It is said that nature and God are melded into the sweetness called music in the blood of life. This sweetness, which is not at all harmful and mixed with virtue, awakens goodness and love in the human mind. When we close our eyes and enjoy music, we see nature and God itself. From the cradle song to the song of death, music and song follow human birth. Music is as integral as the heartbeats.

Even as generations change, Yesudas remains a precious gift to Malayalam from this century. That gift belongs not only to Malayalees but to all music connoisseurs. In a sense, Yesudas is the personal pride of Malayalees in front of the world. There is hardly anyone who did not try to imitate that celestial tone at least once. When that effort fails, it becomes idolization. That's how Ganagandharvan Yesudas made millions of silent listeners his fans.

Kerala deserves the title of the land of Yesudas's songs as well, because the voice of Yesudas, who is turning 84 today, is present in all the sentiments of Malayalees. Those songs are with us in our devotion, joy, love, longing and sorrow.

Yesudas, who has been flying on his musical wings for more than six decades, is not just a singer for us. He is also the embodiment of many concepts that Kerala thinks, wants and hopes for. Yesudas stepped on his first stair of success by singing the Mahasukta of the great Sree Narayana Guru, "Jaathibhedam Mathadwesham Ethumillaathe Sarvvarum
Sodarathwena Vaazhunna Maathrikaa Sthaanamaanithu' (Without difference in caste or rancour of religion, this is a model place where all live in brotherhood). Like the blessing of those lines, Kerala was conquered by that supreme sweetness of sound. He conquered lakhs of hearts regardless of caste and religion. A great singer who sang more than half a million songs including in foreign languages. His songs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada became hits. He received various honours including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. Although he received God's gift of voice, he faced many hardships and neglect at the beginning of his musical career. At a time when music and arts were the monopoly of a few, Yesudas managed to survive it all with hard work and perseverance. Yesudas has always been a role model for all those who want to rise and succeed in any field.

He lives in America and has not come to Kerala since COVID, but Malayalees have not experienced his absence. That is because we are hearing his songs every day in our homes and all over the country. Through those songs, Yesudas seems to be within reach. Yesudas is a Mookambika devotee, Ayyappa devotee and Sri Krishna devotee. As said by Gurudev, this singer has captured the essence of all religions. He has also been blessed to sing devotional songs of all religions.

There are no temples where the voice of Yesudas has not entered. However, he has not been able to enter the Guruvayur temple even though he is a complete believer. This is a flaw in the traditions that need to be corrected.

Kerala Kaumudi and his fans wish this celestial singer, whose voice captured the beauty and fortune of God's own Country, Kerala, a happy 84th Birthday.