‘Haripad Is My Home; The First Air I Breathed Was Here,’ Says Sreekumaran Thampi

Haripad, Aug. 4: Veteran lyricist, filmmaker and writer Sreekumaran Thampi on Tuesday delivered an emotionally charged tribute to his hometown, saying Haripad had shaped both his life and creative journey, as he inaugurated a seminar organised as part of the Niraputhari Mahotsavam.
Calling Haripad “his home”, Mr. Thampi said his earliest memories, cultural grounding and spiritual convictions were inseparable from the town and its famed Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple.
“This land is my home. The first air I breathed was that of Haripad. My mother heard my first cry here, and my lifelong bond with Lord Velayudhaswamy has remained the greatest strength in my life,” he said.
Describing the Niraputhari festival and the traditional Karthikappally Treasury grain-offering ceremony as enduring symbols of Kerala’s agrarian civilisation, Mr. Thampi said the rituals reflected the intimate relationship that once existed between agriculture, faith and community life.
He recalled the economic hardships of his childhood, saying that while studying at Haripad English School, even the monthly tuition fee of ₹6 had been beyond his family’s means. He noted that the abolition of school fees under a Communist government had brought relief to many students from economically weaker sections.
Reflecting on his career, Mr. Thampi said the struggles of his early years had strengthened his resolve.
“The boy who could not afford to pay school fees went on to produce 26 films, direct 30 films and write lyrics for 88 films. Haripad made me what I am today,” he said.
Mr. Thampi said he had grown up in an environment rooted in temple traditions and credited his mother’s guidance and the blessings of Lord Velayudhaswamy for his achievements. Memories of early morning baths in Perumkulam and visits to the temple, he said, continued to remain among the most cherished moments of his childhood.
Ending his address with a message to the younger generation, he urged them to pursue their dreams with perseverance.
“Dream. Work hard. Dream without sleep. The first air I breathed was that of Haripad,” he said.
The address, marked by reflections on memory, resilience and cultural identity, drew an emotional response from the audience attending the inaugural session of the seminar.