K. J. Yesudas

K. J. Yesudas was born in Kochi, in Kerala, to Augustine Joseph and Elizabeth Joseph. His father was a well-known Malayalam classical musician and stage actor. Yesudas was the second of seven children, preceded by an elder sister named Pushpa, and followed by four younger brothers - Antony (Antappan), Babu, Mani, Justin and a younger sister, Jayamma.{{Cite news |date=2020-01-10 |title=KJ Yesudas: A name that spells melody |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/kj-yesudas-turns-80/article30522919.ece |access-date=2020-11-14 |website=The Hindu |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204175059/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/kj-yesudas-turns-80/article30522919.ece |url-status=live |last1=Nagarajan |first1=Saraswathy |last2=M |first2=Athira |last3=Pradeep |first3=K. }} Among these siblings, Pushpa and Babu died of fever at a young age, and Justin, the youngest brother, died under mysterious circumstances in February 2020, aged 62.

Augustine Joseph's dearest friend, Musician Kunjan Velu Bhagavathar was the first guru of him. Kunjan Velu was the disciple of Nadaswara Chakravarthi T. N. Rajarathnam Pillai. Yesudas started his academic music training at R. L. V. Music Academy, Thrippunithura and completed the Ganabooshanam course. Later he studied at Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram under the tutelage of the carnatic music maestro K. R. Kumaraswamy Iyer and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer but could not complete his studies due to financial constraints. For a brief period, he also studied music under Vechoor Harihara Subramania Iyer, after which he took advanced training from Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-10 |title=With 70,000 songs to his credit, legendary singer Yesudas turns 78 |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2018/01/10/legendary-singer-yesudas-turns-78.html |access-date=2020-11-14 |website=Malayala Manorama |archive-date=14 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114110818/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2018/01/10/legendary-singer-yesudas-turns-78.html |url-status=live }}

K. J. Yesudas married Prabha Yesudas on 1 February 1970 in Mallapally.{{cite web |title=This voice is my life's greatest fortune: Prabha Yesudas |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2020/01/10/yesudas-birthday-special-note-wife-prabha.html |website=Malayala Manorama |publisher=Onmanorama |access-date=6 October 2023}}

In 2021, Yesudas completed 60 years as a playback singer.{{Cite web |last=Soman |first=Sandhya |date=2011-09-09 |title=Book on Yesudas tracks the men who made the star |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Book-on-Yesudas-tracks-the-men-who-made-the-star/articleshow/9916686.cms |access-date=2020-11-14 |website=The Times of India |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030200112/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Book-on-Yesudas-tracks-the-men-who-made-the-star/articleshow/9916686.cms |url-status=live }}

File:Onvk2.JPG]]

Yesudas recorded his first popular song Jaathi Bhedam Matha Dwesham (music: M. B. Sreenivasan) on 14 November 1961. The singer considers those four lines he got to sing to start his career in films as a huge blessing as it was written by none other than Sree Narayana Guru, the most respected saint-poet-social reformer of Kerala. The film was Kalpadukal (1962), based on social reform during the life and times of Sree Narayana Guru. He associated with popular singers of those times like P. Leela, Santha P. Nair, K. P. Udayabhanu, S. Janaki etc. and lyricists like P. Bhaskaran and Nambiyath. He sang the lines of poet Kumaran Asan for this film.

After the initial years he became the most sought after by established music directors of that time, M. B. Sreenivasan, G. Devarajan, V. Dakshinamoorthy, Br Lakshmanan, M. S. Baburaj and many others. Thus began his career in playback singing which included the Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies thereafter.

He got the first major break with the hit Malayalam film named Bharya ( music by G. Devarajan and lyrics by Vayalar Ramavarma). In 1967, he sang hit songs in the composition of M.S.Baburaj for the film Udhyogastha directed by P.Venu. He also sang in Tamil for Bommai first (music: S. Balachander), but the first released movie was Konjum Kumari (music: Veda). In 1965, he was invited by the Soviet Union government to perform at music concerts in various cities in the USSR and also sang a Russian song over Radio Kazakhstan. The trio of Salil, Yesudas and Prem Nazir entered the Malayalam Cinema Industry of the 1970s.

In 1970 he was nominated to head the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy and was the youngest person ever to occupy the post.{{cite news|url=http://www.stateofkerala.in/news/k%20j%20yesudas%20the%20indian%20play%20back%20singing%20legend.php |title=CDR K J YESUDAS THE INDIAN PLAYBACK SINGING LEGEND'S RAGS TO RICHES |publisher=stateofkerala.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205230708/http://www.stateofkerala.in/news/k%20j%20yesudas%20the%20indian%20play%20back%20singing%20legend.php |archive-date= 5 December 2011 }}

After a decade of singing in South Indian movies, Yesudas got a break in Bollywood in the early 1970s. The first Hindi song he sang was for the movie Jai Jawan Jai Kissan (1971), but the first released movie was Chhoti Si Baat, which resulted in his becoming popular for singings songs like "Jaaneman Jaaneman". He has sung Hindi songs for many leading actors in Hindi cinema including Amitabh Bachchan, Amol Palekar and Jeetendra. He has sung many evergreen Hindi film songs for music directors including Ravindra Jain, Bappi Lahiri, Khayyam, Raj Kamal and Salil Chowdhury.

Yesudas' most popular Hindi songs are in the 1976 movie Chitchor, with music given by Ravindra Jain.

On 14 November 1999, Yesudas was presented with an honorary award by UNESCO for "Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace" at the "Music for Peace" event in Paris, a concert held to mark the dawn of the new millennium and whose attendees included artistes such as Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Montserrat Caballé, and Zubin Mehta.{{cite news|url=http://www.asianetindia.com/news/kj-yesudas-completes-50-glorious-years-singer_300940.html |title=KJ Yesudas completes 50 glorious years as singer |publisher=Asianet india |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124040600/http://www.asianetindia.com/news/kj-yesudas-completes-50-glorious-years-singer_300940.html |archive-date=24 January 2012 }}

In 2001 he sang for album Ahimsa in Sanskrit, Latin and English and in a mix of styles including new-age and Carnatic.{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/02/19/stories/09190704.htm |title=Ahimsa Album |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date=19 February 2001 |access-date=2011-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210180308/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/02/19/stories/09190704.htm |archive-date=10 December 2006 |url-status=usurped}} In his music concerts in the Middle East he sings Arabic songs in the Carnatic style.{{cite web|author=Vineet Pillai |url=http://www.indien-netzwerk.de/navigation/ereignisse/artikel/yesudas/yesudas_interview-eng.htm |title=Exclusive – Interview with Yesudas on 15th November 2003 |publisher=Indien-netzwerk.de |date=15 November 2003 |access-date=2010-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531061214/http://www.indien-netzwerk.de/navigation/ereignisse/artikel/yesudas/yesudas_interview-eng.htm |archive-date=31 May 2010 }} He frequently serves as a cultural ambassador for India through his performances abroad, promoting Indian music.

In 2009 Yesudas began a cross-country musical campaign against terrorism in Thiruvananthapuram, with the motto 'Music For Peace'.{{cite news |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/news/2009/yesudas-musical-campaign-peace-130109.html |title=Yesudas' Musical Campaign for peace |date=13 January 2009 |publisher=oneindia.com |access-date=9 January 2012 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117112833/https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2009/yesudas-musical-campaign-peace-130109.html |url-status=live }} Kavita Karkare, wife of Hemant Karkare, handed over the torch to Yesudas to mark the launch of the 'Shanthi Sangeetha Yatra'.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/12/stories/2009011258340300.htm |title=Tributes paid to Hemant Karkare |date=12 January 2009 |access-date=2010-05-01 |location=Chennai, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103205714/http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/12/stories/2009011258340300.htm |archive-date=3 November 2012 |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead }} Yesudas has performed for 36 times in the 36-year-old Soorya Music festival organised by Soorya Krishnamoorthy.{{cite web|url=http://thiraseela.com/main/specialStories.php?id=472|title=Gaanagandharvan graces the Soorya festival for the 36th time|website=thiraseela.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630110641/http://thiraseela.com/main/specialStories.php?id=472|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=live}}

Yesudas is married to Prabha since 1 February 1970. They have three sons, Vinod (b. 1977), Vijay (b. 1979) and Vishal (b. 1981). Their second son, Vijay, is a musician who won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2007, 2012 and 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.nritoday.net/movies-a-music/336-kj-yesudas-singer-with-a-golden-voice |title=Dr. KJ Yesudas: Singer with a Golden Voice |author=Ajay Gosh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062233/http://www.nritoday.net/movies-a-music/336-kj-yesudas-singer-with-a-golden-voice |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}

File:Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Rajat Kamal Award to Padma Vibhushan Dr. K.J. Yesudas (Best Male Playback Singer) for the film VISWASAPOORVAM MANSOOR (Malayalam), at the 65th National Film Awards Function, in New Delhi.JPG

Sree Narayana Guru's message, "One religion and One God for all humanity", influenced young Yesudas in his dealings with his fellow men. He had his own heroes among the musicians too. Mohammed Rafi, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and Balamurali Krishna are the ones he admires the most.{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/may/07yesu.htm |title='I do not sing trendy music': Yesudas |work=Rediff.com |date=7 May 2001 |access-date=2010-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601053019/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/may/07yesu.htm |archive-date=1 June 2010 |url-status=live }}

Yesudas has been visiting Kollur Mookambika temple, Kollur, Karnataka on his birthday to sing keerthans of Saraswati devi, the Goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. The music festival started on his 60th birthday in 2000. The nine-day music festival begins every January at Kollur Mookambika Temple.

On Sunday, 10 January 2010, he celebrated his 70th birthday (Sapthathi) at Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple with 'Sangeetharchana' (classical devotional songs), along with 70 singers before goddess Mookambika. The Sangeetharchana included "Pancharatna Gayana" of Thyagaraja's poems. He also took part in the Vidyarambha function. All India Radio broadcast the special Sangeetharchana all over Kerala. Yesudas also has many songs devoted to Lord Ayyappa including the hit song "Harivarasanam".{{cite web |url=http://jaimusiconline.com |title=Gandharva of songs : K.J Yesudas celebrates 70th birthday |publisher=Non Resident Kerala Associations |access-date=2010-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227012349/http://jaimusiconline.com/ |archive-date=27 December 2018 |url-status=usurped}}{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/top-stories/2009/k-j-yesudas-birthday-190109.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711072431/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/top-stories/2009/k-j-yesudas-birthday-190109.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2012 |title=Yesudas celebrated Birthday at Kollur |publisher=Oneindia Entertainment |date=19 January 2009 |access-date=2010-05-01 }}{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article220681.ece |title=Yesudas celebrates 70th birthday in Kollur |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=11 January 2010 |access-date=2010-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307180546/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article220681.ece |archive-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead }} In 2002, during Marad massacre, he visited the place along with the veteran poet Sugathakumari, and conducted classes against violence. Harivarasanam, a devotional song musical version composed by G. Devarajan, recited before closing the temple at Sabarimala was sung by Yesudas. Though there have been many different renditions of this song by many different renowned singers, Sabarimala officially uses Yesudas' voice for Harivarasanam every day.

In 1980 Yesudas established the Tharangini Studio at Thiruvananthapuram. In 1992 the office and studio were moved to Chennai and the company was incorporated in the USA in 1998. Tharangni Studio and Tharangni Records became a recording center in Kerala which, for the first time, brought out audio cassettes of Malayalam film songs in stereo. The record company also had a voice mixing studio in Studio27, Chennai. The studio continues to produce and present events of Yesudas, both for film and Indian classical music concerts throughout the world.{{cite web|url=http://www.keralatourism.org/leadinglights/dr--k--j--yesudas-4.php|title=Dr. K. J. Yesudas|publisher=keralatourism.org|access-date=18 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601083704/http://www.keralatourism.org/leadinglights/dr--k--j--yesudas-4.php|archive-date=1 June 2010|url-status=dead}}

Yesudas founded Tharanganisari School of Music in 1975 to train students in various branches of music. The school is recognized by Government of Kerala. It is managed by a society which is registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act 12 of 1955. It is situated at Edappazhanji, Thiruvananthapuram.{{Cite web |title=About Tharanganisari |url=https://tharanganisari.com/about-tharanganisari/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Tharanganisari.com}} A music appreciation class will be held on the second saturday of every month at the school. The class is free for all and is open to public of all ages.{{Cite web |date=2009-02-15 |title=A singer of all kinds of bhajans |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2009/Feb/15/a-singer-of-all-kinds-of-bhajans-26027.html |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=The New Indian Express}} Composer Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath worked as a music teacher in 1976.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-05 |title=80ന്റെ നിറവിൽ പെരുമ്പാവൂർ ജി രവീന്ദ്രനാഥ് |url=https://www-mathrubhumi-com.translate.goog/movies-music/features/80th-birthday-of-music-director-perumbavoor-g-raveendranath-1.9214019?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620104328/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/80th-birthday-of-music-director-perumbavoor-g-raveendranath-1.9214019 |archive-date=2024-06-20 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Mathrubhumi}} Some of the notable alumnus of the school are composers Mohan Sithara,{{Cite web |last=Kavu |first=Sweety |date=2020-07-24 |title=പത്തിന് പകരം നൂറ് തരുന്ന ദാസേട്ടന്‍; ഈശ്വരകൃപയാല്‍ മുപ്പതിലധികം കൊല്ലത്തെ സംഗീതജീവിതം സംതൃപ്തം |url=https://www-mathrubhumi-com.translate.goog/movies-music/features/interview-with-mohan-sithara-music-director-1.4925484?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718172636/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/interview-with-mohan-sithara-music-director-1.4925484 |archive-date=2024-07-18 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Mathrubhumi}} Murali Sithara{{Cite web |date=2021-07-12 |title=Music director Murali Sithara, 66, found dead |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/music-director-murali-sithara-66-found-dead-1.5823587 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Mathrubhumi}} and guitarist John Antony.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-16 |title=Interview with John Anthony |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/interview-with-john-anthony/articleshow/31032314.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705093519/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/Interview-with-John-Anthony/articleshow/31032314.cms |archive-date=2022-07-05 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=The Times of India}}

{{Main|List of titles, honours and major awards received by Yesudas}}

File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to Dr. K.J. Yesudas, at the Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 13, 2017.jpg

Yesudas has recorded over 50,000 songs and has won scores of accolades including the coveted Padma Shri (1975),{{cite web|title=Padma Shri Awardees|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs|url=http://archive.india.gov.in/myindia/padmashri_awards_list1.php?start=1620|access-date=2014-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204165547/http://archive.india.gov.in/myindia/padmashri_awards_list1.php?start=1620|archive-date=4 December 2014|url-status=dead}} Padma Bhushan (2002),{{cite web|title=Padma Bhushan Awardees|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs|url=http://archive.india.gov.in/myindia/padmabhushan_awards_list1.php?start=320|access-date=2014-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204165432/http://archive.india.gov.in/myindia/padmabhushan_awards_list1.php?start=320|archive-date=4 December 2014|url-status=dead}} Padma Vibhushan (2017){{cite web |url=http://padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/PadmaAwards-2017_25012017.pdf |title=Padma Awards 2017 |access-date=2017-01-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129231739/http://www.padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/PadmaAwards-2017_25012017.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2017}} and eight National Awards for Best Playback Singer.

• National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer a record 8 times by the Government of India
• Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer a record 25 times for the best playback singer by the Government of Kerala
• Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 5 times for the best playback singer by the Government of Tamil Nadu
• West Bengal State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer by the Government of West Bengal (1 time)
• Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards 4 times for the best playback singer by the Government of Andhra Pradesh
• J. C. Daniel Award from Government of Kerala
• Honorary doctorates from Annamalai University,{{Cite web |date=2001-05-07 |title='I don't sing trendy music' |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/may/07yesu.htm |access-date=2020-09-16 |website=Rediff.com |archive-date=19 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619205218/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/may/07yesu.htm |url-status=live }} Kerala University{{Cite web |title=A Brief History of the University |url=https://www.keralauniversity.ac.in/history |website=University of Kerala |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230043516/https://keralauniversity.ac.in/history |url-status=live }} and MG University{{Cite web |date=2009-05-19 |title=Varsity confers honorary doctorate on CJI, Yesudas |url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20090519/1256889.html |access-date=2020-11-08 |website=WebIndia123 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117112900/https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20090519/1256889.html |url-status=live }}
• Anandalok Best Male Playback Award 1 time for the best playback singer.
• Sangeetha Kalasikhamani, 2002 by The Indian Fine arts Society, Chennai
• Padmabhushan B. Sarojadevi National Award (2015) by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore.{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2015/apr/12/saroji-devi-honours-yesudas-741466.html |title=Saroji Devi Honours Yesudas |date=12 April 2015 |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117112834/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2015/apr/12/Saroji-Devi-Honours-Yesudas-741466.html |url-status=live }}
• Karnataka Rajyotsava Award from Government of Karnataka in the year 2017{{Cite web |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/padma-vibhushan-yesudas-among-sixty-two-chosen-for-rajyotsava-award.html?fromNewsdog=1 |title=Singer Yesudas among 62 chosen for Karnataka Rajyotsava Award |website=The Week |access-date=13 August 2020 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117112834/https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/padma-vibhushan-yesudas-among-sixty-two-chosen-for-rajyotsava-award.html?fromNewsdog=1 |url-status=live }}
• Karnataka State Film Award (1991)Best Playback Singer Male, Film Ramachari Song Nammura Yuvarani
• Swaralaya Yesudas award is a prestigious award for music artists in recognition of their outstanding performance. The award is instituted jointly by Swaralaya, an organisation that promotes music and Kairali Channel, based in Trivandrum, Kerala. Awards have been given annually since 2000. Yesudas presents the awards at a Gandharva Sandhya every January.{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/01/20/stories/2003012008080300.htm|title=Swaralaya awards presented|date=20 January 2003|work=The Hindu|access-date=18 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304221841/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/01/20/stories/2003012008080300.htm|archive-date=4 March 2010|url-status=usurped}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121654810500.htm|title=Swaralaya award for Shankar Mahadevan|date=16 December 2007|work=The Hindu|access-date=18 March 2010|location=Chennai, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424081543/http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121654810500.htm|archive-date=24 April 2008|url-status=dead}}

In his acceptance speech of winning the Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award (2006), AR Rahman said "I'm greatly honoured by Swaralaya's gesture, and getting this award from my most favourite singer Mr Yesudas. He is one of my most favourite voices' ever in the world." On another occasion during an interview he said of Yesudas, "his voice is unmatched, his voice is god given and I've been hearing his songs since I was 3 years old."

Ravindra Jain, in an interview wherein the blind music director confessed that if ever he happened to regain vision, the first person he would like to see would be Yesudas.

In 2003, billionaire and businessman B. R. Shetty gifted him his 1992 model Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit after listening his concert held at The Indian High School, Dubai. Shetty said: "I was not only touched by his concert but by the man himself who talked about God's kindness to mankind".{{cite web|title=Yesudas gets a Rolls Royce!|url=http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=13325681|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031224023805/http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=13325681|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2003|website=Sify|access-date=26 June 2019|date=4 December 2003}}

Bappi Lahiri said in an interview with Filmfare in 2012: "'Yesudas' voice is touched by God. After Kishore Da(Kishore Kumar), he was another singer who brought out the best in me. He is a yogi, a mystic who lives for music. He takes your tunes to another level. And his note is perfect, you can rely on him to deliver it right the first time. Working with him made me touch base with my melodious side. He is vastly under-utilised in Hindi films. I wish Hindi film composers of today realise his genius and offer him assignments."{{Cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/king-of-ooh-la-la-land-262.html|title=King of Ooh la la land|access-date=2016-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702015357/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/king-of-ooh-la-la-land-262.html|archive-date=2 July 2016|url-status=live}}

Several books were published about Yesudas - his autobiography, biography, music journeys, studies on his songs, photos, interviews, memoirs etc. Some includes:

• Yesudasinte Kadha (SPCS - NBS - 1981), Malayalam biography by Mathukutty J. Kunnappally{{Cite web |title=Yesudhasinte Kadha by Mathukutty J. Kunnappally |url=http://library.assumptioncollege.edu.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=33058 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Assumption College, Changanasserry Library| date=1981 }}
• Ezhissai Nayakan (Manimekalai Prasuram - 1998), written in Tamil by R. Kandeepan, translated to English by R. Sundaresan.{{Cite web |title=Yesudas, the king of melodies by R. Kandeepan |url=https://catalogue.statelibrary.kerala.gov.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=265718 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=State Central Library, Kerala| date=1998 }}
• Yesudas: the King of Melodies (Manimekalai Prasuram - 2000), written in Tamil by R. Kandeepan, translated to English by R. Sundaresan.{{Cite web |title=Yesudas, the king of melodies by R. Kandeepan |url=https://catalogue.statelibrary.kerala.gov.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=212010 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=State Central Library, Kerala}}
• The Greatest Singer Yesudas (Manimekalai Prasuram - 2005), a biography written in Tamil by R. Kandeepan, translated to English by R. Sundaresan.{{Cite web |title=The Greatest Singer Yesudas |url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/greatest-singer-yesudas-naw606/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Exotic India Arts}}
• My Life and My Thoughts (Ayaan Publications - 2010), Yesudas' autobiography originally written in Malayalam in the form of articles published in different magazines, compiled and translated to English by K. V. Pisharady.{{Cite web |last=George |first=Liza |date=2010-07-03 |title=Ode to a singer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/Ode-to-a-singer/article16183648.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518231836/https://www.thehindu.com/books/Ode-to-a-singer/article16183648.ece |archive-date=18 May 2024 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The Hindu }}
• Athisayaragam (Mathrubhumi Books - 2011), book written by Ravi Menon traces not just the singer's oeuvre but also the many lives that got intertwined with that of a rising star.{{Cite web |last=Soman |first=Sandhya |date=2011-09-09 |title=Book on Yesudas tracks the men who made the star |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/book-on-yesudas-tracks-the-men-who-made-the-star/articleshow/9916686.cms |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The Times of India}}
• Das Capital (Mathrubhumi Books - 2011), an autobiography by Subhash Chandran whose life journey through Yesudas.{{Cite book |author=Subhash Chandran |author-link=Subhash Chandran |url=https://www.mbibooks.com/product/das-capital-2/ |title=Das Capital |publisher=Mathrubhumi Books |year=2011 |isbn=9788182652606 |access-date=2024-07-29}}
• Sangeethame Jeevitham (Lipi Publications - 2012), the first comprehensive textbook on Yesudas in Malayalam, written by Kunhikannal Vanimel.{{Cite web |title=Sangeethame Jeevitham – Padmasree Dr. K.J. Yesudas |url=https://lipipublications.com/product/sangeethame-jeevitham-padmasree-dr-k-j-yesudas/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Lipi Publications}}
• Yesudas: Oppam Nadanna Camera (Mathrubhumi Books - 2012), collection of photos of Yesudas from 1963 consists more than 150 pictures, mostly in black and white, by P. I. David.{{Cite web |last=Ajith Kumar |first=P. K. |date=2015-05-25 |title=Clicking the celstial voice |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/clicking-the-celestial-voice/article7242971.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729121955/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/clicking-the-celestial-voice/article7242971.ece |archive-date=29 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The Hindu }}
• Swaragandharvam (The New Media Space Books - 2014), a book on the musical journey of Yesudas, written by Saji Sreevalsom.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-05 |title=Book on K J Yesudas Released |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2014/Oct/05/book-on-k-j-yesudas-released-668197.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The New Indian Express}}
• Pattinte Palazhi (Saikatham Books - 2017), the complete biography of Yesudas by Mathukutty J. Kunnappally.{{Cite book |url=https://www.saikathambooks.com/Malayalam%20books,%20Saikatham%20books,%20Pattinte%20Palazhi,%20Mathukutty%20J.%20Kunnappally |title=Pattinte Palazhi |publisher=Saikatham Books |year=2017 |isbn=9789386222268 |language=Malayalam |access-date=2024-07-29}}
• Ithihaasa Gaayakan (Manorama Books - 2020), by Shajan C. Mathew.{{Cite book |url=https://keralabookstore.com/book/ithihaasa-gaayakan-yesudasinte-sangeetham-jeevitham/18666/ |title=Ithihaasa Gaayakan Yesudasinte Sangeetham Jeevitham |publisher=Manorama Books |year=2020 |isbn=9789389649192 |edition=1st |language=Malayalam |access-date=2024-07-29}}
• Yesudas: Malayalathinte Swarasagaram (SPCS - NBS - 2021) by S. Saradakkutty, a book published on his 60th year of musical journey, compiling the articles by Yesudas' colleagues, critics and fans.{{Cite book |author=S. Saradakkutty |author-link=S. Saradakkutty |url=https://www.spcsindia.com/book/yesudas-malayalathinte-swarasagaram |title=Yesudas: Malayalathinte Swarasagaram |publisher=Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society |year=2021 |isbn=9789391946517 |language=Malayalam |access-date=2024-07-29}}
• Yesudas: Sagarasangeetham (Kerala Bhasha Institute - 2024), a comprehensive book by G. B. Harindranath, celebrating the life and music of Yesudas.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-02 |title=Kerala Bhasha Institute to launch 'Yesudas Sagarasangeetham' book |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2024/Jul/02/kerala-bhasha-institute-to-launch-yesudas-sagarasangeetham-book |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=The New Indian Express}}

On 2 October 2014, Yesudas sparked a row while speaking at a public function on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, where he stated that "Women should not wear dress that trouble others. You should dress modestly and do not behave like men". This resulted in a number of protests from Women's Rights and political organisations, who asked him to withdraw the comment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-29471518|title=KJ Yesudas: India singer criticised for 'sexist' jeans remark|date=2014-10-03|newspaper=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115113713/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-29471518|archive-date=15 November 2018|url-status=live}}

• Azhakulla Saleena (1973)
• Theekkanal (1976)
• Sanchari (1981)
• Abhinayam (1981)
• Poocha Sanyasi (1981)
• Ellaam Ayyappan (1988)

{{Main|K. J. Yesudas discography}}

{{Main|K. J. Yesudas Tamil Discography}}

{{Main|List of Kannada songs recorded by K. J. Yesudas}}

{{Main|List of Hindi songs recorded by K. J. Yesudas}}

• Swaralaya Yesudas Award
• List of Carnatic singers
• Harivarasanam

• https://www.hungama.com/playlists/ultimate-k-j-yesudas-malayalam/2217/

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20210127205027/http://drkjyesudas.com/ Official website]
• [http://tharangni.com Tharangni Digital]
• {{IMDb name|0947748}}

{{commons category}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051015/saturday/main1.htm |title=Article on Yesudas: 'For me music is God'|work=The Tribune |date=15 October 2005 }}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}

{{National Film Award Best Male Playback Singer}}

{{FilmfareAwardBestMaleSinger}}

{{Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South}}

{{SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award}}

{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09}}

{{Music of Kerala}}

{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}

{{Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Winners of Kerala}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yesudas, K. J.}}

Category:1940 births

Category:Living people

Category:Bollywood playback singers

Category:Male Carnatic singers

Category:Carnatic singers

Category:Hindustani singers

Category:Indian male playback singers

Category:Kannada playback singers

Category:Kerala State Film Award winners

Category:Tamil playback singers

Category:Malayalam playback singers

Category:Malayali people

Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts

Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts

Category:Singers from Kochi

Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Category:Telugu playback singers

Category:Sanskrit-language singers

Category:Filmfare Awards winners

Category:Filmfare Awards South winners

Category:Film musicians from Kerala

Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in arts

Category:20th-century Indian male singers

Category:20th-century Indian singers

Category:21st-century Indian male singers

Category:21st-century Indian singers

Category:Best Male Playback Singer National Film Award winners

Category:J. C. Daniel Award winners

Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners

Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship