K. J.

Yesudas
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K. J. Yesudas

Born Kattassery Joseph Yesudas

10 January 1940 (age 78)

Cochin, Kingdom of Cochin, British India

Residence Trivandrum, India

Other names Dasettan

Alma mater Swathi Thirunal College of

Music, Thiruvananthapuram

 Singer
Occupation
 Composer

Years active 1961–present

Spouse(s) Prabha (m. 1970)

Children  Vinod Yesudas

  Vijay Yesudas

 Vishal Yesudas

Awards Padma Vibhushan (2017)

Padma Bhushan (2002)

Padma Shri (1977)

Musical career

Genres  Indian classical music

 Playback singing

 Filmi

Website drkjyesudas.com

Signature

Kattassery Joseph Yesudas (born 10 January 1940) is an Indian musician and film playback
singer. Yesudas sings Indian classical, devotional and cinematic songs. He has recorded more than
40,000 songs in a number of Indian languages,
including Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu as well as Arabic, English, Latin,
and Russian, during a career spanning more than five decades.[1][2]
Yesudas has performed in most Indian languages except for Punjabi, Assamese, Konkani,
and Kashmiri.[3][4] He has also composed a number of Malayalam film songs during the 1970s and
1980s.
Yesudas won the National Award for the Best Male Playback Singer eight times, the Filmfare
Awards five times, and the State Award for the Best Playback Singer forty-three times, including
awards given by the state governments of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
and West Bengal.[1] He was awarded the Padma Shri[5] in 1977, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and
the Padma Vibhushan (second-highest civilian award) in 2017 by the Government of India for his
contributions towards the arts.[6] In 2011 Yesudas was honoured with the CNN-IBN outstanding
achievement award having recorded over 50,000 songs in a five-decade career.[7] In 2006, he sang
16 film songs in four South Indian languages on the same day at AVM Studio, Chennai.[8]

Contents
[hide]

 1Early life
 2Career
o 2.1Debut and early career: 1960s
 o 2.2Bollywood: 1970s
 3Personal life
 4Music company
 5Awards and honours
 6Admiration
 7Controversies
 8Filmography
o 8.1As Actor
 9Discography
 10See also
 11References
 12External links

Early life[edit]
K. J. Yesudas was born in Fort Kochi, in the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin (now Kerala), in a Latin
Catholic Christian family to late Augustine Joseph and late Elizabeth Joseph. His father, a well-
known Malayalam classical musician and stage actor, was his first guru (teacher). Yesudas was the
eldest of five children, and was followed by three younger brothers and a younger sister.
He started his academic music training at R.L.V. Music Academy, Thrippunithura. Later he studied
at Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram under the tutelage of the carnatic music
maestro late Sh. K.R. Kumaraswamy Iyer and the late Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer but could not
complete his studies due to financial constraints. For a brief period, he also studied music under Sri
Vechur Harihara Subramania Iyer, after which he took advanced training from Chembai Vaidyanatha
Bhagavatar. He completed the Ganabooshanam course at R.L.V. Music Academy,
Thripunithura, Cochin and continued studies at Sree Swathithirunal Music
Academy, Trivandrum under the tutelage of the carnatic music maestro late Sh. K.R.Kumaraswamy
Iyer.
In 2011 Yesudas completed his 50 years as a playback singer.

Career[edit]
Debut and early career: 1960s[edit]

Yesudas with poet and lyricist O. N. V. Kurup

Yesudas recorded his first popular song Jaathi Bhedam Matha Dwesham (music: M B Sreenivasan)
on 14 November 1961. However, his first popular song was 'Attention Penne Attention', which he
sang for a Malayalam film with Santha P. Nair, a veteran singer of that time. Thus began his career
in playback singing which included the Malayalam movie Kaalpadukal (1962) and Tamil, Telugu and
Kannada movies thereafter.[2]
He got the first major break with the hit Malayalam film named Bharya ( music by G. Devarajan and
lyrics by Vayalar Ramavarma). In 1967, he sang hit songs in the composition of M.S.Baburaj for the
film Udhyogastha directed by P.Venu. He also sang in Tamil for Bommai first (music: S.
Balachander), but the first released movie was Konjum Kumari (music: Veda). In 1965, he was
invited by the Soviet Union government to perform at music concerts in various cities in
the USSR and also sang a Russian song over Radio Kazakhstan.[9]The trio of Salil, Yesudas
and Prem Nazir entered the Malayalam Cinema Industry of the 1970s.
In 1970 he was nominated to head the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy and was the youngest
person ever to occupy the post.[9]
Bollywood: 1970s[edit]
After a decade of singing in South Indian movies, Yesudas got a break in Bollywood in the early
1970s. The first Hindi song he sang was for the movie Jai Jawan Jai Kissan (1971), but the first
released movie was Chhoti Si Baat, which resulted in his becoming popular for singings songs like
"Jaaneman Jaaneman". He has sung Hindi songs for many leading actors in Hindi cinema
including Amitabh Bachchan, Amol Palekar and Jeetendra. He has sung many evergreen Hindi film
songs for music directors including Ravindra Jain, Bappi Lahiri, Khayyam, Rajkamal and Salil
Chowdhury.
Yesudas' most popular Hindi songs are in the 1976 movie Chitchor, with music given by Ravindra
Jain.
On 14 November 1999, Yesudas was presented with an honorary award by UNESCO for
"Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace" at the "Music for Peace" event in Paris.a concert
held to mark the dawn of the new millennium and whose attendees included artistes such as Lionel
Richie, Ray Charles, Montserrat Caballé, and Zubin Mehta.[10]
In 2001 he sang for album Ahimsa in Sanskrit, Latin and English and in a mix of styles
including new-age and Carnatic.[11] In his music concerts in the Middle East he sings Arabic songs in
the Carnatic style.[12] He frequently serves as a cultural ambassador for India through his
performances abroad, promoting Indian music.
In 2009 Yesudas began a cross-country musical campaign against terrorism in Thiruvananthapuram,
with the motto 'Music For Peace'.[13] Kavita Karkare, wife of Hemant Karkare, handed over the torch
to Yesudas to mark the launch of the 'Shanthi Sangeetha Yatra'.[14] Yesudas has performed for 36
times in the 36-year-old Soorya Music festival organised by Soorya Krishnamoorthy.[15]

Personal life[edit]
Yesudas is married to Prabha at Santa Cruze Basillica Kochi. They have three sons, Vinod, Vijay
and Vishal. Their second son Vijay Yesudas is a musician who won the Kerala State Film Award for
Best Male Playback Singer in 2007 and 2013.[16]
A statue of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar sponsored by Yesudas at Chembai gramam (Kottayi village) in
Palakkad; next to Bhagavatar's house.

Sree Narayana Guru’s great message, "One religion and One God for all humanity", influenced
young Yesudas in his dealings with his fellow men. He had his own heroes among the musicians
too. Mohammed Rafi, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and Balamurali Krishna are the ones he
admires the most.[17] Yesudas has been visiting Kollur Mookambika temple, Kollur, Karnataka on his
birthday to sing keerthans of Saraswati devi, the Goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. The
music festival started on his 60th birthday in 2000. The nine-day music festival begins every January
at Kollur Mookambika Temple. On Sunday, 10 January 2010, he celebrated his 70th birthday
(Sapthathi) at Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple with 'Sangeetharchana' (classical devotional songs),
along with 70 singers before goddess Mookambika. The Sangeetharchana included "Pancharatna
Gayana" of Thyagaraja's poems. He also took part in the Vidyarambha function. All India
Radio broadcast the special Sangeetharchana all over Kerala. Yesudas also has many songs
devoted to Lord Ayyappa including the hit song "Harivarasanam".[18][19][20][21] In 2002, during Marad
massacare, he visited the place along with the veteran poet Sugathakumari, and conducted classes
against violence. Harivarasanam, a devotional song musical version composed by G. Devarajan,
recited before closing the temple at Sabarimala was sung by Yesudas. Though there have been
many different renditions of this song by many different renowned singers, Sabarimala officially uses
Yesudas' voice for Harivarasanam every day.[1]

Music company[edit]
In 1980 Yesudas established the Tharangani Studio at Trivandrum. In 1992 the office and studio
were moved to Chennai, Tamil Nadu and the company was incorporated in the US in 1998.
Tharangni Studio and Tharangni Records became a recording center in Kerala which, for the first
time, brought out audio cassettes of Malayalam film songs in stereo. The record company also had a
voice mixing studio in Studio27, Chennai. The studio continues to produce and present events of
Yesudas both for film and Indian classical music concerts throughout the world.[22]

Awards and honours[edit]

Main article: List of titles, honours and major awards received by Yesudas
Yesudas has recorded over 70,000 songs and has won scores of accolades including the
coveted Padma Shri (1975),[23] Padma Bhushan (2002),[24] Padma Vibhushan (2017)[25] and eight
National Awards for Best Playback Singer. He is the only singer who has been accorded the
title Asthana Gayakan (official singer) of Kerala State.

 National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer a record 8 times
by the Government of India
 Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer a record 25 times for the
best playback singer by the Government of Kerala
 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 5 times for the best playback singer
by the Government of Tamil Nadu
 Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards 4 times for the best playback
singer by the Government of Andhra Pradesh
 Anandalok Best Male Playback Award 1 time for the best playback
singer by the Government of West Bengal
 J. C. Daniel Award from Government of Kerala
 Sangeetha Kalasikhamani, 2002 by The Indian Fine arts Society,
Chennai
  Swaralaya Yesudas award is a prestigious award for music artists in
recognition of their outstanding performance. The award is instituted
jointly by Swaralaya, an organisation that promotes music
and Kairali Channel, based in Trivandrum, Kerala. Awards have
been given annually since 2000. Yesudas presents the awards at
a Gandharva Sandhya every January.[26][27][28]

Admiration[edit]
In his acceptance speech of winning the Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award (2006), AR Rahman said
"I'm greatly honoured by Swaralaya's gesture, and getting this award from my most favourite singer
Mr Yesudas. He is one of my most favourite voices' ever in the world."
Ravindra Jain, in an interview wherein the blind music director confessed that if ever he happened to
regain vision, the first person he would like to see would be Yesudas.
Bappi Lahiri said in an interview with Filmfare in 2012: '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. He is
vastly under-utilised in Hindi films. I wish Hindi film composers of today realise his genius and offer
him assignments."[29]

Controversies[edit]
On 2 October 2014, Yesudas sparked a row while speaking at a public function on the occasion
of Gandhi Jayanthi, where he stated that "Women should not wear jeans and trouble others. You
should dress modestly and do not behave like men". This resulted in a number of protests from
Women's Rights and Political organizations, who asked him to withdraw the comment.[30]
He again hit the news headline by making another controversial statement in 2017 on ‘Selfies’ he
said “boys and girls rubbing shoulders to take selfies’ is not culturally right!”. His statement faced
huge backlash on social media .[1]

Filmography[edit]
As Actor[edit]

Year Film Stars Director Role Language

1965 Kavyamela Prem Nazir M. Krishnan Nair as himself Malayalam

1966 Kayamkulam Kochunni Sathyan P. Bhaskaran as Khader Malayalam

1966 Anarkali[31] Prem Nazir, Sathyan Kunchacko as Tansen Malayalam

1973 Achaani Prem Nazir P. Bhaskaran as singer Malayalam

 1977 Nirakudam Kamalhassan A. Bhimsingh as singer Malayalam

1977 Harshabashpam M. G. Soman P. Gopikumar as singer Malayalam

1980 Saranam Ayyappa Jayabharathi as singer Tamil

1981 Pathira Sooryan Prem Nazir P K Pillai as saint Malayalam

2002 Nandanam Prithviraj Ranjith as himself Malayalam

2005 Boyy Friend Manikuttan Vinayan as himself Malayalam

2012 Theruvu Nakshatrangal Tini Tom Jose Maveily as himself Malayalam

Discography[edit]
Main article: K. J. Yesudas discography
Main article: K. J. Yesudas Tamil Discography

See also[edit]
 Swaralaya Yesudas Award
 List of Carnatic singers
 Harivarasanam

References[edit]
1. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Music legend Yesudas turns 70". The Hindu.
Chennai, India. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b "'I don't sing trendy music'". Rediff. Retrieved 2009-09-
06.
3. Jump up^ "Those magical moments..." Chennai, India: The Hindu. 3
September 2002. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
4. Jump up^ "Life devoted to music". The Hindu. 1 February 2001.
Retrieved 2009-08-19.
5. Jump up^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/padma-
vibhushan-is-another-stepping-stone-for-k-j-
yesudas/articleshow/56789500.cms
6. Jump up^ "Padma Bhushan Awardees – Padma Awards – My India,
My Pride". India.gov.in. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
 7. Jump up^ "Yesudas receives CNN-IBN 'Indian of the Year' award". 17
December 2011. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
8. Jump up^ "One for the records". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 1
December 2006. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
9. ^ Jump up to:a b "CDR K J YESUDAS THE INDIAN PLAYBACK
SINGING LEGEND'S RAGS TO RICHES". stateofkerala.in. Archived
from the original on 5 December 2011.
10. Jump up^ "KJ Yesudas completes 50 glorious years as singer".
Asianet india. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012.
11. Jump up^ "Ahimsa Album". Hinduonnet.com. 19 February 2001.
Retrieved 2011-09-09.
12. Jump up^ Vineet Pillai (15 November 2003). "Exclusive – Interview
with Yesudas on 15th November 2003". Indien-netzwerk.de. Archived
from the original on 31 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
13. Jump up^ "Yesudas' Musical Campaign for peace". oneindia.com. 13
January 2009.
14. Jump up^ "Tributes paid to Hemant Karkare". Chennai, India: The
Hindu. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
15. Jump up^ "Gaanagandharvan graces the Soorya festival for the 36th
time". thiraseela.com.
16. Jump up^ Ajay Gosh. "Dr. KJ Yesudas: Singer With A Golden Voice".
Archived from the original on 22 February 2014.
17. Jump up^ "'I do not sing trendy music': Yesudas". Rediff.com. 7 May
2001. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
18. Jump up^ "Gandharva of songs : K.J Yesudas celebrates 70th
birthday". Non Resident Kerala Associations. Retrieved 2010-05-
01.[dead link]
19. Jump up^ "Yesudas celebrated Birthday at Kollur". Oneindia
Entertainment. 19 January 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July
2012. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
20. Jump up^ PTI (10 January 2012). "Music legend Yesudas turns 72".
Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
21. Jump up^ "Yesudas celebrates 70th birthday in Kollur". The New
Indian Express. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
22. Jump up^ "Dr. K. J. Yesudas". keralatourism.org. Retrieved 18
March 2010.
23. Jump up^ "Padma Shri Awardees". Ministry of Home Affairs.
Retrieved 2014-11-27.
24. Jump up^ "Padma Bhushan Awardees". Ministry of Home Affairs.
Retrieved 2014-11-27.
25. Jump up^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on
29 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
26. Jump up^ "Swaralaya awards presented". The Hindu. 20 January
2003. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
27. Jump up^ "Swaralaya award for Shankar Mahadevan". Chennai,
India: The Hindu. 16 December 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
28. Jump up^ "Tributes paid to Hemant Karkare". Chennai, India: The
Hindu. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
29. Jump up^ "King of Ooh la la land". Retrieved 2016-09-01.
30. Jump up^ "KJ Yesudas: India singer criticised for 'sexist' jeans
remark". BBC News. 2014-10-03. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
31. Jump up^ B. Vijayakumar (31 May 2010). "Anarkali (1966)". The
Hindu. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/national-awards-sridevi-wins-best-actress-posthumously-for-
mom-1837079?pfrom=home-topscroll
External links[edit]
 Official website

Wikimedia Commons has

media related to K. J.
Yesudas.

 K. J. Yesudas on IMDb
 "Article on Yesudas: 'For me music is God'". The Tribune. 15
October 2005.

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Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer

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Filmfare Award South for Lifetime Achievement

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Padma Vibhushan award recipients

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 Padma Bhushan award recipients (2000–2009)

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Categories:
 1940 births
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 Kerala State Film Award winners
  Tamil playback singers
 Malayalam playback singers
 Malayali people
 Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts
 Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts
 Singers from Kochi
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