Legendary playback singer P Jayachandran passes away at 81

Photo: Instagram/@the_hindu

Renowned playback singer and National Award winner P Jayachandran passed away on Thursday at the age of 80. The iconic singer, often called the “Melody King,” breathed his last at a hospital in Thrissur, Kerala, where he had been undergoing treatment for cancer.

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Jayachandran's remarkable career left a profound impact on the music industry, particularly in Malayalam cinema. However, his contributions extended far beyond Kerala, as he made a significant mark in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and even Hindi cinema.

The singer's journey in music began in 1965 with his first recorded song, “Oru Mullappoomalayumaayi,” composed by P Bhaskaran for the movie Kunhalimarikkar. However, his voice was first heard on screen in the song “Manjalayil Mungi Thorthi,” composed by G Devarajan for the film Kalithozhan. Over the decades, he sang more than 16,000 songs, earning love and admiration from listeners across generations.

Jayachandran’s collaborations with legendary composers like V Dakshinamoorthy, MS Baburaj, G Devarajan, MB Sreenivasan, Vidyasagar, Ouseppachan, Suresh Peters, and M Jayachandran produced some of Malayalam cinema’s most cherished songs. His voice stood the test of time, resonating with fans from the 1970s to the 2020s.

In Tamil cinema, Jayachandran made his debut with MS Viswanathan’s composition “Thanga Chimil Pol” in the movie Manipayal. He went on to work with legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, delivering hits like “Raasathi Unna,” “Poova Eduthu Oru,” and “Thaalaattudhey Vaanam.” He also received his first Tamil Nadu State Film Award for the song “Kaththaazha Kaatu Vazhi,” composed by AR Rahman. Notably, it was Rahman who gave Jayachandran his first opportunity to sing in Hindi.

In addition to film songs, Jayachandran was deeply appreciated for his devotional music in Tamil and Malayalam. His voice brought soul and serenity to devotional albums, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.

Jayachandran's legacy is defined by his powerful voice, which continued to captivate audiences for more than five decades. His songs remain timeless treasures, loved by fans of all ages. The music world mourns the loss of a true legend, whose melodies will live on forever.