J. M. Raju

J. M. Raju is an acclaimed musician and playback singer who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema and who was a very popular musician during the 1970s. He made his debut as a playback singer in the movie 'Naadan Pennu' that released in 1967. The music was composed by G. Devarajan and the song he had sung was with P. Jayachandran for the popular number ' Vayalar Ramavarma Valayar Ramavarma was an Indian poet and lyricist. >> Read More... '.

In this movie, other accomplished singers like P Susheela, S Janaki, and K.J. Yesudas had also given voice. His popular duet was with P. Susheela songs were from the film ‘Kala Kala Mozhi’ from the movie “Premageethangal” which released in the year 1981.

Another popular duet number was from ‘Aakaasha Perunthachan’ from ‘Ee Naadu‘ (1981) which had the composition by Shyam Yusufali Kecheri and J.M. Raju was accompanied by S Janaki. He has sung a popular songs with Ambili (Ilam Manjil), K.J Yesudas and S Janaki( Ambili Manavatti Azhakulla) and P Jayachandran (Ente Kadha Ninte Kadha).

He has composed music for two movies - 'Chevalier Michael' (1992) and 'Keralam Manoharam' (1999). The singer is married to another popular singer Latha Raju and they have two children, Aalap Raju and Anupama. His son Aalap Raju is also a popular Telegu and Malayalam playback singer and has sung for music composers like Harris Jayaraj, Thaman, G.V Prakash, Deepak Dev, D.Imman, and Sreekanth Dev.

He was also a broadcaster in AIR and his mother was a real inspiration for his singing, according to him. The singer told that he grew up as a singer with friends and neighbor getting together to sing Christmas songs and also for a Kochi-based Azad Arts Club, Thus he came into contact with thespian P.J. Antony, singer Mehboob, and C.O. Antony.

His dream was always to grow up and become a playback singer. He got introduced to Devarajan Master in 1960 and in 1976 he moved to Chennai for a playback singing career. He came across music composer like M.S. Viswanathan but could not get a chance to sing for his composition. He had to wait really for a long period of time to get another chance in playback singing after 1960. Currently, he is settled in Chennai with his wife and kids.

J.M. Raju has also published a book titled ‘Ente Naadha Mayukhangal’ that speaks about his association with legendary music directors of Tamil and Malayalam cinema who were associated with him at a different periods of time in his career.