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The power of staying
 At a time when new singers and
music directors keep cropping up for every single movie, it is a mammoth
achievement for one to sustain for 25 years in the playback field. K J Yesudas
has done just that, by singing not only for south Indian movies but also created
a niche for himself in north Indian movies, creating his own style. Like the
success he has achieved in the field of playback singing, he has done so in the
field of Carnatic music also.
Though his first introduction
to cinema was through the song 'Neeyum Bommai, Naanum Bommai', he came to the
limelight through the song “Deivam Thantha Veedu' (film 'Aval Oru Thodarkadai'),
which became popular throughout Tamil Nadu.
He has the distinction of
singing playback for most of the heroes in Malayalam movies and also runs a
sound recording studio called 'Tharangini' in Chennai.
Your native
place and about your parents...
My native place is Cochin in
Kerala. I was born January 10, 1940. My father Augustin Joseph was an actor and
a singer. He had not learnt Carnatic music and so he wanted someone from the
family to learn the art.
We were five of us in the
family and we all had interest in music. But I was the fortunate one to be
chosen by my father for this purpose. Generally, Christians don't come forward
to learn music, especially Carnatic music, but my father was different. I
started learning music when I was five years old.
Who were
your gurus in Carnatic music?
My first guru was my father.
Then I learnt from Kunjuvelan Aasan, who was a disciple of Nagaswara vidwan
Rajaratnam Pillai. Then came Joseph, Ramakutti Bhagavathar and Sivarama Nayar.
All of them were my gurus.
 Later I joined
Thirubuvanathurai R L V Music Academy to study music and after finishing my
final year, I did a four-year 'Ganabhushanam' course, which I finished in just
three years as I was already trained in music. My guru here was K R Kumaraswamy
who taught me most of the fine nuances of music. Then, to finish the Vidwan
course, I joined the Swati Thirunal Academy in Thiruvananthapuram. Semmangudi
Srinivasa Iyer was the principal then. But I could not continue after a year due
to health reasons and came back to Cochin.
Please tell us about your guru
Chembai...
The credit for making me such a great man today goes to my guru Chembai. I cannot forget the concert in which Chembai took part and appreciated me and blessed me. I became popular after I came in touch with Chembai. The blessings and teachings of my guru is the motivating factor for my mastering Carnatic music.
When did you
enter films and your experiences in the field?
My first entry was in 1961 and
my first film was 'Kaalpadugal', a Malayalam movie. I sang just four lines but
to me they were golden lines. They are etched in my memory. The song was written
by Narayana Guruswamy, which advised one to embrace universal brotherhood
without caste distinction. I sing this song wherever I go, as it fits the social
climate that is prevailing now.
How did you
enter Tamil cinema?
As I was in Chennai, I was
called to sing in Tamil movies. I sang 'Neeyum Bommai, Naanum Bommai' for
S.Balachandar, who also directed the film, 'Bommai'.
After that, I was not given
much opportunity. Then Viswanathan-Ramamurthy duo, who were literally ruling the
roost, invited me to sing for the film 'Kadhalikka Neramillai'. Then a wide gap
before M S Viswanthan gave me the chance to sing for the film 'Aval Oru
Thodarkadhai'. The song 'Dhaivam Thantha Veedu' made me popular and offers
started pouring in.
How was your
experience with M G Ramachandran when you sang for his film 'Urimai Kural'?
One day, our late chief
minister M G Ramachandran called me over and asked me to sing the song 'Vizhiye
Kadhai Ezhudhu'. I was elated and thrilled. My happiness doubled when the song
became a hit.
MGR is a
mahaan. I came to know
about him at a later stage. He not only gave importance to music but more to the
art itself. His character was such that he turned even his foes into friends.
 For example, at a time when he
had difference of opinion with Kannadasan politically, he was not satisfied with
the lyrics for a particular song. Finally, he himself suggested that Kannadasan
be called to write the lyrics. Others around him were hesitant but MGR was firm.
He told them that Kannadasan had no equal and asked them to approach him for the
lyrics. Kannadasan also obliged and the song was 'Odum Megangale' for the film 'Aayirathil
Oruvan'. Enmity vanished... and art gained importance...
About
singing for Hindi films...
When I was busy singing in
Malayalam movies, Salil Choudhary made me sing for the film 'Semmeen'. The film
and the songs became a big hit not only in Kerala but throughout India. Then
Salil Choudhary invited me to sing for a Hindi film, called 'Anand Mahal'. I
sang the song 'Nisagamapadhani' for that particular film. Though the film 'Choti
Si Baath' was released first, this song was my first one in Hindi.
The turning point came when I
sang for the film 'Chit Chor'. Ravindra Jain, the music director of the film,
was a genius. He used to write the lyrics and compose the music also. This film
gave me a big breakthrough in Hindi films.
How many
languages have you sung in?
As far as south Indian
languages are concerned, I have rendered songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and
Telugu. I have sung in Hindi also. Totally, I would have sung more than 30,000
songs. It should be mentioned that most of my songs encourage the feeling of
unity and brotherhood among the people.
Awards and
medals you have won...
I was given the national award
for the first time when I sang for the film 'Achanum Bapaiyum' 'in 1972.
In 1973, I was bestowed with
the title 'Padma Sri' after the Malayalam film 'Gayathri'. So far I have won
national awards seven times. (five for Malayalam, one for Hindi and one for
Telugu). Other than these, I have won state-level
awards also.
I have also been nominated as 'Asthana
Vidwan' of Udupi, Sringeri
and Raghavendra mutts.
When did you
start 'Tharangini' and how is it progressing?
 It is nearly 26 years since
Tharangini was started. It is related to my musical life. In the olden days,
there were music companies which dominated and were particular that no one else
should enter that field. Other artistes were scared to oppose them but I was
not. I started Tharangini, and by God's grace, it is progressing well.
We were the ones who gave the
multi-record for the Tamil film 'Priya'. We started this company in 1971. The
contribution of Tharangini in the release of audio cassettes during that time was
immense. It was the first recording centre and studio that was started in Kerala....
Later a voice-mixing studio was started in Chennai.
Apart from my music
albums,
Tharangini has also produced albums of upcoming singers.
Are you
interested in composing music?
I would like to be a music
director also. I have composed music for 5-6 Malayalam films. But I could not
continue for which my retentive power is to be blamed.
If I listened to some song, it
used to be registered in my mind very deeply. So when I used to compose music,
it used to reflect the shades of the songs that I had rendered. I did not like
it and time was also a constraint.
In the olden times, the
singer's voice used to be heard clearly but nowadays it is the music which is
heard more... Your opinion on this....
You are right. It is my wish
that this should be avoided. Of course, everything should change in keeping with
the times. One has to know about old music also. In olden days, our grandfathers
used to wear dhotis but nowadays youngsters wear pants. It is not wrong but they
should know how to wear dhotis too. The same with music..
Though you
are a Christian, you are a devotee of Lord Ayyappa....How did this happen?
 Many people are of the view
that I have changed my religion. I love 'Parabrahmam' and to me he cannot be
identified with any religion.
In the same way, if you wear
the 'Ayyappa malai' you become one, even if you are a Hindu or a Christian or a
low caste. You become Ayyappan for 48 days, chant his name and keep it within
yourself, whoever you are... where can you find such an experience?
God has given the 'Five
Elements' to us for free and we are using them commercially... God has provided
everything, right from an ant to human beings but man has been selfish in
converting them for his own profit. I did not take the wrong path... Nobody need
mistake me.. .I have been going to the Ayyappa temple for nearly 30 years.
Some time
ago, you started a 'voice bank' project. What happened to it?
Chitra was the reason for my
starting this 'voice bank'. She was singing track for other singers in our
Tharangini studios. So, she was well-trained. Sujatha also was one of them.
When I advertised for the voice
bank, I had only Carnatic musicians in mind like Unni Krishnan and
Unni Menon.
But the idea was mistaken by many and we received 40,000 applications as they
came for free.
I formed centres in places like
Madurai and under personal supervision, I recorded, edited and chose 20 singers.
They are doing well now.
Nowadays the media is playing a
powerful role and I feel that a voice bank is not necessary.
You sang
with great artistes like P Susheela and S Janaki. How was your feeling then?
 I was not scared or tensed as
they helped me in my singing. We used to observe them and sing... but now the
situation has changed... Each one sings and leaves... Nobody knows what they
have altered after we finish our work....
For whom
have you sung the most? Who is your favourite singer?
I have worked with M S
Viswanathan, Ilayaraja, Devarajan, Dhakshinamurthy, Baburaj... I like Mohammed
Rafi's voice. I got an opportunity to sing along with him but due to unavoidable
circumstances it did not happen. He used to address me as his son, which made me
feel proud. I have known Kishore Kumar also.
How are you
able to manage singing in cinemas and Carnatic music? What difference do you
find between them?
There are a lot of differences.
Gamakkam is important in music. The difference lays in combining each raga. One
has to concentrate on minute details.
I should mention that I have
two mothers. One is the movie mother and the other is Carnatic mother. The
former gave me courage and the latter is my original one.
Among your
sons, who is your heir?
 My second son Vijay is singing
now. But he has to learn more. I advice him to train himself more and give total
concentration to music.
What is your
opinion about the view that one can enjoy the song only when it is sung in the
mother tongue?
There is no language barrier in
music. It is wrong to say that people listen without understanding what is being
sung. They should not avoid such music...
How many understand if
keerthanas are sung in Tamil? Once I sang an Arabic song in the Raga Anandha
Bhairavi for Arabs. They applauded me and likewise I sang an English song in a
programme and everyone liked it. Only when you hear wholeheartedly, can you
understand.
About your
foreign trips......
I am a Senate member in the
International Parliament for Safety and Peace, an organization in the U.S. In
1965, I was invited by the Russian Government to perform as a cultural delegate
in various parts of Russia; I sang a Russian song over Radio Kazakhstan, which
was widely lauded by local fans.
During the Pakistani wars in
1965 and 1971, I conducted many music programmes to collect funds and handed
them over to our then prime minister Indira Gandhi. I have visited many
countries abroad, especially European countries like Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
France, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden.
About M S
Subbulakshmi and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer...
The sacrifices they have made
for the world of Carnatic music is immeasurable. MS, Semmangudi and Sembai have
spread music at times when opportunities were minimal... It is a great honour to
live at the same period as they were.
Do you sing
at the Tyagaraja aradhana festival every year?
Yes, I sing every year without
fail. But this year I could not do so. I visit Mookambika temple every year on
January 10. I had to sing in a nearby village. I thought of finishing it and
return to Tiruvaiyaru but I could not reach the airport on time. I called up
Kunnakudi on phone and expressed my inability to attend the festival. As I had
to leave for Sabarimala with my family on January 13, I could not attend the
festival.
What is your advice to
youngsters and do you feel that Carnatic music is declining?
It is true that youngsters are
showing a lot of interest in learning Carnatic music. It is obvious when one
views programmes like Sapthaswaram on TV. I have only one thing to say.... One
should listen to old, renowned musicians... One should continue to sing and not
forget our culture.
What is your
opinion about teaching music via the Internet?
How much ever one learns
through the Internet, it is not equivalent to learning from one's guru. A mere
book will not teach one Bhairavi raaga. 'Karnam' means ear. 'Adakkam' means to
store it in one's ears .My opinion is that it is not the same as sitting in
front of a guru and learning from his facial expressions.
There is a rumour that you have
settled down in America?
That's what everyone thinks. I
had gone to America for my children's education. I have come to India for good.
I am staying in Chennai and will stay put here.
K
T Sri
Translated by Radha N
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