P. Jayachandran: The soulful performance that made every song a hit

P. Jayachandran. Illustration: Satish Velenezhi

Veteran playback singer P. Jayachandran, who passed away on Thursday (January 9, 2025), was Kerala’s gift to Tamil film music. He was introduced to the Tamil film industry by the late music director MS Vishwanathan, and composed his first song for the film Manipayal in 1972. He had a unique voice, a mix of Yesudas and SP Balasubramaniam, but he forged his own path and moved on. To sing some excellent solo and duet songs in Tamil films, but there was no trace of his mother tongue Malayalam in his Tamil songs.

He even presented a song for late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran in his last film. Madurai Meeta Sundarpandian In 1978. Song, amutha tamizalil ezhutham kavithai In pure Dwijavanti raga, is considered an excellent duet even today.

Late Balu Mahendra’s first film Azhiyatha Kolangal introduced Tamil audiences to the greatness of Salil Chowdhary’s composition and Jayachandran elevated the film with his rendition of the song Poo Vannam Pola Nenjam,

Song Kalidasana Kannadasana Silk made Smita even more beautiful in the film Sorakottai Singakutty,

Although he sang for all the heroes of the Tamil industry, a special chemistry was seen between Jayachandran and late actor and DMDK founder Vijayakanth. In Vaidehi KathirundhalA film that skyrocketed Vijayakanth’s fame, credit must go to music directors Ilayaraja and Jayachandran who presented three evergreen songs – Rasathi Onna Kanatha Nenju, intraikku n intha ananthame And Kathirunthu Kathirunthu,

Poova Eduthu Oru Malai Thoduthu Vachanae En Chinna Rasa in the movie Amman Kovil Kizhakale, Mayanginen Solla Thayanginen in the movie Naane Raja Naane Manthiri, vizhiye vilakkondru etru And Ona Renda in the movie Thazuwatha Kaigal There are three other great songs from Vijayakanth’s films.

Both MS Vishwanathan and Ilayaraja made full use of his talent. In an interview with Tamil film music historian Vamanan, Jayachandran ranked Vishwanathan as the number one composer. “He sings from the heart. It is a flow. It flows like a river,” Sri Vamanan recorded Jayachandran as saying in his book Thirai Isai Alaigal-Volume 5,

Vishwanathan recorded two brilliant songs – Vasanthakala Nathigalile And Aadi Velli Thee Unnai Naan Adaiantha Neram – in the movie Moondru MudichuIn which both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan acted.

If Thenandralathu Ennidathil Solivaitha Sethi Ennavo And Kavithai Arrangeram Neram in the movie Andha Ezhu Drama Bhagyaraj starrer, Jayachandran-MS Vishwanathan combination reveal best songs Poonthrale Nalla Neram In Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri And Manjolai Kilithano In Kizhakke Pogam Rail This explains the meeting of minds between the singer and composer Ilayaraja, who used him for many great songs. Kodilele Malligapu In Kadalora Kavithaikal The actor was successful in bringing out excellent emotions in Sathyaraj.

Kadavul Vaazhum Kovilile Karpoor Deepam In Oru Thalai RagamTuned by T. Rajender, is another song that depicts unrequited love.

Manjal Nilavukku Indru Ore Sugam There is a hit song from Shivakumar-starrer muthal iravu, Geeta SangeetaA duet with Jensi in the film Ambe Sangeeta And Thalatuthe Vaanam In the film starring Kamal Haasan Kadalmingal Jayachandran has some other memorable hits.