That afternoon in Thiruvananthapuram, some 20 years ago, is still fresh in memory. At the Senate Hall had assembled the biggest gathering of music talents imaginable.
It was the rehearsal of a stage show organised by composer G. Devarajan to celebrate the 50 years of Malayalam film music. The singers, music directors, lyricists and just about everyone associated with Malayalam film music, right from the early days, were there. Nobody could have said ‘No’ to Devarajan.
One recalls Johnson was conducting the rehearsal that afternoon. The singers came one after the other. P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Jayachandran, P. Madhuri, Brahmanandan… they were all there. A large number of music lovers had gathered to watch these great talents in action.
Then, he came. The hearts at the Senate Hall skipped a collective beat. The world stopped.
It was Yesudas.
You could feel what everyone there that afternoon felt about this man. The man who sings in a voice that is out of this world.
That celestial voice turns 75 on Saturday.
He remains the most-loved Malayali. It is through his voice that the Malayali has loved, celebrated and grieved. Not a day passes before we have listened to one of his songs.
And there are thousands of songs of him. He has sung so many great melodies that it is difficult to make a list of even a Top 100.
Which song of Yesudas would you want to hear over and over? Some might say, Thamasamenthe varuvan… ( Bhargavi Nilayam ). Some others may say Pramadavanam veendum… ( His Highness Abdullah ). There would also be takers for Aaro viral neettee or Arikil neeyundayirunnenkil … ( Neeyethra Dhanya ), or Karayunno puzha… ( Murapennu ).
Not many singers could boast so many hits. But, then, no other singer has such a perfect voice for rendering light songs.
That voice is sheer magic. To know it, all you have to do is to just listen to the opening part ( alaap ) of Pramadavanam . You should also go back to Thamasamenthe… once again, to experience the pure ecstasy a dreamy voice could give you.
So how special a singer is Yesudas?
This writer put that question once to Johnson, the late composer who tuned several classics for him.
“Yesudas is one of the world’s ten greatest singers of all time,” he said. “He has no equal in India. He is up there, along with the likes of Pavarotti.”
Lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi has a simple answer to explain the phenomenon that Yesudas is: “his voice is touched by God”.
Gems of Yesudas
>Thamasamenthe varuvan … (Bhargavi Nilayam)
>Sanyasini nin … (Rajahamsam)
>Sagarame shanthamaka … (Madanolsavam)
>Ponveyil manikkacha … (Nruthashala)
>Karayunno puzha … (Murappennu)
>Alliyambal kadavil … (Rosi)
>Aayiram padasarangal … (Nadi)
>Apara sundara neelakasham … (Vithukal)
>Nadabrahmathin … (Kattukurangu)
>Manjubhashinee … (Kodungallooramma)
>Laksharchana kandu … (Ayalathe Sundari)
>Pralaya poyidhiyil … (Mazhakkaru)
>Pramadavanam veendum … (His Highness Abdullah)
>Chaithram chayam … (Chillu)
>Mizhiyoram … (Manjil Virinja Pookkal)
>Anuragini itha … (Oru Kudakkeezhil)
>Ottakkambi nadam … (Thenum Vayampum)
>Chembaka thaikal pootha … (Kathirunna Nimisham)
>Vakappoomaram choodum … (Anubhavam)
>Vinninte virimaril … (Ashtapadi)
>Sruthiyil ninnuyarum … (Thrishna)
>Arikil neeyundayirunnenkil … (Neeyethra Dhanya)
>Pazham thamizhpattizhayum … (Manichithrathazhu)
>Sreeragamo … (Pavithram)
>Aaro viral neettee … (Pranaya Varnangal)
>Oru narupushpamayi … (Meghamalhar)
>Amma mazhakkarinu … (Madambi)
>Kanne kalaimane … (Moondram Pirai)
>Jab deep jale … (Chitchor)
>Ka karoon sajni … (Swami)
