KJ Joy, Malayalam Cinema’s First Techno-Musician, Dies at 77 in Chennai
Renowned as Malayalam cinema's inaugural techno-musician, KJ Joy passed away in Chennai early Monday. With a prolific career spanning nearly 200 films, including 12 in Hindi, the 77-year-old maestro pioneered the use of technology, introducing keyboards to South Indian cinema.
Malayalam film industry’s first techno-musician KJ Joy passed away in Chennai in the wee hours on Monday, said industry sources. He has worked in nearly 200 films, including 12 Hindi films. Vani Jairam Death: Malayalam Film and Music Fraternity Mourn The Loss Of Veteran Singer As She Passes Away At 77.
The tag of techno-musician came to Joy as he began the trend of using technology, including the use of a keyboard in South Indian cinema for the first time.
77-year-old Joy, hailing from Thrissur, began his music career as an accordion artiste under his guru M. S. Viswanathan, who launched him as a full time music director in the 1975 Malayalam film Love Letter, after which he never looked back. After suffering a stroke, Joy had been mostly keeping to his house in Chennai, where the last rites would be held.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 15, 2024 10:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).