Veteran singer KJ Yesudas is celebrating his 82nd birthday and wishes are pouring in for the legend from all the corners. Meanwhile, noted music composer SP Venkatesh who has created hundreds of hit songs in all South Indian languages calls Yesudas his ‘Godfather’. SPV told Manorama Online that he was not worthy enough to wish Yesudas on his birthday. The musician, however, added that he wishes Yesudas to continue singing for as long as the latter lives.
The apples
I am no one to convey birthday wishes to Yesudas because he is a legend. For me, he is a guru. It was in 1968 that I had met Dasettan for the first time. I had accompanied my father to his house. He was unmarried then. I used to play banjo during those days. My father introduced me and requested him to listen to me play the banjo. He listened keenly as I played. Then he went inside and brought two apples for me as a gift. He blessed me and told my father that I was like apples. Later, he spoke about this incident in an interview too. Dasettan sang for me for the first time in ‘Rajavinte Makan’ starring Mohanlal. He then sang countless songs that became super hits. ‘Thumbipenne Va Va’, ‘Kanakanilave’, ‘Chandana Kattee’, the songs in ‘Kabooliwala’ and ‘Shantamee Rathriyil’ are some of the evergreen songs that are still loved by everyone.
The blessing
The song ‘Pathira Kili’ from the movie ‘Kazhakkan Pathrose’ was a big hit. Similarly, the song ‘Nee Urangiyo Nilave’ from ‘Hitler’and ‘Thamarakannan Urangenam’ from ‘Vatsalyam’ too had become hits. Moreover, he had won an award for the song in ‘Paithrukam’. I haven’t, until now, seen a singer who could sing as beautifully as Dasettan. He too likes me very much. I feel really happy when I hear our fans sing the songs that he had sung for me. Even though some of the movies didn’t click, the songs became hits.
Dasettan is a blessing that God has given us. I wish him good health. Moreover, I wish and pray that he keeps singing for the rest of his life. I am not worthy enough to wish him on his birthday. For me, he is a Godfather. I am happy if Dasettan is fine. I wish that God Almighty shower his blessings upon him.
