KJ Yesudas breathed music even before he took his first breath, as he was born in a household that was filled with music. But it wasn’t the inheritance of music or constant exposure to it that made KJ Yesudas the ‘Gana Gandharvan (celestial singer) that he is today. KJ Yesudas has a magical voice, without any doubt, but it was his impeccable talent to add emotion to the lyrics that helped him to conquer hearts.
The celestial singer is turning 81 today. Shortlisting his top 10 or even 50 songs is a wild goose chase, as the list is never-ending. So, we have picked a few Malayalam songs of KJ Yesudas that are unmissable.
Happy Birthday K J Yesudas : A voice that could entertain the Gods!
KJ Yesudas has lent his voice to many devotional songs. ‘Harivarasanam’ is the most popular among them, as the song is recited every day at the Lord Aiyyappa shrine, Sabarimala before the temple closes. ‘Harivarasanam’ is regarded as the ‘urakkupattu’, a lullaby to the deity.
A Guruvayoorappa devotee would get transported to the temple if tuned into ‘Oru neram enkilum kannathe’ song.
The devotional song ‘Sathyanayaka’ from the 1979 film ‘Jeevitham Oru Gaanam’ still resonates in churches.
King of Melodies
KJ Yesudas’ voice is perhaps the epitome of melody. The singer could touch the deepest emotions of your soul with his divine voice.
The evergreen melody ‘Oru Pushpam Mathramen’ wouldn’t have been so charismatic if KJ Yesudas hadn’t sung it. The song is from the 1967 film ‘Pareeksha’ and it still evokes love.