An undated photo of renowned playback singer P. Jayachandran, who died on January 9, 2025, at the age of 80. Photo courtesy: PTI
Indian music has lost one of its finest voices.
A voice that brought expression to a song in a way that perhaps no one else could. A voice that could make its presence felt despite being contemporary with the phenomenon called KJ Yesudas. There can be no challenge more difficult than this in music.
P. Jayachandran, who died at a private hospital in Thrissur on Thursday (January 9, 2025), was a talented singer who enthralled generations with his songs in Malayalam and Tamil. His songs will continue to mesmerize the coming generations.
He made a sudden impact with his songs Manjalayil Mungithorathi for the 1966 film KalithozhanIt was composed by G. Devarajan, one of the greatest music directors of Indian cinema, whose talents, however, were limited to Malayalam cinema only.
Devarajan swore off Yesudas, but still gave some of his best tunes to Jayachandran, like Thotten Njan Manansu Kondu (Kottaram Vilakanundu), Ishtha Praneshwari (Chukku), Malayala Bhasha Thante (Preethangalude Thazhavaara), Manathu Kannikal (Madhavikutty) Mallika Banan Thante (Achani). And Ramzanile Chandrikayo (Alibabayum 41 Kallanmarum).
The maestro also gave them an incredibly melodious light song – Onnini Shruti Tajathi Paduka Poonkuyile. It is a light song written by ONV Kurup. It was the late poet’s lullaby for his wife. And it found the perfect voice in Jayachandran. This writer once had the privilege of hearing that song from his hotel room in Kozhikode: the image is still fresh in the memory, of him singing while lying on his bed.
Jayachandran was also the singer who rendered the sweetest lullaby he sang for his beloved on the silver screen – Rajeev Nayane Neeyurungu (Chandrakantham). It was tuned by MS Vishwanathan, the composer of some of Jayachandran’s best songs, such as Swarnagopur Narthaki Shilpam, Karpoor Deepthin Kanthiyil (Both Divyadarshanam) And Good morning (Panitheeratha Veedu).
Many of those songs were written by Sreekumaran Thampi, who once neatly summarized Jayachandran’s career The Hindu: “One banyan tree does not allow another to grow beneath it, but Jayachandran proved that it is possible.”
Thampi is also the lyricist of some other big hits of Jayachandran Sougandhikangale Vidaruvin (Pathira Suryan), Chandathil Kadanjeduthoru. (Sastram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu, Sandhyakkenthinu Sindooram (Maya) and Nin Maniyarile (CID Nazir), Poorendumukhiyodambalathil (Kurukshetram), Anuraga Gaanam Pole (Udyogastha), Njanitha Thirichethi (Asuravithu), Suprabhatham (Panitheerath Veedu), Ragam Sriraagam (Bandhanam). And Ekantapathikan Najan (Ummachu).
Jayachandran also has some big hits to his credit. Tamil. Raasathi Unna (Vaidehi Kathirunthal), Enmel Vijuntha (May Matham) And Oru Daivam Thantha (Kannathil Muthamittal),
He was also the singer of the most popular devotional album in Malayalam wreath, Composed by PK Kesavan Namboodiri. its songs like Ambadi Thannilorunni, Vadakkunnathanu and Vigneshwar He had many admirers including Sivaji Ganesan. Like romance, devotion was also reflected in his voice.
One remarkable thing about Jayachandran is that age had no effect on his voice. He managed to look like a young man in love throughout his life.
After staying away from limelight for some time, he made a great comeback with songs. prayer nammil for the 1999 film ruthlessA campus love story directed by Kamal. And the peppy number was an instant chart-topper.
He gave his best in every song he came across. He made a song his own. just listen to his presentation Sougandhikangle VidaruvinA brilliant creation by V. Dakshinamurthy.
Such songs show how difficult it is to imitate a singer. You won’t find many clones of Jayachandran.
It is strange that Jayachandran’s song ended a day after the State School Arts Festival ended in Thiruvananthapuram. He made his first mark in music in the second edition of the festival held here in 1958. He was ranked second to Yesudas in light music. The following year, he received first prize.
His music is priceless.
published – January 10, 2025 12:25 am IST
