The musical maestro has recorded more than 80,000 songs in 14 languages, including Arabic, Latin, and Russian. He has been in the industry for over 60 years.
Legendray playback singer KJ Yesudas is celebrating his 84th birthday on 9 January. (Supplied)
Legendary playback singer Dr Kattiserry Joseph Yesudas is celebrating his 84th birthday on Wednesday, 10 January, Wednesday. He is popular as “Ganagandharvan” Celestial Singer in the Malayalam film industry.
The musical maestro has recorded more than 80,000 songs in 14 languages, including Arabic, Latin, and Russian. He has been in the industry for over 60 years.
The veteran singer usually celebrates his birthday at Kollur Mookambika Temple. But he won’t be visiting the temple in Karnataka as he is currently residing in Dallas, USA.
After the COVID-19 outbreak, Yesudas shifted to the US. He last visited the Mookambika Temple in 2020.
Dr Yesudas started learning Carnatic music at five. He delivered his first stage performance at the age of 12. He got a break in the Malayalam film, Kaalpadukal (1962).
The ace musician has won eight National Awards and 25 state awards, a record in itself. He has also been conferred with Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
Even though Yesudas is not in his homeland, TV channels and musicians in Kerala are busy organising special programmes for the veteran singer.
Meanwhile, I’m making a humble attempt to list out the most favourite Malayalam songs sung by the Celestial Singer.
“Manushyan Mathangale Shristhichu” (Human-Made Religion) from the 1972 movie Achanum Bappayum is considered a thoughtful song even today.
The lyrics give an insight into how human beings made religion and Gods were made by people in the name of religion.
In one of the lines, the lyrics note: “Human beings turned into Hindus, Christians, and Muslims and they couldn’t be recognised anymore!”
In another line, the song attributes religion to the growing violence.
G Devarajan composed the music and Vayalar Ramavarma penned the lyrics.
“Sukhamo Devi” is a popular song from the Malayalam film Sugamo Devi (1986). It was composed by Raveendran and sung by Yesudas.
The movie featured Mohanlal, Shankar, Geetha, and Urvashi in the lead roles. It had some melodious tunes, which are still the favourites of music lovers.
“Vaisakha Sandhye” is a romantic song from the 1987 film Nadodikkattu. The duet song is sung by Yesudas and KS Chithra.
The song visualised the romance between the characters played by Mohanlal and Sobhana.
It is still crooned by new-age singers during several music shows.
Directed by Sathyan Anthikad, Nadodikattu was a super hit Malayalam movie and the songs complemented it.
“Nee En Sarga Soundaryame” is an evergreen song from the Malayalam movie Kathodu Kathoram (1985) sdirected by Bharathan.
The lyrics of the song were written by ONV Kurup and the music was composed by Ouseppachan.
The song was sung by Yesudas and Lathika.
Set against the backdrop of a Church choir, the song featured the lead actors — Mammootty and Sarika.
“Harimuraleeravam” from the Mohanlal-starrer Aaram Thampuran (1999) is a soothing tune composed by Raveendran and sung by Yesudas.
The original version of the song is about seven minutes duration.
Yesudas won his 21st Kerala State Film Award For Best Male Playback Singer for this soundtrack.
The lyrics were penned by Gireesh Puthenchery.
The song was composed mostly in “Sindhu Bhairavi Raga“. It is a popular song among music lovers.
It is a difficult rendition to sing due to its fine composition.
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