KJ Yesudas to receive lifetime achievement award

Singer KJ Yesudas will receive a lifetime achievement award in November, in honour of completing 50 years of his recording career.

Hibi Eden had earlier suggested that the government must make official the title 'Ganagandharvan" to honour Yesudas on the 50th anniversary of his recording career in November. Yesudas will complete 50 years of recording 'Jaathi Bhedam Matha Dwesham" in November. That is the first ever song sung by KJ Yesudas for the film Kaalpadukal. Hibi said in the assembly, “It was Mahakavi G Sankara Kurup who first called him 'Ganagandharvan'."

However, Cultural Affairs Minister KC Joseph said that it is impossible to confer the title of Ganagandharvan on Yesudas as Article 18 of the Indian constitution that deals with Abolition of titles clearly says, “No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the state."

KC Joseph said that though the State Government functions under certain limitations, it will confer a lifetime achievement award on Yesudas.