P. Padmarajan () (23 May 1945 – 24 January 1991) was a Malayalam based author, screenwriter, and filmmaker acclaimed for his fine and detailed screenwriting and expressive direction style. Padmarajan made some of the landmark motion pictures in Malayalam cinema, including masterpieces like Oridaththoru Phayalvaan (1981), Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil (1986), Kariyila Kattu Pole (1986), Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986), Thoovanathumbikal (1987) and Moonnam Pakkam (1988).

Early life

Born at Muthukulam near Haripad in Onattukara, Alleppey, he was the sixth son of Thundathil Anantha Padmanabha Pillai and Njavarakkal Devaki Amma. After early schooling at Muthukulam, he studied at M. G. College and University College, Trivandrum, graduating in Chemistry (1963). Subsequently, he learned Sanskrit from the scholar Cheppad Achyutha Warrier at Muthukulam. He then joined All India Radio, Trichur (1965), starting as a programme announcer, and later settled at Poojappura, Trivandrum (1968); he would remain at AIR until 1986, when his busy involvement in films would prompt him to retire voluntarily.