P. Jayachandran, the National Award-winning Vocalist, Has Passed Away
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Thrissur, Jan 9 (NationPress) The iconic vocalist P. Jayachandran has left us, passing away at a hospital on Thursday night after losing consciousness at home. Despite immediate medical attention, he could not be revived.
At the age of 80, Jayachandran was battling a terminal illness. His illustrious career in music spanned over 60 years, during which he recorded more than 16,000 songs across various languages.
He was honored with the National Award for Best Singer, along with five Kerala State awards and two Tamil Nadu state awards.
In 2020, he received the J.C. Daniel Prize, the highest film accolade in Kerala, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the film industry.
Born into the Cochin Royal family on March 3, 1944, he completed his degree in Zoology and transitioned from a brief stint in work to pursue his true passion—singing.
His first Malayalam film song debuted in 1965, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey.
Though he faced competition from the legendary K.J. Yesudas, their first meeting occurred at the inaugural State School Youth festival in 1958, where Jayachandran won the award for the best mridangam artist, and Yesudas was recognized as the best classical singer. This led to a healthy rivalry and mutual respect.
Throughout his extensive film career, he collaborated with numerous composers, including Oscar-winning composer M. Keeravani, along with legends such as G. Devarajan, Illayaraja, and A.R. Rahman. A devoted follower of the renowned Sree Krishna temple Guruvayoor, he recently performed a song for Lord Guruvayoorapan, even while unwell.
Jayachandran married Lalitha in May 1973, and they have two children—a daughter and a son, Dinanath, who is also involved in the music industry.
He also had roles in two Malayalam films. As news of his passing spreads, condolences have begun to flood in, with tributes pouring from various sectors, honoring the legendary singer.
