Parvam, he wrote the acclaimed "Parudeesa" and "Rathipushpam" that were sensational hits overnight. Later that year, he turned an English lyricist for the Jeethu Joseph film 12th Man. Vinayak was also the lyricist of A.R. Rahman's comeback Malayalam film - the Fahadh Faasil starrer survival drama Malayankunju.^[6][7][8] The subsequent months gave him more success with the songs of Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey and Romancham going viral. "Santhe Soumye" from Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey and "Aadharanjali" from Romancham became social media trendsetters.^[9][10]

In 2024, he penned 8 tracks for the blockbuster film Aavesham starring Fahadh Faasil. Most of the tracks, went viral across South India and even made into select official global viral charts. Illuminati - one of the tracks from the film became an instant sensation and was widely appreciated for the lyrics. He also continued the success stories for the other hit films of the year like Manjummel Boys, Guruvayoorambala Nadayil and Turbo.

List of Songs^[11]

1. Best Lyricist 2019 - Mazhavil Music Awards^[39]
2. Best Malayalam Lyricist 2018 - SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards)^[40]
3. Best Malayalam Lyricist 2019 - SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards)^[41]
4. Best Lyricist of the Year 2019 - Asianet Film Awards^[42]

^[1]