Author: kumarkumar
Date: Aug 20, 2008 00:05
After reading the lively debate about Rafi and Ghantashala, I'm
tempted to bring another debate into focus---- that of Rafi and
Yesudas. Like Ghantashala, Yesudas also had training in Carnatic
music. His guru being none other than the great Chembai Vaidyanatha
Bhagvathar. But unlike Ghantashala, Yesudas has a filmi voice. He
combines the classical singing prowess with a filmi voice. The voice
of Ghantashala reminds me of Kannada singer P.B.Sreenivas.
Those who are not familiar with Yesudas's output in southern films,
could rate him by his Hindi songs. But I think his songs for southern
films, particularly Malayalam, are far superior. He has sung classical
and light romantic songs with equal verve. No wonder he is already a
legend in South India. In fact he does carnatic music concerts
regularly. Though purists haven't accepted him as a complete Carnatic
musician none could find fault with his voice.
His best songs came in the period from sixties to eighties when his
voice was best. His voice quality declined from the nineties though he
still manages to sing good songs. Could somebody post videos of his
classical film songs in South Indian languages?
Kumar
| 
