K. J. Yesudas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids K. J. Yesudas
Yesudas in June 2011
Born	Kattassery Joseph Yesudas (1940-01-10) 10 January 1940 (age 85) Fort Kochi, Kingdom of Cochin, British India (present-day Kerala, India)
Other names	Ganagandharvan
Alma mater	Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram
Occupation	Singer composer music producer
Years active	1961–present
Spouse(s)	Prabha ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	3, including Vijay Yesudas
Awards	Full list
Honours	Padma Shri (1975) Padma Bhushan (2002) Padma Vibhushan (2017)
Musical career
Genres	Indian classical music Playback singing Filmi
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Tharangni HMV
Signature

Kattassery Joseph Yesudas (born on January 10, 1940) is a famous Indian singer and musician. He sings many types of songs, including classical, devotional, and film songs. He is known as one of the greatest singers in the world.

Yesudas has recorded over 50,000 songs in many different languages. These include Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and even English and Russian. His career has lasted for more than sixty years. People often call him Gaanagandharvan, which means "The Celestial Singer". He even holds a world record for singing and recording 16 new songs in different languages in just one day!

He has won many awards for his singing. This includes eight National Film Awards, which is the most any singer has ever received. He also received the Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2017. These are some of India's highest civilian awards.

Early Life and Musical Journey

K. J. Yesudas was born in Kochi, Kerala. His father, Augustine Joseph, was a well-known classical musician and actor. Yesudas was the second of seven children.

He started his music training at the R. L. V. Music Academy. He later studied at the Swathi Thirunal College of Music. He also learned from famous music teachers like Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.

Yesudas married Prabha Yesudas on February 1, 1970. They have three sons: Vinod, Vijay, and Vishal. His son Vijay is also a successful musician and singer. In 2021, Yesudas celebrated 60 years of singing!

Singing Career Highlights

Starting Out: The 1960s

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

Yesudas recorded his first popular song, Jaathi Bhedam Matha Dwesham, on November 14, 1961. This song was for the film Kalpadukal (1962). He felt very lucky to sing these lines, which were written by the respected saint-poet Sree Narayana Guru.

After his first few years, he became very popular. Many music directors wanted him to sing for their films. He sang in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada movies. His first big hit was for the Malayalam film Bharya (1962). In 1965, the Soviet Union invited him to perform concerts in their cities. He even sang a Russian song on Radio Kazakhstan.

Bollywood Success: The 1970s

After singing for ten years in South Indian movies, Yesudas got a chance to sing in Bollywood (Hindi films). His first released Hindi movie song was for Chhoti Si Baat. This song, "Jaaneman Jaaneman," made him very popular.

He sang for many famous Hindi actors. He also worked with well-known music directors like Ravindra Jain and Bappi Lahiri. His songs in the 1976 movie Chitchor were especially popular.

In 1999, Yesudas received an award from UNESCO in Paris. This award was for his "Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace." He performed at a concert with other famous artists like Lionel Richie and Ray Charles.

In 2001, he sang for an album called Ahimsa. This album featured songs in Sanskrit, Latin, and English. He often performs abroad, sharing Indian music with the world. In 2009, he started a music campaign called 'Music For Peace' to speak out against terrorism.

Personal Life and Beliefs

Yesudas is married to Prabha since 1970. They have three sons. His second son, Vijay, is also a successful singer.

Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India, presenting an award to Yesudas

Yesudas was inspired by Sree Narayana Guru's message: "One religion and One God for all humanity." He admires other great musicians like Mohammed Rafi and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.

Every year on his birthday, Yesudas visits the Kollur Mookambika temple in Karnataka. He sings devotional songs there to Saraswati Devi, the Goddess of knowledge and music. This music festival started on his 60th birthday in 2000. He also sings the famous devotional song "Harivarasanam" for Lord Ayyappa. This song is played every day at the Sabarimala temple.

Music Company and School

In 1980, Yesudas started his own music company, Tharangini Studio, in Thiruvananthapuram. This studio was the first in Kerala to release Malayalam film songs in stereo. The company also has a recording studio in Chennai. It continues to produce and present Yesudas's music events around the world.

In 1975, Yesudas also founded the Tharanganisari School of Music. This school helps students learn different types of music. It is recognized by the Government of Kerala. The school offers free music appreciation classes every month, open to everyone.

Awards and Recognitions

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to Dr. K.J. Yesudas

Yesudas has received many awards for his amazing singing career. He has recorded over 50,000 songs.

Some of his major awards include:

• Padma Shri (1975)
• Padma Bhushan (2002)
• Padma Vibhushan (2017)
• A record 8 National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer
• A record 25 Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer
• 5 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
• 4 Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards
• The J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honor for Malayalam cinema.
• Honorary doctorates from several universities.

The Swaralaya Yesudas Award is a special award given to music artists for their outstanding work. Yesudas himself presents these awards every January.

What Others Say About Him

Many famous musicians and people admire Yesudas.

• The famous music composer AR Rahman said that Yesudas's voice is "unmatched" and "god given." He called Yesudas his "most favourite singer."
• Music director Ravindra Jain, who was blind, once said that if he could ever see, the first person he would want to see is Yesudas.
• Billionaire businessman B. R. Shetty once gave Yesudas a luxury car after hearing him sing. He was deeply moved by Yesudas's concert and his kindness.
• Music composer Bappi Lahiri said that Yesudas's voice is "touched by God." He added that Yesudas is a "yogi, a mystic who lives for music."

Books About Yesudas

Many books have been written about Yesudas's life and music. These include his autobiography, biographies, and collections of his songs and interviews. Some of these books are:

• Yesudasinte Kadha (1981)
• Ezhissai Nayakan (1998)
• My Life and My Thoughts (2010)
• Athisayaragam (2011)
• Sangeethame Jeevitham (2012)
• Yesudas: Oppam Nadanna Camera (2012)
• Swaragandharvam (2014)
• Pattinte Palazhi (2017)
• Ithihaasa Gaayakan (2020)
• Yesudas: Malayalathinte Swarasagaram (2021)
• Yesudas: Sagarasangeetham (2024)

Film Appearances

Yesudas performing in a classical concert

Yesudas has also appeared in a few films, sometimes as himself or as a singer.

Music Composed by Yesudas

Yesudas has also composed music for several films:

• Azhakulla Saleena (1973)
• Theekkanal (1976)
• Sanchari (1981)
• Abhinayam (1981)
• Poocha Sanyasi (1981)
• Ellaam Ayyappan (1988)

Images for kids

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  Yesudas's signature

See also

In Spanish: Yesudas para niños