This is the eighth time Yesudas is winning the award. Malayalam's own music wizard K J Yesudas has once again been honoured with the national award. The country has once again paid its tribute to a talent that has no match. Yesudas won the best singer award for the song 'Poymaranja kalam' composed by Ramesh Narayan in P T Kunju Muhammed directed 'Viswasapoorvam Mansoor'. This is the eighth time Yesudas is winning the award. But, the award this time is special because it has come after a gap of 25 years. But, the significance doesn’t end there.
The award is also a proof that the singer, who, even after singing so many songs and winning so many awards, is still in love with music with so much respect, reverence and commitment.
Yesudas won the award for a song that he sung once, and then he returned to sing again.
Ramesh Narayan, who composed the lyrics of Premdas Guruvayoor, says, "You get the tune the moment you see the lines. It was the case with this song. We had planned to record the song in Dubai. But since Dasettan had some discomfort in his throat, it didn't happen. Then, the recording was shifted to Chennai. He liked the composition very much. As usual he happily sung the song and left. I too returned. After a week, he called me on the phone."
Yesudas had won national awards in 1972, 1973, 1976, 1982, 1987, 1991 and 1993.“'Narayana, I have improved some parts of the song. But only take whichever version is the best.' I was surprised hearing what he said. A week after singing the song, Dasettan returned to the studio and sang the song again, in a better way. The tune was stuck in his mind. He is such a dedicated singer. I don't think any music director would have ever had such a blessing from him. I felt very happy. This is an award for his commitment.”
It was an unexpected win, says Yesudas
The veteran singer, who won the coveted honour after 24 long years, said that this was an unexpected win and that he was extremely happy to receive the award.
Yesudas had won national awards in 1972, 1973, 1976, 1982, 1987, 1991 and 1993. He has also won state awards for best singer from several states. When Dasettan wins a national award, an entire people, we Malayalis, get honoured.
There was time when we used to listen songs only through radio or television or at music shows. Today, we are bombarded with cover versions, remixes and songs in several other forms and formats. Today, there are so many new singers. But we never get the same feel if someone else sings a song rendered by Yesudas. That is the magic of his singing. No one else can match him. No wonder we call him the celestial singer.
It is a fact that the new generation film world could not give him the kind of songs that could fully exploit his talent. But whenever he got such an opportunity, he has done exceptionally well. This song falls in such a category, a song that strikes a chord the moment you hear it. And, now the national award too.
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