Malayalam music director KJ Joy dies aged 77

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Chennai, Jan 15, 2024: The renowned Malayalam music composer KJ Joy passed away at the age of 77 years on Monday morning. The music composer took his last breath at his residence in Chennai around 2:30 am.

 

KJ Joy was bedridden for some time after suffering a stroke. The music composer was also known as the first techno musician in the Malayalam film industry. He was labelled with this nickname for his use of instruments like the keyboard in the 1970s. He has composed the music for over 200 films. Some of his hit songs include En Swaram Poovidum, Ivan Ende Priyaputran, Chandanachola, Aradhana and Snehayamuna, among others. He also worked as an assistant in more than 500 films for various music directors.

Throughout his music career, KJ Joy created many songs that captivated Malayalam audiences and made them dance to his peppy tunes. The music composer was the accordion artist for the late musician MS Viswanathan before debuting as a music composer in the film industry. He used to play keyboards and other instruments for the singer. MS Viswanathan became the guiding light for KJ Joy in the Malayalam industry. The late music composer encouraged him to try his hands at the music direction.

KJ Joy’s first Malayalam film as a music director came with the movie Love Letter which was released in 1975. The soundtrack of the movie was composed by him and the lyrics were written by Sathyan Anthikad and Bharanikkavu Sivakumar. The movie was written and directed by Dr Balakrishnan. His music in the actor Jayan starring films also gained attention from the audience and the critics. His hit song En Swaram Poovidum, is one of his compositions that is still cherished by the people to this day.

As per reports, the funeral of KJ Joy will be held in Chennai on Wednesday. The FEFKA Directors Union and Malayalam playback singer-cum-composer M G Sreekumar condoled the death of the music composer. He wrote, “My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace," in his condolence message on Facebook.

KJ Joy, born in 1946 at Nellikunnu in the Thrissur district of Kerala, composed music for more than two hundred films during his decades-long career in the film industry.