The Monument and the man . . .

The Monument . . .
Thirukkural is a precious gem among the classics, unique in the deliverance of code of conduct to the mankind to follow for all time
to come. It enshrines in it 1330 couplets under 133 chapters, each chapter comprising 10 verses. The chapters again fall under three major divisions. Virtue, Wealth and Love.
Thiruvalluvar statue was built in late 90’s as a tribute to the great saint Thiruvalluvar. The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 133 feet (40.5 m) tall stone
sculpture of the Tamil poet and saint Tiruvalluvar, author of Thirukkural. It was opened in January 1, 2000 (Millenium) and is located atop a small
island near the town of Kanyakumari, where two seas and an ocean meet;
the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean .

The statue stands 400 meters from the coastline of Kanyakumari on a
small island rock. Ferry service are available from the mainland. The ferry
service to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stops for a while at the
Thiruvalluvar Statue.

Measures adopted for the statue of Thiruvalluvar :
The statue with 95' and the pedestial supporting it with 38ft, the structure is thus a standing mammoth commanding a total height of 133 feet. An artistic peripheral wall around the statue, thereby forms a captivating mandap.

The measures what they stands for? :
The pedestal represents the 38 chapters on 'Virtue' and the 95' statue standing on the pedestal represents 'Wealth' and 'Pleasure' signifying that Wealth and Love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of Virtue solid.

The rocks for the sculpture came from :
Sirudhamoor, Pattumalaikuppam Hills and Ambhasamudram Hills. Ambasamudram contributed 5,000 tons of stones, while Shankarapuram was quarried for 2,000 tons of high quality granite stones for the outer portion of the statue. While the largest of the 3,681 stones weighed over 15 tons, the majority weighed three to eight tons. An interesting detail is the 19-foot-high face, with the ears, nose, eyes, mouth, forehead all made of individual stones carved by hand. Stumps of palmyra tree and poles of casuarina (ironwood) were used for scaffolding. It took 18,000 casuarina poles tied together with two truckloads of ropes to reach the top of the statue.

Statistical Details of the Statue
Height of the statue	95 feet
Height of the pedestial	38 feet
Statue along with the pedestial	133 feet
Height of the face	10 feet
Height of the body part	30 feet
Height of the thigh part	30 feet
Height of the leg part	20 feet
Fore arm	10 feet
Length of the manuscript	10 feet
Width of the shoulder	30 feet
Length of the hairdo	5 feet
Peripheral wall including  the statue & mandap	60 * 50 feet
Weight of the pedestal statue and the wall	7000 Tonnes
Sculptures and other worksmen	500
Cheif Scultptor :	Thiru V.Ganapathi  Sthapathi

The Man …..

V. Ganapati Sthapati is a Sthapati (temple architect and builder), and head of the College of Architecture and Sculpture in the Vastu Shastra tradition ascribed to the sage Mamuni Mayan
Sthapati was born in 1927 to sculptor Sri Vaidyanatha Sthapati and Smt. Velammal in Pillayarpatti, a village near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu , India.He was born into a Vishwakarma family (a Hindu hereditary caste of artisans and architects). His family tradition claims descent from the architects who created the Brihadeeswara Temple of Tanjore, TN, India.

Sthapati has earned a number of titles and awards, including Padma Bhushan.
The dedicated service rendered by Dr. Sthapati, has drawn the attention of the East as well as West to the existence of a unique and unexplored science of time and space, light and sound, on which the Indian Vaastu and Vaastu related architecture (of spiritual nature) are anchored. His efforts are fast gaining ground. Through his research works and allied activities, Sthapati has identified and brought back to lime light the legendary Mayan, the progenitor of Indian Vaastu Science.

After retirement from the Government Service, he has given form to a group of five institutions, aimed at spreading the principles of traditional Indian Science of Vaastu. Through these institutions, founded and guided by Sthapati, he has been rendering remarkable services contributing a number of temples, imagic forms, Vaastu based buildings, as well as conducting seminars and lectures, both at national and international levels, and also authoring and publishing books, on the sacred science of Vaastu.

Notable Projects of Ganapathi Sthapathi

• Design and Construction of 133' high colossal statue of Ayyan Thiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari.
• Design and Construction of Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, India.
• Art Gallery ,Poompuhar, Chennai, India.
• Renovation of Budha statue in Hussein sagar Lake, Hyderabad
• Sri Swaminatha Swamy Temple-Malai Mandir-New Delhi
• Sri Ganapathi Temple ,Bhilai Steel Plant, Bhilai ,Madhya Pradesh
• Renovation works of Panchalakuruchi Kattabomman Kottai
• Sri Maha Ganapati Temple ,Ramco Cements ,Karur
• Sri Karunya Vinayagar Temple,Ganesh Seva Samaj,New Delhi
• Sri Vadivalagiya Soundara Vinayagar Temple for TVS Sundaram Claytons
• Indianisation of Raya Bhavanam with architectural frontage and with remodification of interior spaces at Kumbakonam
• A huge sized Thorana Vayil with all elegant features for Madurai Kamaraja University
• A masterpiece of Tamil Thai mounted on a chariot exclusively made of stone at Tamukkam grounds , Madurai
• Sri Mathrubhuteswarar Temple ,Renovation works ,Sri Ramanasramam ,Thiruvannamalai
• Designed and guided the carving and erection of 30 feet high(seated) stone statue of the Buddha at Sarnath.
• Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple ,Anna Nagar West ,Chennai.
• creative Entrance Arch to the Tamil University Building ,Tanjavur.
• Front Elevation and architectural treatment for a huge building -Rajah Muthiah Hall in Chennai
• Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple ,Chrompet, Chennai
• Sri Ganesh Temple(in Granite) ,TVS Suzuki,Harita,Hosur
• Renovation and reconstruction of old temples in Padavedu ,North Arcot Dist for Sri Venugopala Kainkaryam Trust.
• Mutt building and temple architectural features , Sringeri Mutt, T.Nagar ,Chennai.
• Renovation and restoration of 9 ancient Temples 'Nava Thirupati' in Tirunelveli district.

Projects Outside India

• Sri Mahalakshmi Temple - Manor Park,U.K
• Sri Murugan Temple - High Gate,U.K
• Sri Dandayuthapani Temple - Tank Road,Singapore
• Sri Rudrakali Amman Temple - Depot Road,Singapore
• Sri MuruganTemple - Malacca ,Malaysia
• Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple - Washington D.C
• Sri Ayyanpan Temple - Washington D.C
• Sri Shiva Subramanya Swamy Temple - Nadi ,Fiji Islands
• Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple - St.Louis ,Missouri,USA
• Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple - Cleveland,Ohio,USA
• Designed Sri Maha Ganapati Temple - Edmonton ,Canada
• A Shiva Vishnu Temple Complex - Mauritius Islands
• A Shiva Vishnu Temple - South Florida ,Miami USA
• Designed Shiva Vishnu Temple - Louisville,Kentucky,USA
• Sri Ganesh Temple - Omaha,USA
• Sri Balaji Mandir - Bridge water, New jersey USA

Maharajapuram Santhanam - An icon of carnatic Music

Sangeetha samrat Maharajapuram Santhanam

Maharajapuram Santhanam, hailing from the fertile belt of the cauvery delta in Thanjavur Dist. which had produced a rich crop of musicians, was born in 1928 at Sirunagar village to Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, (one of the greatest exponents of carnatic music) and Visalakshi.

Santahanam had his initial training under Melattur Sama Dikshithar and under his father. While joining his father in concerts, he simultaneously completed his schooling from the Town High School , Kumbakonam in 1945.

Though Santhanam's initiation into carnatic music began in 1948, at a marriage, to be quickly followed by a formal debut at the South Indian Club in Calcutta, he emerged as a 'complete musician' only in the 1970s, music critics say.

Santhanam gave a recital at the Thyagaraja Aradhana festival at Thiruvaiyaru in 1952 and made his appearance at the Music Academy in Madras, the Mecca of Carnatic musicians in 1958-59.

During 1960-65, Santhanam served as the HOD of the Ponnambalam Ramanathan College of Music in Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

Endowed with a 'genuine classicism', Santhanam was on the expert committe of the Music Academy for a number of years.

He won several titles and honours, including the 'Padmashri' in 1990, the 'Sangeeta Kalanidhi' from the Music Academy in 1989, the Sangeeta Natak Academy award in 1984, TN Govt's 'KalaiMamani' award. and the "Sangeetha Sudhakara" by the Yoga vedanta University at Rishikesh. A former "Asthana Vidwan" of the thirumala tirupathi devasthanam and the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Santhanam was also bestowed with the "Gana Kalanidhi" by Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati of Sringeri, and "Sangitha Sagaramritha Varshi" by Sri Jayendra Saraswati of the Kanchi mutt.

Maharajapuram had created a trust in his father's name to help needy musicians and had recently donated 2.5 Lakh Rs/- to the "Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha" for the construction of a "Nadha Dhyana Mandapam" in Thiruvaiyaru.

Being a devotee and follower of Kanchi Maha periyavar (Chandrashekarendra saraswathi) swamigal, He wrote many kritis in praise of maha periyavar

Keerthanas

There were many krithis which was popularized by santhanam. Bho Shambo (Revathi – Dayanand saraswathi), madhura madhura (Bhageshree - Dayanand saraswathi), Unnai allal (Kalyani – Papanasam Sivan), Vilayada Idhu nerama (Shanmugapriya – T N Balu), Sreechakra Raja (Ragamalika – Traditional), Thaye yashodha (Thodi – venkatakavi), Chinnanjirukiliye (Ragamalika –Mahakavi Bharathiyar)

All the krithis will get an additional soothing effect in his majestic voice. Maharajapuram and M S Viswanathan  released an album called as Sangamam. It is one of the must hear kind record on lifetime.

Maharajapuram as composer

Santhanam has composed kirthanas in his favourite "Sivaranjani" raga, and has given a number of concerts abroad including West Asia, Canada, Malaysia, U.K and U.S.  

Sada Nin padame gathi - Shanmugapriya

Thirukedeeshwara - Kanada

Chandra sekhara – Hindolam

Thillana – Basanth Bahar

Thillana – Shivaranjani

Saranga Marugane – Ragamalika

Kadaikkan parvai – Hamsanandi

And many more

President R. Venkataraman about santhanam:

Endowed with an enchantingly sweet voice and dedicated to the practice of classical music in his individualistic style, Maharajapuram Santhanam has earned the admiration of a massive majority of music lovers. He was the second son of his illustrious father, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer. Fondly called "chinna kothandu" by his family, Santhanam sang with his father in concerts over a number of years from an early age.

Like his father, Santhanam took classical carnatic music to people in his melodious style and was marching with vigour and determination winning the hearts of overflowing audiences. Without deviating from the classical style of good quality, he made his recitals highly entertaining. He had a rich repertoire of songs. His mellow presentation, the pieces and rendition of ragas, neravals and swaras had a pleasant style of classicism satisfying common AND elite listeners. His many commercial cassettes are treasured in the homes of his admirers as a valuable possession. Maharajapuram had respect for fellow musicians. The Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer trust founded by him in the name of his father in 1985 has been honouring senior musicians every year with awards and financial assistance and arranging concerts of eminent and young artists.

S.V.Kalyanaraman writes:

The Umayalpuram school of Thyagaraja is blessed with a long line of eminent musicians. Maharajapuram Santhanam, a beneficiary of the Umayalpuram tradition, kept aloft the enduring values which carnatic music stands for. Those who have seen santhanam sitting with his father on the dais in his early years, had spoken of a bright future for him. The blessings of the elderly never go in vain.

Santhanam had a unique style of building up a raga. Vallinam, mellinam of the voice, Karvais and brikhas, meandering and spiriting sangathis were purveyed in such a mix that the hearers felt enthralled. However many times the audience had longed to hear his exposition of Mohanam, Brindavana Saranga, or Kalyana Vasantham! Or how he spiced his performance with a purandara dasa devotional that made the listeners join him in the experience of the Dasakootas.

It used to be said of Vidwans of yesteryears that their cutcheri pattern was marked by proportion - raga alapana, songs, and swaras. Santhanam was out-and-out a follower of this great tradition. In another aspect too he belonged to the galaxy of Viswanatha Iyer and his contemporaries. He had immense faith in the grandeur of familiar ragas, uplifting the quality of performancc- say Kalyani, Sankarabharana, or Khamboji.

Santhanam's encouragement and sincere appreciation of the accompanists was as generous as his music was great. He was one who could create the satisfaction of a 4 hour concert in 2 hours. Programming was such that while neraval and swaraprasthanams moved with grace, the alapana threw open the magic casement of the aesthetic charm, the song bridged both. Though Maharajapuram is no more with us, the Umayalpuram tradition continues in his sons Ramachandran and Srinivasan.

Maharajapuram passed away on 24 June, 1992, in a car accident near Tindivanam

Identify the Celebrity

Can anyone Identify the gentleman ?????

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.

Kattassery Joseph Yesudas (born 10 January 1940 (70 Years Old)) is an Indian classical musician and a playback singer. Yesudas sings Indian classical music, devotional and popular songs. He has recorded more than 40,000 songs in many languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tulu, Malay, Russian, Arabic, Latin and English through his long career. He has been singing for most Indian languages except Assamese, Konkani and Kashmiri. He also composed number of Malayalam Film songs in 70's and 80's. He is fondly called 'Gana Gandharvan'. He is one of the prime disciples of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar

Yesudas after winning The Kerala State Award for Best Playback singer on numerous occasions, he asked that he be ruled out of contention so that to give his peer's and newcomer's a chance of winning. But despite his request, he was still awarded this award multiple times during the following years. 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 'Aadiyusha sandhya' from the movie 'Pazhassi Raja' is an example for his voice clarity even at the age of 69.

He has bagged seven National Film Awards for the best singer in the Indian film industry which is a record no singer has equalled, let alone surpassed. In 2006, he sang 16 film songs in four South Indian languages on the same day at AVM Studio, Chennai.

K. J. Yesudas was born in Fort Kochi, Kingdom of Cochin, India into a Latin Rite Catholic family, to Augustine Joseph and Alicekutty. His father, who was a well-known Malayalam classical musician and stage actor, was his first guru. Later he joined the Music Academy in Thrippunithura and underwent training. For a brief period, he was with Sri Vechur Hari Hara Subramania Iyer after which he took advanced training from Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, a maestro of Classical Music. Although he is a Carnatic Music expert, he mastered Hindustani Music. He has taken the words of Sree Narayana Guru, "One Religion, One Caste for all humans" to heart.

Yesudas began his career in playback singing in the Malayalam movie Kaalpadukal[6] and Kollywood movies in the early '60s (He sang for 'Bommai' first (Music : S.Balachandar), but the first released movie was 'Konjum Kumari'(Music : Veda))and by '70s he entered Bollywood.The first Hindi song was for the movie 'Jai Jawan Jai Kissan' (1971), but the first released movie was 'Chhoti Si Baat'. He has bagged seven National Film Awards for the best singer in the Indian film industry which is a record no singer has equalled, let alone surpassed.

Yesudas is married to Prabha for more than 30 years. They have three sons, Vinod, Vijay and Vishal. The second son Vijay Yesudas is a budding musician who won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2007. The family is currently settled in Chennai and Trivandrum. He also owns estates in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA and Flower Mound, TX, USA for personal and business reasons.

Titles, honours and major awards

    * Padma Bhushan, 2002
    * Padma Shri, 1975
    * Doctorate by Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu in 1989.
    * D.Litt by Kerala University, Kerala in 2003[1].
    * D.Litt by Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala in 2009[2].
    * Asthana Gayakan (Official Singer) by Government of Kerala
    * Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992[3]
    * Asthana Vidwan (Official Teacher) by Udupi, Sringeri, and Raghavendra mutts.
    * Sangeetha Sagaram (Music Ocean) in 1989.
    * Sangeetha Chakravarthy (Music Emperor) in 1988 by Pallavi Narasimachary.
    * Sangeetha Raja (Music King) by Chembai in 1974.
    * Sangeetha Ratna (Music Jewel) by Lt. Governor of Pondicherry M.M. Lakhera.
    * Swathi Ratnam (Swathi Jewel).
    * Sapthagiri Sangeetha Vidwanmani in 2002.
    * Bhakti Sangita Geetha Sironmani in 2002.
    * Gaana Gandharva.
    * Geetanjali Award by The ex-president of India Neelam Sanjiva Reddy.
    * Sur Singar Samsad Award in 1976.
    * Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.
    * Star of India Award by Lt. Governor of Pondicherry M.M. Lakhera.
    * National Citizens Award in 1994.
    * Mar Gregorius Award Governor RL Bhatia in 2006.
    * Kerala Ratna by Jaihind TV in 2008.
    * The Annual Latha Mangeshkar Award by Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1992.
    * Dr. Pinnamaneni and Seethadevi Foundation Award in 2000.
    * Senate member in the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, an organization incorporated in the United States.
    * An Honorary award for "Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace" by UNESCO in 1999.
    * Susheela National Music Award in 2009.
    * Social Excellence Award in 2010.
    * National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer a record seven times by the Government of India.
    * State Film Awards a record Twenty four times for the best Playback singer by the Government of Kerala.
    * State Film awards Eight times for the best Playback singer by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
    * State Film awards Five Times for the best Playback singer by the Government of Karnataka.
    * State Film awards Six times for the best Playback singer by the Government of Andra Pradesh.
    * State Film awards One time for the best Playback singer by the Government of West Bengal.

[edit] National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer

Holds the record of 7 time winner of National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer, the most by any Male Playback Singer

    * 1994, Film Name: Sopanam, Language: Malayalam, Song: All Songs
    * 1992, Film Name: Bharatham, Language: Malayalam, Song: Rama Kadha Gaana Layam
    * 1988, Film Name: Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam, Language: Malayalam, Song: Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
    * 1983, Film Name: Meghasandesam, Language: Telugu, Song: Aakasa Desana Aashada Masaana
    * 1977, Film Name: Chitchor, Language: Hindi, Song: Gori Tera Gaon Bada
    * 1974, Film Name: Gaayathri, Language: Malayalam, Song: Padmatheerthame Unaru
    * 1973, Film Name: Achanum Bappayum, Language: Malayalam, Song: Manushyan Mathangale

[edit] Kerala State Film Awards

    * 01 - 2009 - Best Play Back Singer - Madhyavenal
    * 02 - 2001 - Best Play Back Singer - Ravanaprabhu
    * 03 - 1998 - Best Play Back Singer - Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu
    * 04 - 1997 - Best Play Back Singer - Aaram Thamburan
    * 05 - 1996 - Best Play Back Singer - Deshadanam, Thoovalkottaram
    * 06 - 1995 - Best Play Back Singer - No. 1 Snehatheeram, Mazhayethum Munpe, Punnaram
    * 07 - 1994 - Best Play Back Singer - Parinayam
    * 08 - 1993 - Best Play Back Singer - Akashadooth, Padheyam, Chenkol
    * 09 - 1986 - Best Play Back Singer - Nakhashathangal
    * 10 - 1985 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 11 - 1984 - Best Play Back Singer - Swantham Sharika
    * 12 - 1983 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 13 - 1982 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 14 - 1981 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 15 - 1980 - Best Play Back Singer - Mela, Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Angadi
    * 16 - 1979 - Best Play Back Singer - Ulkkadal
    * 17 - 1977 - Best Play Back Singer - Jagathguru Adisankaran
    * 18 - 1976 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 19 - 1975 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 20 - 1974 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 21 - 1973 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 22 - 1971 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 23 - 1970 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films
    * 24 - 1969 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films

[edit] Andhrapradesh State Film Awards

    * 2006- Best Play Back Singer - Ganga
    * 1990- Best Play Back Singer - Alludu gaaru
    * 1988- Best Play Back Singer - Jeevana jyoti
    * 1982- Best Play Back Singer - Meghasandesam
    * List is not completed

[edit] Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

    * 1992- Best Play Back Singer
    * 1989- Best Play Back Singer
    * 1988- Best Play Back Singer
    * 1982- Best Play Back Singer
    * 1981- Best Play Back Singer
    * 1977- Best Play Back Singer -Maduraiyai Meetta Sundarapandiyan
    * List is not completed

[edit] Filmfare Awards (South)

    * 2008: - Best Playback singer (Malayalam) - Amma mazhakaarin (Madambi)
    * 2006: - Best Playback singer (Malayalam) - Gange... (Vadakkumnathan)
    * 2003: - Lifetime Achievement Award (Telugu)[4]
    * List is not completed

[edit] Filmfare Awards (Bollywood)

    * 1980-Best Play Back Singer-"Dilke Tukde Tukde" from Dada
    * 1980-Nominated-"Sunayana In Nazaronko" from Sunayana
    * 1978-Nominated-"Aye Na Balam" from Swami
    * 1977-Nominated-"Gori Tera Gaon" from Chitchor

[edit] Asianet Film Aawrds

    * 2008 - Asianet Best Lifetime Achievement Award
    * 2000 - Asianet Film Awards for Best Male Playback

Swaralaya Yesudas award (or usually referred to as Yesudas Award) is a prestigious award for music artists in recognition to their outstanding performance. The award is instituted jointly by Swaralaya, an organization that promotes music and Kairali Channel, based at Trivandrum, India. Awards have been given annually since 2000. K.J. Jesudas presents the awards at a Gandharva Sandhya on every January.

Swaralaya-Kairali-Yesudas awardees
Year     Swaralaya-Kairali-Yesudas award
2009     Sujatha Mohan
2008     Kavita Krishnamurthy
2007     Shankar Mahadevan
2006     A.R. Rahman
2005     Sonu Nigam
2004     Hariharan
2003     K. S. Chithra
2002     Asha Bhosle
2001     S. P. Balasubramaniam
2000     P.Jayachandran
Special Jury awardees
Year     Special Jury award
2009     M. K. Arjunan
2008     M.S.Viswanathan
2007     V. Dakshinamoorthy
2006     K. Raghavan
2005     P. Susheela
2004     Santha P. Nair
2003     P. Leela
2002     Manna Dey
2001     S. Janaki

Admirers of K J Y

• Oscar winner A.R. Rahman has publicly quoted as saying that Yesudas is his favourite singer and the most beautiful voice in the world is that of Yesudas.[14]
• Multi National Award winner Kamal Hasan has said recently I'm probably one of the earliest fans of Dr KJ Yesudas. When he was staying in Chennai, around the time he had just sung his first Tamil song for the film 'Bommai' in 1963. I used to visit him and his group of friends. I sang songs and played the guitar with them. I would go back to my friends and tell them I am friends with Mr Yesudas - I was a small boy then, I still am a small boy in front of his talent. He is one of the greatest artist India has produce, his body might be 70 years old, but his voice and mind-set is somewhere in the 20's. He has been a hero for me for more than one reason.
• Veteran blind music composer Ravindra Jain bestowed Yesudas the title 'Voice of India'[15] and Yesudas' face was the first he wanted to see if he ever received his vision.[16]
• Late Music composer Raveendran master and close friend, whose 95% of male compositions tunes was sang by Yesudas once said Yesudas has the voice of God, I am a devotee of his voice.
• Legendary playback singer P. Susheela was quoted as saying Yesudas is an ocean of Music, he looks like a saint in his appearance and behaviour, but when he sings its like thunderstorm.
• Legendary playback singer S. Janaki on being asked to comment on Yesudas replied,how high is the sky, Yesudas is beyond that.
• Legendary playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam has credited that Yesudas is his second favourite singer, after the late/great Mohammed Rafi.
• Playback singing National Award record holder K.S. Chitra has publicly quoted saying that to sing along with Yesudas sir is still the biggest challenge of my life, even after working with him for such a long time. To sing on a stage where there is presence of Yesudas sir, either as a performer or among the audience, makes me nervous because I am always aware of the fact that I am singing in front of the living God of Music.
• Notable carnatic and playback singer P. Unnikrishnan has said that Yesudas is the first example of a person who can sing both light and classical music with equal ease. Further, most people in the music industry do other thing's in their spare time, Yesudas is always immersed in music - a true role model for us all.
• Actor Mammootty has said I am not a fan of Yesudas, I am a devotee. He lives and breathes music. I am not conceited enough to say that Yesudas has sung 95% of my song's in films, but rather, I have been lucky that 95% of the song's I sung in film's were sung by him.
• World renown Indian film director/script writer Adoor Gopalakrishnan said of Yesudas, beyond his music, which no-one can deny, through blessed musical abilities, through dedicated hard-work and practice, through simplistic/humble way of life and his feel for the common man, he is a man who stand's alone on a pedestal.
• Famous Malayalam poet O. N. V. Kurup commented, his god given pure, sweet voice is what make's Yesudas special. Further, his hard-work ethic along with practice and dedication and with the grounded knowledge that he is fated to sing on this earth the way only he can.
• Famous singer Hariharan once said that Yesudasji is a part of the life of people in Kerala. From early morning devotionals to late night lullaby, from FM radios to televisions, any street, any house, any hotel or restaurant, even in the buses you go, you will hear his voice being played. He connects Kerala from north to south.