There are so many legendary singers in the world. But one voice does not fail to touch my soul every single time.. It’s the voice of Shri KJ Yesudas. The love for such an awesome voice has always been there within me, even as a child I would enjoy listening to him. Over the years the love for his voice has only grown strong and the happiness I feel when I hear him sing is beyond explanation.
As a child I have heard Yesudas sing a lot of Carnatic music. I owe a lot to my dad who introduced me to good music. I particularly remember listening to “Krishna nee begane baaro”, the only rendition of the song I really like; I cannot enjoy this song by anyone else. I think that was the first song I enjoyed of Yesudas. There is one more album of his - “Tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru”. It is a collection of classical, devotional and patriotic songs. There is one song I really enjoy – “Krishan deewani” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBfTovgt5dQ. This is a meera bhajan, but the lyric is different. Its Krishna singing to His ‘Deewaani’ Meera and not the other way round. The song is beautiful and in Yesudas’s voice, its just magic. All songs in this album are just great and I keep listening to them often. I have heard it so often that I can play the songs in my mind and feel like I am listening to them. Thanks to my dad, that’s how frequently we had music playing in my house.
Of his other devotional albums, I really like “Mayilpeeli” – A collection of Guruvayurappan songs. http://www.musicindiaonline.com/album/154-Malayalam_Devotional/19969-Mayilpeeli/#/album/154-Malayalam_Devotional/19969-Mayilpeeli/. The song “ Guruvayuppa Ninmunnil” is my favourite.
The Ayyappan song “Harivarasanam” needs no introduction! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcQCkkVKC5w . It should be an honour for Yesudas to have this song played every night in sabarimala temple. What a blessing! Nobody can make this song what it is, I bet. Listening to this song is pure bliss.
As I grew up, I started to listen to his film songs. So many melodious songs to his name! I cannot mention all of my favourites, here are a few : Raja raja chozhan naan, deivam thandha veedu, amma endrazhaikkadha, sendhazham poovil, mookkuthi poo mele, Un paarvayil, Paartha vizhi paarthapadi, Gangai karai mannanadi and much more.
He has a very unique voice. My dream is to meet him and tell him how much I love his music and voice. This mellifluous voice just celebrated his 72nd birthday and I wish this Legend a long, prosperous and healthy life.
In krishna Diwani song - the 2nd charanam lines:
ReplyDelete"preeth me bhakti jab mila jayee
jag to kya srusthi hil jaaye"
This is my favorite. When Devotion merges in Love then the whole world and creation comes to a stand still. This is one of the ways to enter Stillness.
those are exactly my favorite lines too :)
ReplyDeleteI have been a close fan of his music right from 1975. i had the privilege of being introduced to KJY by Unni Menon in his own wedding reception. Unni said "Meet your big fan !" Don't know how many of his concerts I attended. Yes, Krishna Diwani is one of my all time favourites. KJY's voice in the album (Tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru) is one of his best. I believe it was a live recording, where late PM Rajiv Gandhi was is his audience !
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