P. Jayachandran, singer
I was a fan of her songs long before I began singing in films. To me, she is the best singer India has produced, along with Mohammed Rafi.
She is a complete natural. She could sing effortlessly even the toughest of songs. The expressions she could give to a song are amazing. I do not think any singer could match her.
I have enjoyed singing quite a few duets with her. My favourite among them is Vilasa lolupayayi… ( Sreemad Bhagavadgeetha ), a brilliant composition by Dakshinamoorthy. I am also fond of our duets like Makram poyittum… ( Velutha Kathreena ) and Seethadevi swayamvaram… ( Vazhve Mayam ).
Among her Malayalam solos I like are Kadambaree pushpa… , Rajashilpee… and Himavahinee… ( Nadan Pennu ). I like her Tamil songs even more; my favourites include Ninakkai therindha… , Sonnathu neethanaa… and Pakkath veedu… ( Karpagam ).
(as told to P.K. Ajith Kumar)
