Renowned playback singer P. Jayachandran, fondly known as ‘Bhava Gayakan’ for his soulful and emotive voice, passed away on January 9, 2025, at the age of 80. The iconic singer collapsed at his residence in Punkunnam around 7 pm and was rushed to Thrissur Amala Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:54 pm.
Born on March 3, 1944, in Kochi, Jayachandran’s illustrious career spanned over five decades, during which he recorded more than 16,000 songs across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. He collaborated with musical legends like G. Devarajan, M. S. Baburaj, Ilaiyaraaja, and A. R. Rahman, creating countless timeless melodies.
Jayachandran’s remarkable contributions to Indian music earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1986, five Kerala State Film Awards, and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. In 2020, he was honored with the J. C. Daniel Award, Malayalam cinema’s highest recognition.
His passing has left a deep void in the music world. Paying tribute, veteran singer K. J. Yesudas expressed his grief, saying, “All that remains are memories.”
Jayachandran is survived by his wife Lalitha, daughter Lakshmi, and son Dinanath. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow, with public homage to be held in Thrissur.
The music world mourns the loss of a legend whose voice will forever echo in the hearts of millions.
