Legendary Playback Singer P. Jayachandran Passes Away

P. Jayachandran, fondly known as "Bhava Gayakan," was a celebrated playback singer revered for his ability to evoke profound emotions like love, devotion, and longing through his soulful voice. He passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, leaving an irreplaceable void in the Indian music industry. His illustrious career spanned six decades, earning him a timeless legacy.

P. Jayachandran, fondly referred to as “Bhava Gayakan,” was a legendary playback singer whose voice masterfully expressed profound emotions like love, devotion, and longing. He passed away at the age of 80 after battling a prolonged illness, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian music industry. Known for his soulful renditions across multiple languages, Jayachandran’s career spanned over six decades, during which he recorded more than 16,000 songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. His passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and music enthusiasts nationwide.

Key Highlights of P. Jayachandran’s Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Birth: March 3, 1944, in Ernakulam, Kerala, to Ravi Varma Kochaniyan Thampuran and Subhadra Kunjamma.
Education: Graduated in Zoology from Christ College, Irinjalakuda.
Musical Beginnings: Started his journey in high school, excelling in playing the mridangam and singing light classical music.

Musical Beginnings

Debut: Entered playback singing in 1965 with the song “Oru Mullappoo Malayumayi” for the film Kunjali Marakkar.
First Release: “Manjalayil Mungithorthi” from the film Kalithozhan.
Key Milestone: Won first place in mridangam at the 1958 state school kalotsavam, where he met K. J. Yesudas, a pivotal figure in his career.

Career Achievements

Recorded over 16,000 songs across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.
Collaborated with iconic composers like G. Devarajan, M. S. Baburaj, Ilaiyaraaja, and A. R. Rahman.
Renowned for his work with Ilaiyaraaja, especially the timeless song “Rasathi Unna Kanatha Nenju” from Vaidehi Kathirundal.
Awards:
- National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
- Kerala State Film Awards (five times).
- J.C. Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema.
“Shiva Shankara Sharana Sarva Vibho” from Sree Narayana Guru earned him a National Award for devotional singing.

Personal Life

Survived by his wife Lalitha, daughter Lakshmi, and son Dinanathan, who is also a singer.
Funeral to be held at his ancestral home in Chendamangalam on Saturday.

Tributes and Condolences

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar: Praised Jayachandran’s voice for enchanting audiences for over six decades.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan: Acknowledged his timeless songs that captured the hearts of generations.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan: Described him as a rare voice that resonated deeply with listeners for decades.

P. Jayachandran’s unparalleled contribution to Indian music will continue to inspire generations, and his melodies will remain etched in the hearts of his admirers forever.

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