He is one of the greatest and honored playback singers in India. Known as the Ganagandharvan, he tops the list with 26 State Awards and seven National Awards. Yesudas won the first Kerala State Award in 1969 for the film Kumara Sambhavam. Later, the pictures Angeekaaram, Ulkadal,
Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Nakhakshathangal, Parinayam, Thooval Kottaram, and Aaraam Thampuran won him further Awards. Enthinu Veroru Sooryodayam, Pookkal Panineer, Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara, Jab Deep Jale Aana, Vennila Chandana Kinnam, and Nee En Sarga Saundaryame are some of his acclaimed songs.
2. 'K.S. Chithra'
This great singer known as Vanambadi in Kerala ad Chinnakkuyil in Tamil Nadu has six National Awards and fifteen Kerala State Awards to her credit. The Malayalam films Nakhakshathangal and Vaishali won her National Awards. She got the first Kerala State Award in 1985 for the pictures Ente Kaanakkuyil, Nirakkoottu, and Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu. Manjalprasadavum, Kalarivilakku, Indupushpam, Mounasarovaram, Rajahamsame, Karmukil Varnante, and Mayangippoyi are some of the songs that brought her Kerala State Awards.
3. 'S. Janaki'
Fondly known as Janakiamma, S. Janaki is a well-acclaimed and established playback singer in South India. She has received four National Awards and 11 Kerala State Awards. Sthree, Pulliman, Aalinganam, Madanolsavam, Chandrakantham, and Tharaka are some of the films that brought her State Awards. In 1981, the songs of the Malayalam picture Oppol won her National recognition.
4. 'P. Jayachandran'
A famous and renowned playback singer in South India, P. Jayachandran has won a National Award and five Kerala State Awards. In 1972, he received the first State Award for the song Suprabhaatam in the movie Pani Theertha Veedu. Then, the films Bandhanam, Niram, and Thilakkam brought him awards in 1978, 1999, and 2004. In 2015, he made a comeback to Malayalam playback singing industry with the films
Ennum Eppozhum, Jilebi, and
Ennu Ninte Moideen for which he won another State Award.
5. 'M. G. Sreekumar'
He is a famous playback singer and music composer based in Kerala. He is twice the recipient of National Awards and three Kerala State Awards to his credit. In 1992, he first won the State Award for the films Champakkulam Thachan, and Yodha. The songs Kilukil Pambaram, Aathravaravayi, Kanneer Poovinte, and Mayamayooram Peeliveeshiyo brought him further Awards. He has recorded many famous songs for the pictures Thaalavattom, Chithram, His Highness Abdulla, Abhimanyu, Kaalapaani, and Chandralekha.
6. 'G. Venugopal'
He has got three Kerala State Film Awards. In 1988, the song Unarumee Gaanam from the movie Moonnam Pakkam won him a State Award. Later, the songs Thaaney Poovitta Moham, and Aadedee Aadaadedee brought him awards in 1990 and 2004 respectively. Raree Rareeram Raroo, Onnam Raagam Paadi, Pallitherundo, Karuka Vayal Kuruvi, and Thamaranoolinaal are his other acclaimed songs.
She is a prominent singer who has many Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu songs to her credit. She has won three State Awards in Kerala and three in Tamil Nadu. The songs Baasuri, Varamanjaladiya, and Pranayamanithooval brought her Kerala State Awards and En Veetu Thottathil, Netru Illatha Maatram, and Poo Pookkum Oosai won her Tamil Nadu State Awards. She appears in many stage shows and reality shows as a judge.
Though not a Malayalee, Shreya Ghoshal is an active presence in the Malayalam playback singing industry. With more than fifty Malayalam songs to her credit, she has also won three Kerala State Film Awards. The song Chandu Thottille from the 2009 movie Banaras won her the first State Award. Then, the songs from the pictures Veeraputhran, Rathinirvedam, and How Old Are You brought her two more awards in 2011, and 2014. Kaathirunnu, Kolussu Thenni Thenni, Earan Kattin, Shalabhamay, and Nilave are her other acclaimed Malayalam songs.
The son of the legendary singer Yesudas, Vijay has also proved his skills at playback singing. With two Kerala State Awards, he has sung for more than 130 pictures. The movie Nivedyam, Grandmaster, and Spirit won the State Awards in 2007 and 2012 respectively. He has many famous songs to his credit like Malare, Hemandamen, Kannondu Chollanu, Thirayum Theeravum, Rajagopuram Kadannu, and Ee Puzhaym Sandhyakalum.
Daughter of the famous playback singer Sujatha, Shweta is a budding singer who has many Malayalam and Tamil songs to her credit. She has won a Kerala State Award for the song Kolakkuzhal Vili Ketto of the film Nivedyam. Her other acclaimed songs are Ee Thanutha Manchurangal, Enna Solla, Nee Korinaal, Innariyathe, Aaro Nee Aaro, and Priyanu Mathram.
