Singing maestro Yesudas turns 73

Jan 10, 2013 IANS

Mangalore (Karnataka), Jan 10 (IANS) Veteran playback singer K.J. Yesudas turned 73 Monday and with more than 40,000 film songs in 14 languages, his journey in the world of music continues.

The versatile singer visits the Kollur Mookambika temple near here every year. This time too, he marked his presence and took part in the musical tribute, considered a revered practice of all those who are into music and arts.

He left the temple in the afternoon after holding the customary musical session where he sang hymns.

Music runs in his family. His father Augustine Joseph was an accomplished singer and now Yesudas' son Vijay is also a sought after playback singer.

Yesudas reached a milestone Nov 14, 2012, when he celebrated his golden jubilee as a singer. It was on that day 50 years back when he did his first recording.

The seven-time National Award winning singer is always spotted in a flowing white kurta and a white dhoti.

Last year, his gesture of taking the lead in putting pressure on the Kerala government to see that they provide financial assistance to the hearing impaired, met with success. Today, the state government runs an implant programme for the kids, for free.

Over the years, Yesudas has been conferred the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan honours, besides winning 17 state film awards.

Even though settled in Chennai, Yesudas arrives in the state often and also owns a home in Florida.