Padma Vibhushan Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is one of the most heard playback singers down south lending his voice to more than 80,000 songs in several Indian languages which include Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Bengali, Odia. The maestro’s voice has also complimented songs in foreign languages of Arabic, Latin, and Russian. People from Kerala still cherish all his contributions to Malayalam songs.
Born in Kochi on 10th January 1940 to a well-known Malayalam classical musician and stage actor Augustine Joseph, young Yesudas the eldest kid found himself a Guru right at his home. K.J began his journey early by studying music academically at the R.L.V Music Academy, Thrippunithura.
A record eight times best male playback National Awardee Yesudas became a popular voice for Malayalam songs after his song ‘Attention Penne Attention’ which he sang in association with veteran singer Santha P.nair. He, however, had his first major break with the hit film Bharya and then went on voicing numerous Malayalam songs.
While his work for Malayalam songs had been commendable, Yesudas also sang evergreen songs in Tamil and gave Bollywood many big hits. In the early 1970s, Yesudas made his presence felt in Bollywood with hit songs like “ Jaaneman Jaaneman” and “Gori Tera Gaon Bada”.
You could now download Malayalam songs featuring Yesudas from the Saregama Music store and make a playlist of all the Malayalam songs by the legend. The contribution of K.J Yesudas to the Indian music industry is magnificent. His voice is adored and loved all over the country.
In 1999, K.J Yesudas was presented with an honorary award by UNESCO for “Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace” at the “Music for Peace” event in Paris in the presence of legendary artists like Lionel Richie, Ray Charles and Zubin Mehta.
With his rich voice, Yesudas enriched many Indian classical, devotional and cinematic songs. In a five-decade-long career, this absolute legend became the voice of thousands of Malayalam songs and made a mark on listener’s minds all over the country. CNN-IBN also greeted the singer with an outstanding achievement award for his contribution to the art of music. K.J Yesudas is the only singer who has been accorded the title of Asthana Gayakan of Kerala State.
The entire music industry spread all over the country has many regards for Yesudas. In an Interview in 2012, Bappi Lahiri said “ ‘Yesudas’ voice is touched by God. After Kishoreda, he was another singer who brought out the best in me. He is a yogi, a mystic who lives for music. He takes your tunes to another level. And his note is perfect, you can rely on him to deliver it right the first time. Working with him made me touch base with my melodious side.”
Some of the famous Malayalam songs sung by K.J Yesudas are:
Kaattu Tharattum from the movie ‘ Ahimsa’ (1982), Manushyan Mathangale from the movie ‘ Achanum Bayuppum’(1972), Padmatheerthame Unaroo from ‘Gayathri’, Aayiravallithan from ‘Asheervaadam’ (1977), Malarum Kiliyum Oru from the movie ‘Attakkalasam’ (1983) 6. Raajeevam Vidarum Nin Mizhikal from the blockbuster ‘Belt Mathai’ (1983) and many more.
This January, legendary singer K.J Yesudas turns 80 and his contributions towards music is like a blessing to music lovers all over the country.
You can now download Malayalam songs by Padma Vibhushan K.J Yesudas from the Saregama Music store.
The Carvaan Mini Malayalam Legends is a music player with 351 Malayalam songs by legendary Malayalam artists like K.J Yesudas, G.Devarajan, MS Baburaj and many more. Enjoy ad-free Malayalam songs with Saregama Carvaan Mini: Malayalam Legends.