Born: 10th January 1940
The only way I can write about someone like Kattassery Joseph Yesudas ( KJY) is by making it into a series. Otherwise, how can one do justice to an artist who has sung around 50,000 songs, in a career spanning six decades, and won innumerable awards. Padma Sri in 1975, Padma Bhushan in 2002 , Padma Vibhushan in 2017, eight National Award for best male playback singing , various State Film Awards for Best Singer, Filmfare awards and a lifetime achievement award- the list goes on.
Above all these awards he has an immense fan following across the country. Popularly called as KJ Yesudas, Jesudass, affectionately Dasettan and also referred to as a Gaana Gandharvan ( Celestial singer) , he has been most prolific in the South Indian film music and has also sung some excellent songs in Hindi films , apart from few other Indian languages.
KJY has the unique blend of a mellifluous voice , with a rich tone and with a strong training in classical music , what we listeners get to hear is pure honey-laced music. The impact he made with his singing can be understood by just this anecdote. The noted music director & lyricist in Hindi films , Ravindra Jain was blind and he had composed many hit songs for KJY. Once he had said that if at all his vision is restored, the first person he would like to see would be KJY!.
Born on 10th January , 1940 to Augustine Joseph & Elizabeth Jospeh, in Kochi, Kerala, his father’s friend, Musician Kunjan Velu Bhagavathar was the first guru for him. Yesudas completed the Ganabooshanam course at R. L. V. Music Academy, Thrippunithura. Later, due to financial constraints , he could partially complete his training under the tutelage of the Carnatic music maestro K. R. Kumaraswamy Iyer and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer at Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram. For a brief period, he also studied music under Vechoor Harihara Subramania Iyer, and then he took advanced training from Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.
Having made his debut , with the song: Jaathi Bhedam Matha Dwesham that was written by the venerable Shree Narayana Guru & music composed by the veteran music director M B Sreenivasan, he had his first major break with the Malayalam film Bharya, for which music was composed by G Devarajan. He would then go on to have a glorious career in the Malayalam film music and would inspire many singers in Kerala to follow his footsteps. My blogs are restricted to Hindi & Tamil film songs and hence I am not going into his Malayalam songs where he became the numero uno.
In Tamil he had his first song under the baton of veteran Veena Vidwan S Balachandar for the off-beat film Bommai ( 1964) that was also directed by him. However, that film got released later and his first released song was Aasai Vantha Pinne that he sang as a duet with B Vasantha for the film Konjum Kumari ( 1963) for which music was composed by Veda. Both these did not give any fame to him and he had to wait for the film Kadalikka Neramillai that brought him some attention.
As I had mentioned at the very beginning , it will be impossible to write about his songs in one or two blogs. It has to definitely run into many parts. In this blog I am trying to showcase only the early two decades ( 1963 to 1983) of KJY’s Tamils songs alone, with a promise to continue the series in future. His rich collection of songs in Hindi would be the topic of a separate blog by me in future.
I have made a humble attempt to write about 27 songs from the early two decades ( roughly 1963-82) , splitting them into 7 from the first decade and 20 songs in the next decade . The usual disclaimer always holds good-these may not be everyone’s favourite. I have tried to list out songs that showcases the different moods in KJY’s singing and also tried to pick them from a diverse set of music directors. Of course, my personal favourites could have over-ruled the popular ones !
Sequencing is chronological, based on year of film’s release , with film , year, song, music composer, lyricist and co-singers listed in that order.
The first decade….1964-73
His initial songs in the films Bommai , Konjum Kumari almost went unnoticed. Then came the super-hit film Kadalikka Neramillai in the year 1964 in which two songs of KJY were well received : Nenjathai alli konjam tha and Yenna Paarvai Unthan Paarvai. During the early years of struggle, KJY sang some excellent songs , but still, did not get noticed in a big way. His moment of glory started with the iconic song “ Deivam Thantha Veedu “ in the year 1974. However, to my great surprise , as I sat down to write this blog , I came across many forgotten gems which he sang in the initial few years. I am sure many of his fans would love to hear them. Some of the rare gems from that period are:
- Kathalikka Neramillai-1964-Yenna Paarvai Unthan Parvai-Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy-Kannadasan-Duet with P Susheela
The two duets in this film remain the most popular among the listeners from his early films. The visuals evoke nostalgic memories for those born and brought up in Chennai of ‘60’s, with a serene Marina beach looking so clean & beautiful!
2. Marakka Mudiyuma-1966-Vasantha Kalam Varumo–T.K. Ramamoorthy-Suratha- P Susheela-humming by KJY
One can wonder why I included this song in a blog about KJY because he has only a background humming throughout the song. But for two reasons I included this-this was the first film that T. K. Ramamoorthy composed independently after his separation from M S Vishwanathan and also due to the fact that songs that have a male singer humming along the lead female singer are relatively rare. And above all the third reason is that it a forgotten gem and is truly worth mentioning. The humming of KJY enhances Susheela’s excellent rendition. One can say this was one of the best ever composition of T.K Ramamoorthy as an independent composer ( he composed just around 15 films after his split from MSV ) and sadly this song was deleted from the film after having been included originally, after 5 days of running. When I heard this for the first time while researching for this blog, I was simply mesmerized by the tune and the talam pattern-really sad that it did not get the due it richly deserved.
3. Thulabaram-1969-Kaatrinile Perum Kaatrinile- G Devarajan-Kannadasan
Originally made in Malayalam under the same title, this film had two great songs-this one by KJY and a duet by TMS & P Susheela-Poonjittu Kannangal . G Devarajan was well known for melodious tunes. KJY brings out the pathos in the song so well , especially with the alaap in the interludes.
4. Kalyana Oorvalam-1970-Koonthalile Nei thadavi-R Parthasarathi-Vaali-Duet with S Janaki
A very obscure music director-R Parthasarathi and an equally rare situation for a song where an uncle ( Chittappa) who brings up his brother’s daughter dreams of giving her away in marriage. Nagesh plays the Chittappa role and is a sublime melody with KJY’s voice having a raw emotional appeal. I always have a special liking to the melodious voice of S Janaki in her very early days.
5. Jeeva Nadi-1970-Aruvi Magal Alai Osai-V Dakshinamoorthy-Vaali- Duet with Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
While researching for the early songs of KJY , I kept discovering more and more unheard gems. Another rare combination of Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi singing a duet with KJY , composed by the legendary Dakshinamoorthy ’ swami’ – as he was reverently called . I am not an expert in identifying the raagam, but as per information available in the Net , this is set in Saaranga ragam.
6. Annai Velankanni-1971-Vaanam Yenum Veedhiyile- G Devarajan-Kannadasan-Duet with Madhuri
The veteran composer from Malayalam films G Devarajan comes out with yet another evergreen classic for KJY from this hit film that had many leading actors playing cameo roles.
7. Karumbu -1973-Thingal Maalai Venkudayan -Salil Chowdhury-from the Tamil literary classic Silappathikaram written by Ilango Adigal.
Probably one of the oldest ever lyrics taken for a film-from the ancient Tamil literary classic Silappathikaram written by Ilango Adigal. Once I came across this song, I found this simple but melodious tune very soothing. Music was composed by the great Salil Chowdhury ( who later on gave KJY a super hit song in Hindi films-Jaaneman Jaaneman). Whatever I could gather from the Internet sources is that the film Karumbu was either unreleased or had a very short run. With direction by Ramu Kariat ( of Chemmeen fame), a Malayalee, music composed by a Bengali and another Malayalee singing lyrics from a Tamil epic with flawless diction. What a great combination and justifies the fact that music transcends language barriers !
This is taken from the Kaanal Vari -the song of the oasis-from Silappathikaram and is in chaste Tamizh of Sangam times. The interpretation of this song is complex and presently beyond the scope of this blog.
The second decade….1974-83
The years 1973-74 were a turning point for KJY. He finally “ arrived” in the Tamil film music world. With MGR’s midas touch falling upon KJY , he had a hit song in Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban-Thanga Thoniyile . And then came the song that finally ensured that there was no looking back for KJY-the most famous Deivam Thantha Veedu Veethi Irukku, penned by the great Kavignar Kannadasan and melodiously tuned by the veteran MSV. This was followed by another scintillating classical one : Athisaya Raagam from the 1975 film Apoorva Ragangal . Finally, the public got hooked on to this great singer and his glorious journey continued after these super-hit songs.
- Aval Oru Thodarkathai-1974-Deivam Thantha Veedu-M.S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
Should I say anything about this song that is well known to everyone in Tamil Nadu? It is just a timeless classic with Kaviarasar going all out in capturing the philosophy of life , a captivating tune that mesmerizes us till today and above all a rendition that etched KJY’s name in golden letters in Tamil film music.
2. Apoorva Ragangal -1975-Athisaya Raagam Ananda Raagam-M.S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
After almost struggling between the years 1963-1974 in Tamil films , KJY finally got going in the 70’s. One after the other he started giving some iconic songs that made him a household name in T.N. Composed by MSV in a very rare Mahati raagam and then ending it with Bhairavi. It is said that MSV took the help of noted classical singer M. Balamuralikrishna who had suggested this raagam which he had created in a tetra tonic scale ( only four notes).
3. Swami Ayyappan-1975-Harivarasanam Vishwamohanam-G Devarajan-Kambankudi Kulathu Iyer/Konnakathu Janaki Amma
The famous devotional song on Swami Ayyappan is very closely associated with KJY . I could see in the Internet that the credit for writing this is having some ambiguity and so I have mentioned both the names I could see. Anyone knowledgeable can throw some light on this. KJY later on was advised that the word “ Arivimarthanam” should in fact be split into Ari & Vimarthanam and he used to sing with the corrected version later on.
4. Then Sindhude Vaanam-1975-Unnidam Mayangugiren-V Kumar-Vaali
One of the most under-rated music composers, V Kumar came out with this masterpiece of a song, that KJY rendered so beautifully. The piano used in this song is simply exceptional. Thanks to Ms Subashree Thanikachalam for giving lot of background information about this song in her QFR YouTube series- I could know that the person who played the piano is Trevor Fernandes. The song has a ghazal feel with superb western style orchestration. One more interesting fact about this song is that originally SPB was supposed to sing this but due to his tight schedule at that time he could not and it went to KJY. KJY himself considered this song among his topmost ones.
5. Bhadrakali-1976-Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandai-Ilayaraja- Vaali-Duet with P Susheela
An iconic song that , when it was released , used to be heard almost daily in radio- those days it was the only source for many to listen to film songs. This could have been the first Tamil song of KJY in Ilayaraja’s music. A lilting romantic duet sung as a lullaby between a husband & wife that remains evergreen even today.
6. Manmatha Leelai-1976-Manaivi Amaivathellam-M.S. Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
It seems Kannadasan wrote this specially for MSV , not only as a lyricist, but as his close friend . KJY takes us through the intricate alaapanais with so much ease that only if we listen intently, we can appreciate how much effort he must have actually put in to make it appear so smooth for us!
7. Mogam Muppathu Varsham-1976-Yenadhu Vaazhkai Pathayil-Vijaya Bhaskar-Kannadasan
Music director Vijay Bhaskar was very much known for excellent scores in Kannada films. He had even assisted the veterans like Naushad and Madan Mohan in Hindi films. Although he had scored music for very few Tamil films , many of them were great melodies and well known. In this song , KJY as usual renders a masterpiece with the typical play of words by Kannadasan-“எண்ணெய் இல்லை ஒன்றிலே , என்ன இல்லை ஒன்றிலே.”
One more song that has a superb piano playing along.
8. Neethikku Thalaivanangu-1976-Intha Pachhai Kilikkoru-M.S Vishwanathan-Pulamaipithan
Towards the later part of his career, MGR started giving opportunities to both SPB and KJY . Most of the songs KJY sang for MGR were super hits ( as such MGR was known for his great music sense). This lullaby is one of the best from the team of MSV-MGR-KJY.
9. Oru Oothappu Kan Chimittugirathu-1976- Nalla Manam Vaazhga-V Dakshinamoorthy -Kumaradevan
V Dakshinamurthy swamigal ( as he is always reverentially referred to) had scored many songs for KJY in Malayalam and in Tamil films also they had come out with certain classics like this one. He had made the raagam Kalyana Vasantham popular in film songs with this “ Nalla Manam Vaazhga.” Written by a relatively unknown lyricist Kumaradevan , this remains one of KJY ‘s immortal songs.
The orchestration is simply out of the world.
10. Vaazhvu En Pakkam-1976-Veenai Pesum Athai Meetum- M.S Vishwanathan- Kannadasan- Humming by B S Sashirekha
The decade of ’70 saw KJY coming out with some of his career best songs. Some, inexplicably fade away from public’s memory. Like this one gem of a song that most would have forgotten. I hope my inclusion here will be liked by many fans of KJY. A superb melody!
11. Meenava Nanban-1977-Thangathil Mugameduthu-M.S Vishwanathan-Muthulingam-Duet with Vani Jayaram
One more super hit song from the team of MGR-MSV & KJY , this time joined by another legend -Vani Jayaram. When two classically trained singers sing together it is sheer pleasure to hear them take us through a song with so much of ease. MSV’s percussion is out of the world, especially those short pauses just before the start of interludes .
12.Andaman Kaathali-1978-Andamanai Paarungal Azhagu-M.S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan- Duet with Vani Jayaram
The composer and singers remain the same , with a difference that it is now for another legend-Sivaji Ganesan. Whenever duets of KJY and VJ are talked about, this one will be at the top. A special mention should be made on the mind-boggling use of guitar and mandolin by MSV. When the times were changing with new music directors & style of compositions coming in , MSV used to prove with songs like this that he was still the king!
13. Aval Appadithan-1978-Oravugal Thodarkathai- Ilayaraja-Gangai Amaran
Ilayaraja brought out the multi-faceted singing of KJY , especially with songs that have a western feel. This one from an offbeat film Aval Appadithan can be considered as a precursor as two years down the line another famous song from the same team would come out :Yen Iniya Pon Nilave from Moodu Pani. The orchestration, especially the piano & flute in this song defines the quintessential maestro , Ilayaraja. This will be among the topmost songs for both IR & KJY.
14. Mullum Malarum- 1978-Senthazham Poovil -Ilayaraja-Kannadasan
At the very beginning , that fabulous humming by KJY sets the tone for this song. One of IR’s finest orchestrations that literally takes you through a musical road trip , with Kaviarasar’s fantastic lines and KJY’s soft-as-velvet voice caressing you gently.
15. Kavariman-1979-Brova Bharama Raghurama-Ilayaraja-Thyagaraja Swamigal
I remember when this film was released , this song used to be heard regularly in radio. After many years looks like it is totally forgotten now. Long before IR and K Balachandar team came up with several classical numbers in the film Sindhu Bhairavi, this was a rare Carnatic classical kriti of Saint Thyagaraja used in a film song. Even the famous Telugu film Shankarabharanam that had Carnatic classical music as its mainstay came in the next year.
16. Moodupani-1980-Yen Iniya Pon Nilave-Ilayaraja-Gangai Amaran
The full credit goes to Ilayaraja for bringing out a different style of singing from KJY. It remains a favourite with almost all till today. A classic guitar song of IR, with KJY freaking out with those “ da dara da da daaaaa” intricacies!
17. Thai Pongal-1980-Theertha Karaithanile Shenbaga Pushpangale-Ilayaraja- M.G Vallaban-Duet with Jency
There have been many songs that have somehow got into the “ now -forgotten category” . This is a superb one , with KJY scaling the higher octaves with so much ease. A curious co-incidence-the following lines have a connection to the song # 7 in the first section ( the song from Silappathikaram-Thingal Maalai Venkudayan).
காவிரி ஓரமாய் கோவலன் காதலி
பூவிழி மாதவி காதலில் பாடிய
கானல் வரி சுகம் தேடிடும் நெஞ்சங்களே கொஞ்சவா
18. Koil Pura-1981-Vedam Nee Iniya Natham Nee-Ilayaraja-Pulamaipithan
Give a song with a strong classical base to KJY and he just turns it into a timeless classic. With IR always having that expert touch of combining a classical tune with the innovative orchestration that he is well known for, what else can one want? Veenai, Violin, Flute, Mridangam all become magical instruments for the maestro and he compresses a full-fledged classical concert effect into a 4-minute film song. And who else to give full justice to the song except the Gaana Gandharvan?
This is supposed to the first time the raagam “ Goulai” was used in a Tamil film song.
19. Ananda Raagam-1982-Megam Karukuthu Mazhai-Ilayaraja-Panju Arunachalam- Alongwith S Janaki & Ilayaraja
KJY proves he can pull off a folksy tune with the same ease that he does in a classical tune. A very famous duet of KJY with the versatile S Janaki.
20. Moondram Pirai-1982-Kanne Kalaimane-Ilayaraja-Kannadasan
The best way to conclude my first part of blog in covering the early two decades of KJY’s glorious innings has to be this unforgettable song. This was also the last film song written by the great Kaviarasar Kannadasan. The pathos that KJY brings out is something that will remain with us for ever.
Legends like KJY cannot be summarised in one blog. I hope to continue this in future blogs and also plan to write about his Hindi songs which are a class apart.
Till then…goodbye .
Acknowledgement & Disclaimer
I sincerely thank the publishers of following blogsites & Internet sources for the information that I could gather for this article:
- You Tube
- Wikipedia
- Ms Subashree Thanickachalam’s QFR series in Ragamalika TV You Tube channel
The songs mentioned are from the popular, public domain and have been embedded here only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights.
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