Well known Malayalam film music director KJ Joy passes away
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Well-known Malayalam music director K J Joy died on Monday at his residence in Chennai, film industry sources said. He was 77 years old. Joy, known as the first 'techno musician' in the Malayalam film music world for his use of instruments like the keyboard in the 1970s, had been bedridden for some time following a stroke, the sources said.
His funeral will be held in Chennai on Wednesday, they said. The FEFKA Directors Union and Malayalam playback singer-cum-composer M G Sreekumar, condoled his death.
"My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace," Sreekumar said in his condolence message on Facebook.
Joy, born in 1946 at Nellikunnu in Thrissur district of Kerala, composed music for more than two hundred films during his decades long career in the film industry.
He made his debut in the Malayalam cinema in 1975 and since then he was the architect of many songs that captivated and enthralled people. It was Joy's experiments that led to a drastic change in the Malayalam film music scene and he also gained attention for his music direction in films starring Jayan.
He also composed many eternal youth songs, including the very hit song 'En Swaram Poovittum Ganame', that people cherish to this day.
Some of the over two hundred films he composed music for are: Ivan Ende Priyaputran, Chandanachola, Aradhana, Snehayamuna, Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootham, Lisa Madalasa, Sayujyam, Itha Oru Theeram, Anupallavi, Sarpam, Shakti, Hridyam Padunnu, Chandrahasam, Manushya Mrigam and Karimpucha.
He had also worked as an assistant in more than 500 films for various music directors.
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Karnataka: Home Department asks motorists to drive on highways with caution to avoid robbery
Belagavi: The Home Department has advised motorists to stay alert while travelling on national and state highways, warning that gangs involved in robbery and extortion have been active in several stretches. It said people should be extra cautious if anyone tries to stop their vehicle in isolated areas.
Replying to an unstarred question on Thursday, the department said Karnataka has recorded 403 highway robbery cases in the past three years. According to the data, national highways saw 81 extortion and 23 robbery cases in 2023, followed by 66 extortion and 16 robbery cases in 2024. Until November 15 this year, 51 extortion and 14 robbery cases have been reported.
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On state highways, 39 extortion and 17 robberies were reported in 2023, while 2024 saw 35 extortion and 22 robbery cases. In 2025 so far, 20 extortion and 19 robbery cases have taken place. The department noted that curbing highway robberies remains a major challenge for the police.
To tackle the issue, police stations have been directed to set up regular checkpoints on stretches of highways passing through their limits. Suspicious individuals and vehicles are being checked. Two-wheelers have been allocated to every station for night patrol, and staff have been instructed to conduct night rounds using vehicles fitted with sirens and red lights.
