Kottayam: Lyricist and poet Beeyar Prasad passed away at Changanassery on Wednesday. He was 62.

He had been ailing for the past few years. He had undergone a kidney transplant in 2019 and was battling for life after a brain haemorrhage last November.

A multi-talented person, Prasad wrote lyrics for close to 60 films in Malayalam. He is the author of more than 40 plays including eight professional dramas.

The play 'Shadkala Govindamarar' won the top award at the Thiruvananthapuram Drama Competition.

He has also written many librettos for Kathakali.

He debuted in the Malayalam film industry through the 2003 movie 'Kilichundan Mambazham' directed by Priyadarshan. The music was composed by Vidyasagar.

He also wrote songs for movies such as 'Jalolsavam', 'Pattanathil Sundaran', 'Vettam' and 'Vamanapuram Bus Route', among others. 

Notable songs include 'Onnamkili ponnankili', 'Keranirakaladum oru haritha charutheeram', 'Mazhathullikal pozjanjeedumee nadan vazhi.'

When AIR selected 10 songs, written after the state was formed and best featured Kerala's flavour, Prasad's 'Keranirakaladum' was ranked second.

A native of Mankompu in Alappuzha, Prasad has also set his mark as a TV anchor for 15 years.  In 1993, he scripted the movie Johny, which won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Children's Film.

He has written about 200 songs for films and music albums. He has also written a novel 'Chandraolsavam.

Prasad is survived by his wife Sanitha Prasad, a son and a daughter.