He has won the National Award for the Best Male Playback Singer seven times, 5 Filmfare Awards and the State Award for the Best Playback Singer 43 times, from the state governments of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal. He has also sung in Malay, Russian, Arabic, Latin and English. He also has the pride of winning the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his contribution in the field of arts. He holds a record for singing 16 songs in four different South Indian languages on the same day at AVM Studio in Chennai.
A blessing to the music industry from the god’s own country has mesmerized people for over five decades and still reigns. Though we wish to hear more of his songs in the future, here’s a flashback of few of his best songs till date.
Pramadhavanam Veendum from His Highness Abdullah
Unnikale Oru Kathaparayam
Enthinu Veroru Sooryodhayam
Poove Sempoove Un Vasam
En Iniya Pon Nilave
Senthazham Poovil
Uravugal Thodarkadhai
Surmayee Ankhiyon Mein
Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara
Aaj Se Pehle Aaj Se Jyada