A life in music
K. PRADEEP
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K.J. Yesudas turns 70 on January 10. The singer goes down melody lane.
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Photo: S. Gopakumar
Melodious journey: Playback singer K.J.Yesudas.
A t a time when many singers catapult to stardom and then fade into obscurity, Kattasery Joseph Yesudas shines like a beacon. For this versatile singer, who turns 70 on January 10, milestones and records do not seem to matter.
The hallmark of this singer has been his ability to defeat a hostile environment, propensity for hard work and a never-ending quest for excellence in a field that he has made his own.
“I have always tried to find out what is good for me and what is bad. It has been a long search for ‘nanma' or goodness in everything; in life, my profession. The Prophet has said that one must keep learning till one's death. I'm trying to do this, learning something new every moment of my life," says Yesudas.
Determination, dedication
The journey to the top had not been an easy one. In the beginning there was this frail, young man who walked miles on an empty stomach, stood for hours outside recording studios in Chennai and listened quietly to the taunts of people in the field. But Yesudas turned all these into catalysts that inspired him to work harder to achieve his goal. And the goal was to be recognised as a singer.
Right through those difficult times and later, Yesudas seemed to be guided by an unseen hand. Cinema, which ironically had cut short his father's (Augustine Joseph) drama career, turned out to be the field where he blossomed and flourished. People who mattered entered his life. Director K.S. Antony who insisted that Yesudas sing in his film ‘Kaalpadukal'; noted stage singer Vaikom Chandran who, despite being contracted to sing the songs in this film, recommended Yesudas' name to the producer; Padmam Amma, the Sanskrit teacher at RLV Music College, Thripunithura, who stepped in at the right time to pay his fees, thus helping him complete his music studies there and so on. There was this unseen hand at every turn, putting the disjointed pieces of his life together.
"Yes, there is and I believe in an unseen power. Call it what you may, Destiny, Shakti or whatever. In fact, Sankaracharya's Adwaita philosophy is all about this. It is about the awareness of the One in all things, at all times. But remember one has to do one's duty too. You cannot blame your destiny for what happens later.”
As we talk, a classic Yesudas melody wafts in. This voice has become part of the collective memory of the Malayali. Yesudas moves around hardly listening to the song. Does he ever listen to his songs? Do these songs bring back memories, evoke those emotions?
“I listen to my songs at a different level. It is basically to find out if I have done full justice to them, or if there are flaws. Of course, some of them may take me back in time. There are some that make me satisfied. But the next moment it makes me realise that I need to work harder to make it perfect.”
Generations of singers have been trying hard to sing like Yesudas. What is the magic in his singing?
“There's no magic. It is all about practice. When I'm given a song, or when I need to learn a kirtan, I'm constantly singing it, trying to make it as perfect as possible. How many hours does a youngster train today? How many times does a young singer sing to learn a song?"
Yesudas is probably the only Malayalam playback singer to do a major character in a film. Although he has done cameo roles right from ‘Kavyamela' to ‘Boyfriend,' Yesudas did an important role in ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni.' This role involved romantic scenes and even had him in a memorable song-dance sequence. “Possibly, dancing and acting were in my genes. In those days, especially in a small song-dance sequence, there was no choreographer to help you. You just had to listen to the director and perform. Acting is, as someone said, imitation of nature. I must have observed a lot of actors and people and imitated them. And I fully trust that absolute ‘director' for whom settings do not matter, lights do not matter."
Dream project
One of Yesudas' dreams is to set up a music school. “I would like to have one like a ‘gurukulam.' Not just in the name but in its whole functioning. I also don't want it to be institutionalised, awarding degrees and certificates. If there are interested students who are prepared to come, stay, take care of their regular chores and learn music, I'm ready to teach.”
Plans and projects? “I don't think anyone can be sure of one's future. For me each moment passes into the past. Like everyone I'm just acting out my role in this drama. When the time comes I'll have to leave the scene." Yesudas is on song and the melody remains…
Music graph
K.J. Yesudas, his wife, Prabha, and their son Vijay, right.
Debut in Malayalam: ‘Kalpadukal,' (1962).
Debut in Tamil: ‘Bommai' (1964). First song was ‘Neeyum bommai, naanum bommai…' But the first Tamil film and song that was released was ‘Konjum Kumari' (1963). The song, a duet with B. Vasantha, was ‘Asai vandha pinne arukil vandha kanney...'
Debut in Hindi: ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.' The song was ‘Dilruba kya hua...' (1971) but the film did not see the light of day. The first Hindi film that was released with his songs was ‘Chhoti Si Baat' (1975).
MGR's favourite singer: Yesudas first sang for MGR in ‘Ulaggam Chuttum Vaaliban' (1973). He went on to sing for MGR till his last film ‘Madurai Meetta Sundara Pandian' (1977). MGR insisted that Yesudas sing for him during this period (1973-1977).
Family of singers: Probably the first and only family in Indian cinema with three generations of singers – Augustine Joseph, Yesudas and Vijay Yesudas.
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