# P. Jayachandran

Paliyath Jayachandran (3 March 1944 – 9 January 2025) was an Indian playback singer and actor from Kerala. He collaborated with composers, G. Devarajan, M. S. Baburaj, V. Dakshinamoorthy, K. Raghavan, M. K. Arjunan, M. S. Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, Koti, Shyam, A. R. Rahman, M. M. Keeravani, Vidyasagar and M Jayachandran. Over the course of his career, he recorded more than 16,000 songs in multiple languages and appeared in a few films.
In 1986, he won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and also won Kerala State Film Award five times. In 2020, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, the highest award in Malayalam cinema, for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest expression singers in South India. He also won 2 Tamil Nadu state film awards.
Jayachandran died from liver cancer in Thrissur, Kerala, on 9 January 2025, at the age of 80. He was cremated with full state honours at his ancestral home in Chendamangalam, North Paravur, Kerala on 11 January 2025.

## Early life

Jayachandran was born in Paliyath palace at Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, on 3rd March 1944, and his family later moved to Ravipuram in Eranakulam District. He is the third of five children of the late Ravivarma Kochaniyan Thampuran, a member of the Cochin royal family, who was himself a musician, though never a professional singer, and the late Paliyath Subhadrakkunjamma, and also the second of their three sons. His siblings were late Sudhakaran (1940-1990), late Sarasija (1942-2018), Krishnakumar (born 1946) and Jayanthi (born 1948).
Jayachandran was a student of the National High School, Irinjalakuda, from where he received many prizes for playing the mridangam and light music in the State School Youth Festival. He then studied at the Christ College, Irinjalakuda, completing his degree in Zoology.
Jayachandran married Lalitha from Thrissur in May 1973. They have a daughter named Lakshmi and a son named Dinanath, who also sang for films.

## Career

Jayachandran met K. J. Yesudas in 1958 when he participated in the state youth festival. Yesudas won the Best Classical Singer award, and Jayachandran won the Best Mridangist award in the same year.
Jayachandran won a National Award, five Kerala State Awards and four Tamil Nadu State Awards. He recorded songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi.
In 1967, he sang the evergreen song "Anuragaganam pole", composed by M.S. Baburaj, for the film Udhyogastha, directed by P. Venu. Later together, P. Venu and Jayachandran produced more hits like "Ninmaniarayile" C.I.D. Nazir 1971 and "Malayala Bashathan" Prethangalude Thazhvara 1973. Jayachandran received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer in 1972 for the song "Neelagiriyude ('Suprabhaatham')" for the film Panitheeratha Veedu. Its music was done by M. S. Viswanathan. The year 1978 brought him another Kerala State award, this time for the song "Ragam Sreeragam" from the film Bandhana, composed by M. B. Sreenivasan. In 1985 he received the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Sivasankara Sarva Saranya Vibho" from the film Sree Narayana Guru, composed by G. Devarajan. The song "Prayam Nammil", from the film Niram, brought him a third Kerala state award in 1998. In 2015 he received the next state award for his songs in Jilebi and Ennu ninte Moideen 46th Kerala State Film Awards. In 1975, he sang for the Malayalam movie Penpada (with music by R. K. Shekhar) a song called "Velli then Kinnam Pol", regarded as the first composition of the then 9-year-old Dileep Shekhar, now more widely known as A. R. Rahman.
Jayachandran worked in close collaboration with the composer Ilayaraja, producing numerous popular hits in the Tamil language, including "Raasaathi Unna", "Kaathirundhu Kaathirundhu" (both from the 1984 release Vaidhegi kaathirundhaal), "Mayanginen Solla Thayanginen" (from the 1985 release Naaney raaja naaney mandhiri), "Vaalkaiye Vesham" (from the 1979 release Aarilirundhu Arubathu Varai), "Poova Eduthu Oru" (from the 1986 release Amman Kovil Kizhakaaley) and "Thaalaattudhey Vaanam" (from the 1981 release Kadal Meengal). In 1994, he received the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Singer for the song "Kathazham Kattuvazhi" for the film Kizhakku Cheemayile, composed by A. R. Rahman. As a recognition of his contribution to Tamil film music, he was honoured with the 1997 Kalaimamani award of the Tamil Nadu Government.
Jayachandran was honoured with the Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas award at the beginning of 2001, which he was the first person to receive. The motive behind this award is to choose the best from the singers and lyricists, within a span of 30 years. He has sung nearly 1000 songs for Malayalam movies over the years, according to the MSI information database.
Jayachandran sang in Hindi for the first time in 2008 for the movie ADA...A Way of Life along with Alka Yagnik, with music scored by A. R. Rahman.

## Discography
### Tamil Songs

| Year | Film | Song | Composer |
| 1973 | Manipayal | Thanga Chimil Pol | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1973 | Alaigal | Ponnenna Poovenna | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1974 | Naan Avanillai | Manthaara Malare | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1976 | Moondru Mudichu | Vasanthakaala Nadhigalile | M S Viswanathan |
| 1977 | Thoondil Meen | Ennodu Ennenavo Ragasiyam | V. Kumar |
| 1978 | Kizhake Pogum Rail | Mancholai Kilithano | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1978 | Kaatrile Varum Geetham | Chithirai Sevvanam | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1978 | Kaatrile Varum Geetham | Oru Vaanavil | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1978 | Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai | Vaazhkaiye Vesham | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1979 | Azhiyatha Kolangal | Poovannam Pola | Salil Chowdary |
| 1979 | Muthal Iravu | Manjal Nilavukku | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1980 | Oru Thalai Ragam | Kadavul Vaazhum kovilile | T.Rajendar |
| 1980 | Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam | Ullamellam Thalladuthe | Salil Chowdary |
| 1980 | Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal | Thavikkuthu Thayanguthu | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1980 | Naan Nanethan | Ethanai Avathaaram Adada | KV Mahadevan |
| 1981 | Kadal Meengal | Thaalattuthey Vaanam | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1981 | Antha 7 Naatkal | Kavithai Arangerum Neram | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1981 | Antha 7 Naatkal | Thendraladhu Unnidathil | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1981 | Rail Payanangalil | Vasantha Kaalangal | T.Rajendar |
| 1981 | Tharaiyil Vaazhum Meengal | Mani Maaligai | Chandrabose |
| 1981 | Kallukkul Therai | Vaa Vaa Aadi Vaa | Shyam |
| 1982 | Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | Oru Ooril | Shankar-Ganesh |
| 1982 | Nenjil Oru Raagam | Idhaya Vaasal | T.Rajendar |
| 1982 | Raaga Bandhangal | Malaro Nilavo Malai Magalo | Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan |
| 1983 | Soorakkottai singakutti | Kaalidasan Kannadasan | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1983 | Dowry Kalyanam | Endhan Kannana | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1984 | Azhagu | Mounamulla Mayakkam | G. K. Venkatesh |
| 1984 | Madras Vaathiyar | Vizhigale | Shankar-Ganesh |
| 1984 | Pudhumai Penn | Kadhal Mayakkam | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1984 | Sonna Namba Maateenga | Valarpirai | Lakshminarayana |
| 1985 | Pagal Nilavu | Pooviley Medai | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1985 | Marudhani | Vilakku Vecha | Gangai Amaran |
| 1985 | Pillai Nila | Raja Magal Roja Malar | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1985 | Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri | Mayanginen Solla Thayanginen | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1985 | Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri | Dhegam Siragadikkum | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1985 | Vaidehi Kathirunthal | Kaathirundhu Kaathirundhu | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1985 | Vaidehi Kathirunthal | Rasathi Unna | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1985 | Vaidehi Kathirunthal | Indraiku Yen Indha Aanandame | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1985 | Yaaro Azhaikiraargal | Indha Iravil | Shankar–Ganesh |
| 1986 | Samsaram Adhu Minsaram | Azhagiya Anni | Shankar–Ganesh |
| 1986 | December Pookkal | Azhaga Sirithathu | Ilayaraja |
| 1986 | Natpu | "Unnai Kaana", "Adi Maadi" | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1986 | Rasigan Oru Rasigai | Ammai Adi Amma | Raveendran |
| 1986 | Amman Kovil Kizhakale | Poova Eduthu Oru Maala | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1986 | Punnagai Mannan | "Kavithai Kelungal Karuvil" | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1986 | Kadalora Kavithaigal | Kodiyile Malliyappoo | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1986 | Manakanakku | En Manakoottu, Chinna Chinna Manja Poosi Maavaduva | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1987 | Poo Poova Poothirukku | Poo Pootha Chediya Kaanom | T.Rajendar |
| 1987 | Chinna Poove Mella Pesu | Chinna Poove Mella Pesu | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1987 | Isaikku Oru Koil | Thirunaalum Varumo Swaami | K. V. Mahadevan |
| 1987 | Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan | "Naadirukkum" | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1987 | Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan | "En Manasa" | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1988 | Senthoora Poove | Sothanai Theeravilla | Manoj–Gyan |
| 1988 | Manasukkul Mathappu | Poonthendrale Nee | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1988 | Solla Thudikuthu Manasu | Enathu Vizhi | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1988 | Oorai Therinjukitten | Thalattuven Kanmani | Gangai Amaran |
| 1989 | En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan | Pullai Kooda Paada | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1989 | En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan | Poomudithu | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1989 | Nethiyadi | Naan Unakku Paattu | Pandiarajan |
| 1989 | Rajanadai | Kasthoori Maankutty | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1990 | Inaindha Kaigal | "Andhinera Thendral" | Gyan Varma |
| 1990 | Pachai Kodi | "Ennavadhu Indha" | Gangai Amaran |
| 1990 | Pudhu Padagan | "Vaaraayo Vanna Kili" | Kalaipuli S Thanu |
| 1990 | Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal | "Thirunaal Vanthathuda" | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1990 | Urudhi Mozhi | "Adhikaalai Nilave" | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1991 | Archana IAS | "Naalu Vaarthai" | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1991 | Oorellaam Un Paattu | "Noorandu Vaazhum" | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1992 | Deiva Vaakku | "Oorellam Saamiyaga" | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1992 | Ellaichami | "Umai Kuyil Onnu" | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1992 | Idhuthanda Sattam | "Azhagana Poonthottam" | S. P. Venkatesh |
| 1992 | Pondatti Rajyam | "Uchimara Pachakiliye" | Deva |
| 1992 | Ponnuketha Purushan | "Devathai Vanthaal" | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1992 | Solaiyamma | "Merku Thodarchi"(Male) | Deva |
| 1993 | Kizhakku Cheemayile | Kattazham Kattuvazhi | A. R. Rahman |
| 1993 | Pon Vilangu | Oru Kolakili | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1993 | Pon Vilangu | Indha Pachakili | Ilaiyaraja |
| 1994 | Kadhalan | Kollaiyele Thennai | A. R. Rahman |
| 1994 | Atha Maga Rathiname | Alli Alli Thandha Nila | Gangai Amaran |
| 1994 | Vandicholai Chinraasu | Chitthirai Nilavu | A. R. Rahman |
| 1994 | May Madham | Enmel Vizhunda | A. R. Rahman |
| 1994 | Thai Maaman | Aazha Samuthiram | Deva |
| 1994 | Chinna Pulla | Ammadi Aathadi | Adithyan |
| 1995 | Pasumpon | Adi Aathi | Vidyasagar |
| 1996 | Poove Unakkaga | Sollamale Yaar Parthathu | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1997 | Putham Pudhu Poove | Sammanthi Poovukkum | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1998 | Aval Varuvala | Idhu Kaadhalin Sangeetham | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1998 | Nilaave Vaa | Kadalamma | Vidyasagar |
| 1999 | A. K. 47 | Amma | Hamsalekha |
| 2000 | Vaanathaippola | Kadhal Vennila (sad) | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 2002 | Kannathil Muthamittal | Kannathil Muthamittal | A. R. Rahman |
| 2002 | Sundhara Travels | Malliga Poovukku | Bharani |
| 2002 | Sundhara Travels | Nee Santhanam Poosiya | Bharani |
| 2002 | Baba | Rajyama Illai Imayama | A. R. Rahman |
| 2003 | Chokka Thangam | Vellaiyay Manam | Deva |
| 2004 | Engal Anna | Konji Konji Pesum | Deva |
| 2005 | Meesai Madhavan | Kabuliwala | Bharani |
| 2005 | Vetrivel Sakthivel | En Chella Kannamma | Srikanth Deva |
| 2006 | Thambi | Poovanathil Maram | Vidyasagar |
| 2006 | Sudesi | Kalyana Kanavu | Srikanth Deva |
| 2007 | Kreedam | Kanavellam | G. V. Prakashkumar |
| 2018 | Amutha | Kannaadi Maalai | Arun Gopan |
| 2020 | Vanmurai | Chinna Poove | Sunny Viswanath |

### Tamil Christian Devotional Songs

* "Uravodu Vaazhum" – Deiva Tharisanam
* "Nanbanukkaga" – Deiva Tharisanam
* "Nilavum Thoongum" – Thaagam
* "Ponmaalai Neram" – Thaagam
* "Amaidhiyin Thoothanay" –
* "Enathu Vizhiyil Unathu Paarvai" –
* "Amaithi Thedi Alaiyum Nenjame" – Paathai

### Malayalam

* "Manjalayil Mungi Thorthi" – Kalithozhan
* "Aalilathaaliyumaayi" - Mizhi Randilum
* "Aaraarum Kaanaathe" - Chandrolsavam
* "Keranirakalaadum" - Jalolsavam
* "Shishirakaala Meghamidhuna" - Devaraagam
* "Therirangum Mukile" – Mazhathullikilukkam
* "Olanjali Kuruvi" – 1983
* "Ithaloornnu Veena" – Thanmathra
* "Praayam Nammil" - Niram
* "Harshbashpam Thooki" – Muthassi
* "Ariyathe Ariyathe" – Ravanaprabhu
* "Pattil Ee Pattil" – Pranayam
* "Sharadambaram" – Ennu Ninte Moideen
* "Mannappm chuttu" – Marubhoomiyile Aana
* "Podi meesha" – Pa Va
* "Neeyoru Puzhayayi" – Thilakkam
* "Poove Poove" – Devadoothan
* "Aaru Paranju" – Pulival Kalyanam
* "Mazhavannu" – Puzhikkadakan
* "Kalabhachuvaru Vecha Meda" – Aval Oru Thudar Katha
* "Peyneer Poley" – Otta
* "Premikumbol neeyum njanum" – Salt N' Pepper
* "Kannil kaashi" – Dreams
* "Enthe Innum Vanneela" – Gramophone (film)
* "Njaanoru Malayalee" – Jilebi (2015 film)

### Kannada songs

| Year | Film | Song | Composer |
| 1980 | Hanthakana Sanchu | "Jeevana Sanjeevana" | Vijaya Bhaskar |
| 1981 | Ranganayaki | "Mandara Pushpavu" | M. Ranga Rao |
| 1981 | Muniyana Madari | "Kalgejje Thalake" | Rajan-Nagendra |
| 1982 | Maanasa Sarovara | "Chanda Chanda" | Vijaya Bhaskar |
| 1982 | Praya Praya Praya | "Bhoomi Thayane Nee Ishta" | Upendra Kumar |
| 1983 | Bhakta Prahladha | "Kamala Nayana" | M. Rangarao |
| 1984 | Amrutha Ghalige | "Hindusthanvu endu mareyada" | Vijaya Bhaskar |
| 1984 | Masanada Hoovu | "Kannada Naadina Karavali" | Vijaya Bhaskar |
| 1987 | Olavina Udugore | "Olavina Udugore" | M. Rangarao |
* "Kala mattomme Namagagi (Kiladigalu)"
* "Alukade Balukutha (Kiladigalu)"
* "Savira Hoogalali (Suvarna Sethuve)"
* "Uyyale Adona Banniro (Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage)"
* "Uppina Saagaraku (Masanada Hoovu)"
* "Sridevi Madhavi Kannota Beda (Ganeshana Madhuve)"
* "Premada Shruthi Meetide (Ganeshana Maduve)"
* "Manasu Kaleyithu (Raithana Makkalu)"

### Malayalam music albums

* Pranayamarmaram – 2009.

### Hindi songs

* "Milo Wahan Wahan" (from movie ADA, Debut song in Hindi)

### Telugu Discography

| Year | Film | Song | Composer |
| 1982 | Evaru Veeru Evaru Veeru | "Idhi Maatalu Raani Vela" | Ramesh Naidu |
| 1982 | Evaru Veeru Evaru Veeru | "Kalavu Vache Vela Ani" | Ramesh Naidu |
| 1982 | Evaru Veeru Evaru Veeru | "Ippude Thelisindhi" | Ramesh Naidu |
| 1982 | O aadadhi O Magaadu | "O Magadu O Aadadhi" | M. S. Viswanathan |
| 1983 | Subha Muhurtham | "Nee Choopu" | Chakravarthy |
| 1984 | Ooha Sundari | "Adharam Entha Madhuram" | Chakravarthy |
| 1984 | Swathi | "Chamanthi Poola Mokka" | Chakravarthy |
| 1984 | Swathi | "Pagalantha Gaganaaniki" | Chakravarthy |
| 1985 | Ee Tharam Illalu | "Raagam Madhuram" | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1987 | Thalli Godavari | "Rathiri Sagam Ayyevela" | Ramesh Naidu |
| 1989 | Two Town Rowdy | "Vaddhura Niddhara" | Raj–Koti |
| 1994 | Vanitha | "Ye Thalli Kannadani" | A. R. Rahman |
| 1994 | Premikudu | "Muttukunte Kandipoye" | A. R. Rahman |
| 1995 | Errodu | "Yedari Seemalalo" | Vandemataram Srinivas |
| 1996 | Gunshot | "Pichi Gaali Vachi Paddadhi" | S. V. Krishna Reddy |
| 1996 | Gunshot | "Yedho Mamatha" | S. V. Krishna Reddy |
| 1996 | Nalla Poosalu | "Dandgaa Maraka Mundhe" | Vandemataram Srinivas |
| 1997 | Osi Naa Maradhala | "Aha Emi Thaluku" | M. M. Keeravani |
| 1998 | Suryavamsam | "Rojave Chinni"(Male) | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1998 | Suswagatham | "Happy Happy" | S. A. Rajkumar |
| 1999 | Alludugaaru Vachcharu | "Chali Chalani" | M. M. Keeravani |
| 2000 | Nuvve Kavali | "Anaganaga Aakasam" | Koti |
| 2000 | Sri Srimati Satyabhama | "Neeli Neeli Meghala" | S. V. Krishna Reddy |
| 2001 | Prema Sandadi | "Karanamagri Pakkintiloni" | Koti |
| 2002 | Baba | "Rajyama Sanyasama" | A. R. Rahman |
| 2002 | Neetho | "Dil Dil Dil" | Vidhya Sagar |
| 2002 | Neetho Cheppalani | "Ammaye Orakanta" | Koti |
| 2002 | Vooru Manadhira | "Naa Chelli Chandramma" | Koti |

## Filmography as actor

.Nakhakshathangal – As Neighbour – Directed by Hariharan
.Trivandrum Lodge – As Narayanan Nair – Directed by VK Prakash
Lekhayude maranam oru flashback (1983) - directed by KG George as himself in the song scene "Prabhaamayi, Prabhaamayi"

## Awards
### National Film Awards

* 1985 – Best Male Play Back Singer for the Malayalam film Sree Narayana Guru

### Kerala State Film Awards

* 1972 – Best Male Play Back Singer for the song "Suprabhatham" in the film Pani Theeratha Veedu
* 1978 – Best Male Play Back Singer for the song "Ragam Sreeragam" in the film Bandhanam
* 1999 – Best Male Play Back Singer for the song "Prayam Nammil" in the film Niram
* 2004 – Best Male Play Back Singer for the song "Neeyoru Puzhayaay" in the film Thilakkam
* 2015 – Best Male Play Back Singer for the songs "Njaan Oru Malayali", "Malarvaka Kombathu", "Sharadambaram" in the films Jilebi, Ennum Eppozhum, Ennu Ninte Moideen
* 2020 – J. C. Daniel Award for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema

### Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

* 1994 – Best Male Playback Singer – for the song "Kattazham Kattuvazhi" in the film Kizhakku Cheemayile
* 1997 – Kalaimamani award by Tamil Nadu Government for 30 Years in Tamil Film Music

### Asianet Film Awards

* 2001 – Best Male Playback – Raavanaprabhu
* 1999 – Best Male Playback – Niram

### Other awards

* 1958 – First place in Mridangam and Second place in Light music competitions at Kerala School Kalolsavam
* 2000 – Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award
* 2011 – Kamukara Award instituted by Kamukara Foundation
* 2014 – Harivarasanam Award
* 2014 – K. P. Udayabhanu Award by K. P. Udayabhanu Foundation
* 2015 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Male Playback Singer - Sharadambaram (Ennu Ninte Moideen)
* 2017 – Mazhavil Mango Music Award for Best Singer - Podimeesha (Pa Va)
* 2021 – Lifetime Achievement Award by Mazhavil Music Awards
* 2022 – K. Raghavan Master Foundation Award for his comprehensive contribution to the field of music.
* 2022 – Geetham Sangeetham National Award instituted by the Geetham Sangeetham Kalasamskarika Vedi, is given for overall contribution to music.
* 2022 – Sreekumaran Thampi Foundation Award