Gireesh was admitted in hospital on Feb. 6 after he suffered a stroke. Doctors operated on him twice but his condition deteriorated and resulted in death.

Gireesh is survived by wife Beena and his two children Dinanath and Jithin.

Gireesh’s life and career
Gireesh was born in Puthenchery near Ulliyeri village in Kozhikode. His father practiced Astrology and Ayurvedic and mother was a Carnatic musician.

Gireesh began his career with film ‘Chakravaalathinappuram’ in 1988. His first hit song came from the movie Johny Walker. He became a household name for the lyrics of Malayalam film, ‘Enquiry’.

Apart from writing film song lyrics, Girish had also written screenplay for the films such as Brahmarakshassu, Pallavoor Devanarayanan and Vadakkunnathan and story for Kinnaripuzhayoram and Melepparambil Aanveedu.

Gireesh's excellence in writing
As a leading lyrist, Gireesh was a force in the Malayalam cinema. In his lifetime he has won many prestigious Kerala State Awards, including the best lyricist of the year for seven times.

For his brilliant work he has also won the prestigious Asianet awards three times for his lyrics.

Gireesh, who penned about 400 film lyrics, has also worked as a governing council member of the Indian Performance Rights Society (IPRS).

He was writing for a film called ‘Raman Police’ where Mohanlal was expected to play the lead role when the unfortunate incident happened.

Some of Gireesh's memorable songs
Some of Gireesh's memorable songs include Harimuraliravum…., from the film Aaran Thamburan, Ethrayo Janmam Nine Njaan Thedunu …, from the film Summer in Bethlehem. Pinnayum Pinnayum Aaro Kinavinte…, from the film Krishnagudiyil Oru Prayanakalathu, Kalbham Tharam Bhagavane…, from the film Vadukkamnathan, Innale Ente Nenjile…, from the film, Balettan and Moovanthi Tazhvarayil…, from the film Kanmadam.