Yesudas inherited music from his father who was a classical musician. He started to learn the nuances of Carnatic music at a very young age. Yesudas has sung more than 30000 songs. He is proficient in both light as well as classical music. He was provided music teachings in all forms. He is singing since last four decades and no doubt, he is one of the geniuses of music world.
Right from the very beginning, Yesudas showed his musical talent. Soon the world came to know that, this music prodigy is going to create magic in music. At the age of seven, Yesudas got his first recognition by winning a gold medal for music at a local competition. He enhanced his music knowledge by receiving training from the Music Academy, Tripunithura and Swati Tirunal Music Academy, Trivandrum. These two institutions further enhanced his talents and refined them. He earned his diplomas in 'Sangeethabhushanam' and 'Ganabhushanam'. Once he finished his training, he came to Chennai in search for singing opportunities. But life was very difficult initially. He was rejected numerous music directors and even AIR (All India Radio). He had to go through numerous hardships in search of that illusive break. But he did not lose heart and kept giving his best.
Initially he struggled a lot for a break and suffered many hardships when he roamed around Chennai looking for an opening, living mainly on tap water and faced rejections from music directors and AIR (All India Radio) Trivandrum. But young Yesudas patiently endured and persisted to achieve his life's goal.
In 1973, he sang the song 'Thanga Thoniyile' for MGR-starrer Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban. But it was 'Vizhiye Kathaiyezhudu' number he sung for MGR in Urimaikkural in 1974 that became the first Tamil song of Yesudas to gain wide popularity. Thereafter, he sang all the songs of MGR's next film Pallaandu Vaazhga (1975). Superhit songs like 'Poivaa Nadhialaiye', 'Anbukku Naan Adimai', and 'Ondre Kulamendru Paaduvom' were in this film. Yesudas also sang songs like 'Ennai Vittaal Yarumillai' for Naalai Namadhe (1975) and 'Indha Patchai Kilikkoru' for Needhikku Thalai Vanangu (1976) for MGR. He also sang many superhit songs for Sivaji Ganesan starrers. 'Malare Kurinji Malare' for Dr. Shiva and 'Gangai Yamunai Ingudhan Sangamam' for Imayam are good examples. But above all, his number 'Deivam Thandha Veedu Veedhiyirukku' for Aval Oru Thodarkathai made him a very popular singer in Tamil.
It was Salil Chowdhury who took Yesudas to Hindi films. The song 'Ni Sa Ga Ma Pa Ni', a Salilda composition for the film Anand Mahal (1977) was Yesudas' first Hindi song. The song 'Jan e Mann' from the film Chhoti Si Baath, scored by Salilda, was his first Hindi song that became popular. Afterwards, composer Ravindra Jain created a fan following for Yesudas by giving him many hit songs. Songs like 'Jab Deep Jale Aana' and 'Tu Jo Mere Sur Mein' from Chit Chor released in 1976 were truly unforgettable numbers. Jaidev composed some marvelous numbers with Yesudas rendering them. Even Bhappi Lahiri composed some soft romantic numbers in the voice of Yesudas like 'Zid Na Karo' and 'Maana Ho Tum'.
He received the Padmashri from thePresident of India in 1977. He received the first National Award in 1977 for singing in the film Achanum Bappayum, his second National Award for the film Gayathri, the third National Award in 1978 for film Chitchor, the fourth National Award for the Telugu f ilm Mega sandesham, his fifth National Award for the flm Unnikale Oru Katha Parayaam, and his sixth in 1992 for the film Bharatham.
The film Chitchor also won him a Filmfare Special Award. Alaap got him the Sur Singar Samsad Award and Dada the Filmfare award in 1980. In 1991, he received an honorary doctorate degree from the Annamalai University in recognition for his contributions to music and art. He received the Lata Mangeshkar Award in 1991. Besides these national awards, Yesudas is the recipient of 16 Kerala State Awards, eight State Awards from TamilNadu, 5 state Awards from Karnataka, four State Awards from Andra Pradesh and one State Award from Bengal. In 1992 he received the distinguished honor of "Star of Cochin" from the citizens of Cochin. The government of Kerala has named Yesudas "Asthana Gayakan".
MITUL KANSAL
President ,
International Radio Listeners Friendship & Fraternity Club.
International Radio Listeners Friendship & Fraternity Club.
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