Singer P. Jayachandran Biography, Died at the Age of 80

Paliyath Jayachandran was a singer and actor from Kerala, India. He was well-known for his playback singing and won several national and state awards for his performances. Sadly, he passed away on 9 January 2025 at the age of 80.

Singer P Jayachandran Biography

Paliyath Jayachandran was born on March 3, 1944, in Ernakulam, Kerala. His family later moved to Paliam House in Irinjalakuda. As a child, he learned traditional percussion instruments like the chenda and later the mridangam.

Jayachandran’s love for music came from his father, who was a passionate singer and music enthusiast. He often sang at school and in a local Christian church.

In 1958, at the first State School Youth Festival, he won first prize in mridangam and second in light music, while Yesudas won first place in both light and classical music.

Jayachandran worked with many famous composers, including G. Devarajan, M.S. Baburaj, V. Dakshinamoorthy, Ilaiyaraaja, and A.R. Rahman. He sang more than 16,000 songs in different languages and also appeared in a few movies.

Family & Wife

Paliyath Jayachandran was the third of five children born to Ravivarma Kochaniyan Thampuran, a member of the Cochin royal family and a musician (though not a professional singer), and Paliyath Subhadrakunjamma.

He was also the second of their three sons. His siblings include Krishnakumar, born in 1947, and Jayanthi, born in 1949.

In May 1973, Jayachandran married Lalitha, who was from Thrissur. They have two children: a daughter named Lakshmi and a son named Deenanath, who has also sung in films.

Education & Early Life

Jayachandran went to school at Paliam School in Chendamangalam, St. Mary’s High School in Aluva, and National High School in Irinjalakuda. He later earned a degree in Zoology from Christ College, Irinjalakuda. After college, he worked briefly at a private company in Madras (now Chennai).

His life took a turn when filmmakers Shobana Parameswaran Nair and A. Vincent heard him sing at an event in Chennai and invited him to sing for Malayalam movies.

In 1965, he recorded his first song, “Oru Mullappumalayumayi,” for the movie Kunhalimarikkar. Although the film’s release was delayed, music director G. Devarajan, impressed by his talent, gave him another chance.

His song “Manjalayil Mungi Thorathi” from the movie Kalithozhan became a huge hit and established his career.

Cause of Death

On January 9, 2025, famous Malayalam singer Paliyath Jayachandran passed away at the age of 80 after fighting cancer. Reports say he took his last breath at Amala Hospital in Thrissur, Kerala.

Career Journey Of P. Jayachandran

In 1967, P. Jayachandran sang the evergreen song “Anuraggananam Pole”, composed by M.S. Baburaj, for the film Udyogastha, directed by P. Venu. He and P. Venu later created many hit songs, such as “Ninmaniyarayile” from CID Nazir (1971) and “Malayala Basathan” from Prethangalude Thazhvara (1973).

In Tamil cinema, Jayachandran worked closely with renowned composers such as Ilaiyaraaja and A.R. Rahman. He sang many popular Tamil songs, including “Raasathi Unna” and “Kaathirundhu Kaathirundhal” from Vaidehi Kathirundhal (1984) and “Mayanginen Solla Thayanginen” from Nani (1985).

Some of Jayachandran’s most memorable songs include “Manjalayil Mungi Thorathi,” “Neelagiriyude Sakhikale,” “Thiruvabharanam Chathurthi Vidarnu,” ​​”Ramasanile Chandrikayo,” “Karimukil Kaathile,” “Keval Marthya Bhasha,” “Priyum Nammil Moham Nalaki,” “Kallayikadavathey,” “Enthe Inam Vennila,” and “Araarum Kanathe.”

Apart from film songs, Jayachandran also left an indelible mark in non-film music. He released popular music albums such as Onnini Shruthi Thazhathi, Jayadev Kaviyude Geethikal, Smritthan Chirikilleri Njan Light Tunes and Onninumalathe Athino Thoniyorishtham.

Awards & Honors

Kerala State Film Awards:

• 1972 – Best Singer for the song “Neelagiriyude (‘Suprabhatham’)” (Paneetheertha Veedu), composed by M.S. Viswanathan.
• 1978 – Best Singer for the song “Raagam Sriraagam” (Bandhanam), composed by M.B. Srinivasan.
• 1998 – Special Jury Award for the song “Prayam Nammil” (Niram).
• 2015 – Best Singer for songs in Jilebi and Ennu Ninte Moideen.

National Film Awards:

• 1985 – Best Male Playback Singer for “Sivashankara Sarva Saranya Vibho” (Sree Narayana Guru), composed by G. Devarajan.

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

• 1994 – Best Singer for “Kathazham Kattuvaazhi” (Kizhakku Cheemayile), composed by A.R. Rahman.
  Other Honors:
• 1997 – Kalaimamani Award by the Tamil Nadu government for contributions to Tamil film music.
• 2001 – Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award, the first recipient, for contributions to music over 30 years.