Renowned playback singer P. Jayachandran, celebrated for his vast contribution to Indian music across multiple languages, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the age of 80. He had been suffering from liver-related health issues and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Thrissur, Kerala, at the time of his passing.
With a career spanning over six decades, Jayachandran is remembered for his unmatched versatility, having sung over 16,000 songs in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi. He became an iconic figure in the Indian music industry, particularly known for his work in devotional songs, classical music, and light music.
Born in 1944 to musician Ravi Varma Kochaniyan Thampuran and Subhadra Kunhammad, Jayachandran’s journey in the world of cinema began in 1966. His landmark achievement came in 1985 when he won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his performance in Sri Narayana Guru. Over the years, he received multiple accolades, including five Kerala State Film Awards, four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and the prestigious Kalai Mamani award from the Tamil Nadu government. In 2020, he was honored with the JC Daniel Award for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Apart from his singing career, Jayachandran also made notable appearances as an actor. He debuted in the Malayalam film Nakakshathangal (1986) and later appeared in the 2012 film Trivandrum Lodge.
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Survived by his wife Lalitha, daughter Lakshmi, and son Dhinanathan, all of whom have made their mark in the music industry, Jayachandran’s legacy continues to inspire. Though he recorded fewer songs in Telugu, his contributions, including “Happy Happy Birthdays” (from Suswagatham), “Rojave Chinni Rojave” (from Surya Vamsam), and “Anaganaga Aakasha Undi” (from Nuvve Kavali), left an indelible mark.
His death has created a deep sense of loss in the South Indian film industry, with fans and fellow artists expressing their condolences across social media platforms.
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