Thu Jan 09 17:00:00 UTC 2025: **Legendary Malayalam Playback Singer P. Jayachandran Passes Away at 80**
Thrissur, January 10, 2025 – Renowned Malayalam playback singer P. Jayachandran passed away at the age of 80 on January 9th at Amala Hospital in Thrissur. He had been battling cancer for a considerable period and succumbed after collapsing at his home.
Jayachandran, a voice that resonated with Malayalis for over six decades, was known for his emotive renditions of love songs, devotional hymns, and melancholic melodies. His career spanned over 16,000 songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. He was a recipient of numerous accolades, including a National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and five Kerala State Film Awards. He also received the J.C. Daniel Award from the Kerala government, the Kalaimamani award from the Tamil Nadu government, and four Tamil Nadu State Awards.
Born on March 3, 1944, in Ernakulam as the third son of Ravi Varma Kochchaniyan Thampuran and Subhadhrakunhamma, Jayachandran’s musical journey began with his father, a music enthusiast and singer himself. He learned chenda and mridangam in his youth and honed his skills through performances at school and the local church. His early success included winning first place in mridangam and second place in light music at the first state school youth festival. After graduating in Zoology from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, he briefly worked for a private company in Madras before his singing career took off. His performance at a musical event caught the attention of Shobana Parameshwaran Nair and A. Vincent, leading to his film debut in 1965 with the song “Oru Mullapoo Maalayumaayi” in the film *Kunjalimarakkar*. While the film’s release was delayed, G. Devarajan subsequently gave him the opportunity to sing “Manjalayi Muṅṅi Thōrththi” in *Kalithozhan*, a song which became an instant hit and launched his career.
Among his most memorable songs are “Manjalayi Muṅṅi Thōrththi,” “Nilagiriyude Sakhikalē,” “Swarṇagopura Nārthakī Shilpam,” “Kārppūra Dīpattin Kānthiyil,” and many more. His contributions extend beyond film music; he also gained recognition for light music and albums.
He is survived by his wife Lalitha, daughter Lakshmi, and son Dinanathan, who is also a singer. His passing marks the end of an era in Malayalam film music.
First Piper 