K. J. Yesudas is a multilingual singer, singing Indian classical music, devotional, light music, and film songs. His commercially published recordings span multiple genres.
Carnatic Classical Music
Gurusmarana
Gurusmarana is one of Yesudas's Carnatic classical music albums, in which he sang with his guru, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bagavathar.
There are 2 cassettes currently released – Vol 1 & 2. Album produced by BGM Tharangini.
Songs: Viriboni varnam (Bhairavi) Vathapi Ganapathim Bhaje (Hamsadhvani) Pavana Guru (Hamsanandi) Ksheera Sagara (Devagandhari) Siva Siva Siva (Pantuvarali)
Thodi
Raaga Series – Raagam Thodi is a Carnatic classical music album, a garland kritis presented by Dr. K. J. Yesudas.
Album begins with the kriti Swami Unnai, followed by a Muthuswami Dikshitar composition Mahaganapathim. Yesudas decorates this kriti with Kalpanaswarams and gamakas. Other Kritis are `Sarasija’ and `Dakshayani’ and album ends with an Oothukadu Venkatasubba iyer composition 'Thaye Yesoda'. The album is produced by Tarangini Music, India.
Krithis Swami Unnei Mahaganapathim Yemijesina Sarasija Dakashayani Thaye Yasodha
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, a recording of live performance by Gana Gandharva Yesudas in the presence of Sri Sri Sri Vishveshatheertha Swamiji of Pejavara Sri Krishna Math, Udupi in early 2002. He is accompanied by Prov. V. Praveen on Mridangam, Mahadeva Sharma on violin and T. Radhakrishna on Ghatam.
Gajavadana Beduve, Raagam : Hamsadhwani, Taalam : Aadi, Lyric : Sri Purandradasa Krishna Nee Begane, Raagam : Yaman Kalyani, Taalam : Mishra Chapu, Lyric : Vyasatirtha Tirupathi Venkataramana, Raagam : Keeravani, Taalam : Aadi, Lyric: Sri Purandradasa Kotta Bhaagyave Saako, Raagam : Shanmukhapriya, Taalam : Aadi, Lyric: Vidya prasanna theertha Nalidaade yenna Naaaliqe, Raagam : Shuddha Saveri, Taalam : Aadi, Lyric: Sri sri Ranga Viitala Srinivasa Yennabittu, Raagam : Sriranjani, Taalam : Aadi, Lyric: Sri sri Ranga Viitala Guruvina Gulaama, Raagam : Hamsanandi, Taalam : Aadi, Lyric: Sri Purandradasa Jagadodhaarana, Raagam : Kāpi, Taalam : Aadi, Lyric: Sri Purandradasa
Festival Albums
Thiruvona Kaineettam Thiruvona Kaineettam is an album of Onam festival Malayalam songs. All songs were written by Gireesh Puthenchery and the music was composed by Vidyasagar. Sujatha and Vijay Yesudas also sang in this album with Yesudas. Album released by Tharangini in 2001.
Songs Aaranmula Palliyodam ( Yesudas & Vijay Yesudas ) Aaro Kamazhthivecha ( Yesudas & Sujatha ) Chandanavala ( Sujatha & Vijay Yesudas ) Illakkulangara ( Yesudas ) Paraniraye ( Yesudas) Poomullakkodi ( Yesudas & Sujatha ) Thevaaramuruvidum ( Yesudas ) Villinmel ( Yesudas )
Ponnona Tharangini Ponnona Tharangini is a musical album by Dr K J Yesudas. As the name suggests, the songs in the album were made on the basis of Onam, released by Tharangini. All songs were written by Sree Kumaran Thambi and the music was composed by Raveendran. Album released by Tharangini in 1992.
Songs Chingavayalkkili Mannin Manam Mudippokal Vadiyal Palnira Poo Ponchiri Pathira Maykathil Pookkalam Kanunna Thonikaranum avante pattum Uyarukayay
Christian Devotional Songs (to be completed)
Light Music Albums
Madhura Geethangal (1970) Source:
The album released in 1970 by HMV featured songs by Sreekumaran Thampi scored by V. Dakshinamoorthy
Songs Ee Lokagolathil Kalayude Sargamukhangal Kaliyakumbol karayum pennin Kanikandunaruvan Karalin kilimarathil Marathaka pattuduth Mathilekha Onakodiyuduthu Oru karimottinte kathayanu Oru moha lathikayil Thuyilunaroo
Madhura Geethangal vol.2 (1972) Hridayasangamam The album released by HMV featured songs written by Sreekumaran Thampi, O. N. V. Kurup and TKR Bhadran. The music was composed by M. S. Baburaj, G. Devarajan, B. A. Chidambaranath and V. Dakshinamoorthy
Songs Adyathe nottathil Anuragalola nee Kadanathin kaatilengo Maaleyamaniyum Mamboo viriyunna Pambanadiyude Pandu paadiya paatilorenam Prabatha reshmikale Raavin chundilunnarnu Swarnathin sugantham
Vishaadha Gaanangal vol.1 (1983) The album released by Tharangini contains songs penned by Balu Kiriyath and scored by Darsan Raman.
Songs Aa nalla naalinte Aarum kelkatha Ente praarthana Ettum pottum thiriyatha Iniyaare thirayunnu Karthika thaaramurangi Kadalin agaadhathayil Orikkal eeshwaran Parayathe ente Prathisthutha priya vadhu Swapnangal oru vazhiye Thiruvaathira poove
Vasantha Geethangal (1984) Source:
The album released in 1984 by Tharangini, has 10 songs written by Bichu Thirumala and scored by Raveendran Master
Songs Arayaname Aruviyalakal Kaalam oru pularkalam Kayal kaneerolangal Kili makalae Maamankam Maavu pootha Sangeetham Sravana pournami Valampiri shankil
Raaga Tharangini (1987) Source:
The album released in 1987 by Tharangini contains songs written by Yusufali Kechery and scored by Vidhyadaran Master.
Songs Amaavasi naalil Aruma sakhi Enniku ninnodu Guruvayoorappan Manmadha Jwarathinu Mohakuruvikku Nin Meni Omane nin kavil Pooja Maniyara Thozhi ninakkoru kavitha Vaanile nandhini
Vishaadha Gaanganal vol.2 (1993) Sourcer:
The album released in 1993 by Tharangini features songs written by Poovachal Khader and scored by J. M. Raju.
Songs Aathma sakhi Ekaakini Maanam chonnedi Njaanumen Oru Sandhya Parayanullath Vennilave
Hindu Devotional Releases
Hymns from the Rig-Veda The Album Hymns from the Rig-Veda is one of the greatest albums of K J Yesudas. The album composed by Maestro Sri Rangasami Parthasarathy and recorded using Indian musical instruments in the background score. The Rig-Veda is the most ancient of the four Vedas and is one of the oldest texts of any Indo-European language and one of the world's oldest religious texts.
Forty minutes album consists of 1028 Hymns in 10 Mandalas. 37 slokas from Mandalas V-51-11 to 15; VII-35-1 to 13; X-63-6 to 17; X-190-1 to 3; X-191-1 to 4.
Album contained the text in Sanskrit with transliteration in English. Album released in 1979 by Oriental Records.
Music for Meditation – Gayatri Mantra Album Music for Meditation – Gayatri Mantra was composed by Sri Rangasami Parthasarathy and sung by K J Yesudas. The Gayatri Mantra is sung in nine different ragas to symbolize the oneness of Divinity. Album released by Oriental Records. Vocal Artist: K. J. Yesudas Flute: Hariprasad Chaurasia Santoor: Shivkumar Sharma Sarod: Brij Narayan Sitar: Janardhan Mitta Veena & Music: R. Parthasarathy
Bhagavad-Gita – Song of God Bhagavad-Gita – Song of God is the Sanskrit album series by Yesudas with music composed and produced by R Parthasarathy in 1977 and released by Oriental Records. The Bhagavad-Gita is as the spiritual wisdom of India.
Bhagavad-Gita, Chapter 12, 15 contains selected slokas from the chapter 12 and 15. Chapter 12 is on the Bhakti Yoga. Krishna describes the glory of devotion to God. Chapter 15 is known as Purusottama yoga. Krishna reveals the virtues, glories and transcendental characteristics of God. He explains the purpose and value of knowing about God.
Bhagavad-Gita, Chapter II – CD contains selected 38 slokas from the 72 Slokas in the Chapter II. Starting from sloka 20 which states, " The Atma is never born nor does it die", the artists recorded all the major slokas and concludes with 71 & 72 which states, " One who abandons all desires attains the state of final emancipation".
Mayilppeeli Mayilppeeli is a Malayalam Hindu devotional album composed by K. G. Jayan in 1988. The lyrics of the songs were written by S. Ramesan Nair and sung by Dr. K. J. Yesudas. The album was produced by Yesudas' Tharangini Records. Upon release all the songs were become instant hits and still considered as evergreen classics.
Light Music
Ahimsa Songs are Ahimsa Atta Apu Beauty All Around Circle Of Return Gitanjali Hari Misere Karuna Nirahamhara Sari Sari.
Sitaron Mein Tu Hi Sitaron Mein Tu Hi is one of Yesudas's hit music albums in Hindi. Songs are written by Mehboob and the music direction by Maestro Lalit Sen. Album was released by Universal in 2000.
Songs Chamak cham cham Door Humse Na Tum Dosti Hai Humne To Kiye Ishq Mushq Na Chupte Itna Bhi Man Mohini Sajni Sajni Sanwari Saloni Us Pe Tu Jaan Hai Tujh Se Bichhad Ke
Film Music
Malayalam Popular songs sung by Yesudas and composed by Baburaj are : Thamasamente Varuvaan – Bhargavi Nilayam (1964), Vellichilankayaninjumkondoru Pennu – Kaattuthulasi (1965), Nadhikalil – Anaarkali (1966), Innale Mayangumbol – Anveshichu Kandethiyilla (1967), Pranasakhi Njan Verumoru & Orupushpam Mathramen – Pareeksha (1967), Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha & Kalichirimaaraatha Penne;- Udhyogastha (1967), Ikkareyanente Tamasam – Karthika (1968),
Hit songs with composer Dakshinamoorthy are Swapnangale Ningal – Kavyamela (1965), Kakkathamburatti – Inapravukal (1965), Hrudaya Sarassile – Paadunna Puzha (1968), Ponveyil – Nirthasala (1972).
Songs by Yesudas with Devarajan master's music that became hits are : Ashtamudikkayalile – Manavatty (1964), Manikya Veena – Kattupookkal (1965), Kattadichu – Thulabharam (1968), Thangabhasma – Koottukudumbam (1969), Aayiram Padasarangal – Nadi (1969), Sangamam Sangamam – Triveni (1970), Omalale Kandu – Sindhoora Cheppu (1971), Chandralekha Kinnari;- C.I.D. Nazir (1971), Manushyan Mathangale Srishtichu – Achanum Bappayum (1972), Sankalppa Vrundaavanathil;- Taxi Car (1972), Indravallarippoo Choodivarum – Gandharava Kshetram (1972), Padmatheerthame Unaroo – Gayathri (1973). He sang most of his Malayalam songs in the music of Devarajan master – around 600, which is a record.
Songs with Salil Chowdhury are Neela Ponmane – Nellu (1974), Kalakalam Kayalolangal – Ee Ganam Marakkumo (1978), Madaprave Vaa – Madhanotsavam (1978), Shyamameghame Neeyen – Samayamayilla Polum (1978).
From 1980s, his hit songs are with composers such as Raveendran, Shyam, M. G. Radhakrishnan, Jerry Amaldev and Johnson. Yesudas made a lot of hit songs with Raveendran master. Ezhuswarangalum – Chiriyo chiri (1982), Kanana Poikayil Kalabham – Ariyapedatha Rahasiyam (1981), Pramadhavanam – His Highness Abdullah (1990).
Devanganagal Kayyozhinja tharakam from the film Njan Gandharvan (1991) is a popular song by composed by Johnson.
Because of his immense talent and popularity he is often preferred by music directors/producers to render the songs which require the power factor and extreme variations in ragas mainly in the big budget movies. The song 'Aadiyushassandhya' from the movie 'Pazhassi Raja' is an example for his voice clarity even at the age of 69.
His latest hits are Kadaniyum Kalchilambe {pulimurugan-2016}, Kanditum Kandittum [villain,2017] and Poyi Maranja Kalam from the movie Viswasapoorvam Mansoor for which Yesudas won the National Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
Tamil
After Malayalam, he sang the most in Tamil. Yesudas's first song in Tamil film was in the film Bommai (1963) – Neeyum Bommai. Urimai Kural (1974) – VizhiyE kadhai ezhuthu composed by M. S. Viswanathan Dr. Siva (1975) – Malarae kurinji malarae )M. S. Viswanathan Naalai Namadhe (1975) – Ennai vittal yArumillai Vazhvu En Pakkam (1976) – Veenai pesum adhu meettum viralgalai kandu perum pugazhum (1976) – Thaane thanakkul sirikkindraal Idhaya malar (1976)- Chendu malli poo pol azhagiya pandhu Neela malargal 1979 – Idhu irava pagalaa Thrishoolam- Thirumaalin thirumarbil sreedevi mugamae Vayasu Ponnu (1978) – Kaanchi Pattuduththi[Ilaiyaraaja]
He made lot of hit songs. Other major music directors worked with him are Ilaiyaraja, A. R. Rahman, Rajkumar S.A., S. Balachander, Vaidyanathan L., Deva, Gangai Amaran, Aadithyan, K. V. Mahadevan, Shankar–Ganesh and Vidyasagar.