Apr 16, 2024, 07:47 AM IST Jayan and children Manoj K. Jayan, Biju K. Jayan | Photo: Mathrubhumi/Arun Krishnankutty/Arrangement
The death of veteran music composer KG Jayan on Tuesday left a void in the world of Carnatic music. India's classical music scene has been graced by many luminaries, but few have shone as brightly as Jayan.
He was born on November 21, 1934 in the family of Gopalan Tantri and Narayaniamma in Kottayam. His “Aranghetam'' (debut) at the tender age of nine heralded the arrival of his genius. Under the tutelage of Carnatic stalwarts such as the Alathur brothers and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Jayan, along with his twin brother Vijayan, perfected their craft.
In an earlier interview with Mathrubhumi, actor-producer Prem Prakash spoke about his close relationship with Jayan and his family, who happened to be neighbors.
“Their family has very close ties with us. Their father was the tantri of the Nagampadam temple at that time. His mother was a close friend of my mother. Their house is on the banks of the Meenathil river. , we used to bathe there often. His brother Parthipan was studying, along with his elder brother Jose Prakash, and his younger brother Rajagopal also used to sing. He was studying in the same class as me,” said Prem Prakash.
Jaya Vijaya era
Prem Prakash's elder brother, actor Jose Prakash, gave the name 'Jayavijaya' to his twin brothers Jayan and KG Vijayan during the production of the drama 'Priyapusran'. The duo then began their musical journey by composing hymns for their favorite deity, Ayyappa Swamy. His one of their famous devotional songs, 'Sreekovil Nataturannu', is performed at Sabarimala every morning.
The duo, known as Jaya Vijaya, became synonymous with sacred melodies. Their performance was more than just a performance. It was a prayer that reached beyond the confines of the temple and reached heaven. Although Vijayan passed away in his 1988 year, Jayan continued to be active in the industry.
His repertoire was vast, spanning religious works, film scores, and classical concerts. His ability to infuse emotion into every note he sings has made him popular among music directors, and his compositions for Tamil and Malayalam films have added a classical essence to the world of cinema. .
His contributions to music attracted attention. The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award and the Haribarasanam Award are proof of his mastery. His crowning glory came in 2019 when he was awarded the Padma Shri in recognition of leaving an indelible mark on India's cultural landscape.
But his legacy lives on through his songwriting, recordings, and most importantly, the countless musicians he inspired. His son Manoj K. Jayan continues to inherit the brilliance of his father's artistic talent, albeit on the silver screen.