Dr. K J Yesudas

Posted Date: 17 Sep 2010 Author: Roshan Salim

(Rs. 35)

This article is all about the musical legend Dr. K J Yesudas.

Dr. K J Yesudas- The God of Music

It is beyond words to describe about this musical legend in the name of K J Yesudas who was from the God’s Own Country. He was one of the rare singers of the world who were extraordinary in Indian classical music and playback singing. He was born in 10th January 1940 as Kattassery Joseph Yesudas in Kochi. The uncountable awards honored by him in the national and state level itself reveal his musical excellence. He has got seven National award for the Best Playback Singer and also the winner of the Kerala State Award for the Best Singer 24 times. This has been a record in National as well as Kerala level to won the award for most number of times. He has sung the songs in all languages except Assamese, Konkani and Kashmiri. This itself shows that the world of music is not having any language. He was also awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India. The great musicians like A R Rahman, Ravindra Jain, Raveendran master, P Susheela, S P Balasubrahmaniam, S Janaki, K S Chithra etc are great admirers of this divine voice.

Musical Life of K J Yesudas

Yesudas was fully dedicated to music from the childhood itself. His father named Augustine Joseph who was a well known musician was his first teacher. After all he joined Music Academy of Thrippunithara to study classical music. Sri Vechur Hari Hara Subramanian, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar etc are some of his great teachers. Then he also studied Hindusthani Music.

His entry to playback singing starts from the Malayalam Movie named Kalpaadukal. He became very popular after his first film song itself. Then it began a new era of music under K J Yesudas. He got seven National awards and 45 State awards and many other awards. The world itself recognized his divine musical touch.

Yesudas was a great follower of the words of Sree Narayana Guru which says “ One caste, one religion and one god for all humanity”. And he usually remind this message on all his stage shows. He was very much admired to Mohammed Rafi, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and Balamurali Krishna.

National Awards honored by K J Yesudas

1994- For all songs of his Album ‘Sopanam’
1992- "Rama Katha Ganalayam" in the film Bharatham
1988- "Unnikale Oru Katha Parayaam" in the film Unnikale Oru Katha Parayaam
1983- “Aakasha Deshaana” in the film Magasandesham
1977- "Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyaara" in the film Chitchor
1974- “ Padmatheerthame Unaroo” in the film Gayathri
1973- “ Manushyan Mathangale..” in the film Achanum Bappayum

State Awards Honored by Yesudas

Kerala State Award- 24 times
Tamilnadu State Award- 8 times
Andra Pradesh State Award- 6 times
Karnataka State Award- 5 times
West Bengal State Award- Once