Jerry Amaldev
Call Number : PER-22
Composer, Conductor and Award Winning Film Music Director
Joseph J. Palackal, CMI
©2021 Joseph J. Palackal
Jerry Amaldev
Jerome Thomas Veleeparambil, more popularly known by his stage name Jerry Amaldev (born 15 April 1939) is a three-time Kerala State Film Awards winning Indian composer of film scores who has given music to some of the most important motion pictures of Malayalam cinema. He is noted for his lyrical and expressive melodies together with simple but rich tonal compositions of Indian music.
BiographyJerry Amaldev was born into a Malabar Latin Catholic family belonging to the Archdiocese of Verapoly on 15 April 1939 in Kochi, Cochin State, to V. C. Joseph and Mary Joseph. He completed his high school education in 1955 at St. Albert's High School, Ernakulam. He Obtained the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy from the Papal Athenaeum, Pune. He is considered one of the evergreen music directors in Mollywood, even though he worked for a small span. His notable films as a music director are Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Aparahnam, Ennennum Kannettante, Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku, Nokketha Dhoorathu Kannum Nattu, and Guruji oru Vakku.. He received "Kerala State Film Awards" three times as a music director. However, he suddenly disappeared from the Malayalam industry in and around the time of the millennium, for unclear reasons, leaving his rich composition for Malayalam films.
This interview with one of the most erudite and intelligent music directors in India opens the door to the mind of a composer. The versatility of Jerry Amaldev lies in the huge number and variety of melodies that he composed for both secular songs for the movies and sacred songs for the Catholic liturgies, as well as commercial recordings of Christian devotional songs. He may be the only composer of Christin music in India who is informed by the art of the great tradition of the Gregorian chant of the Roman Catholic Church. He is also one of the very few composers who mastered the musical grammars of the Eastern (Indian) and Western art music traditions and ingeniously employ them in their melodies and orchestrations.
Amaldev is adept in creating new flavors like a master chef by combining condiments collected from disparate locations. The best example is the composition of the Hindi version of the famous Latin chant Exsultet. Amaldev appropriated the melody of this Latin chant and brilliantly transfused its sense into the Hindi version that Fr. Mathew Mulavana, his close friend and long-time collaborator, prepared. The result is another world classic of a melody that is thoroughly “Indian.” Here, the history of the Exsultet extends from the early fifth century Europe to modern twentieth century India. More than that, Amaldev’s Exsultet in Hindi is a masterpiece on its own merits. One might see in this melody, albeit at a microcosmic level, an example of the cross cultural pollination that was set in motion toward the formation of what came to be known as Hindustani music. This composition alone should give Jerry Amaldev at least a footnote in the larger history of music of the world.
Amaldev is one lucky Keralite (from the Malayalam-speaking region on the south-west coast of India), who had the opportunity to connect with such great German missionaries as Fr. George Proksch and Engelbert Zeitler, who loved and admired India and its culture deeply enough to inspire young composers, musicians and artists to interpret Christianity in Indian terms. Amaldev relays the musings of these missionaries in the following words:
See, the Hindu people do not have the pope, no cardinal, no archbishop, no bishop, no parish priest, no kapyar (sacristan), yet this religion has survived for ten thousand years without any problem. What is the secret? The secret is that the religion has gone into the hearts and minds of people through literature, music, dance, and poetry. Therefore, if you want to convey the message of Jesus to these Hindu brothers of ours, forget about preaching, forget about singing in English; translate Jesus’ thoughts into an idiom, into the literature, into music, and into the ethos, they understand best (interview on ).
Amaldev’s own thought-provoking comments on these missionaries make us wonder why, among all the nations in the world, the Germans have been more perfectly tuned to resonate with India’s cultural heritage and intrinsic spirituality (think of Goethe, Max Müller, Hermann Hesse, Hermann Gundert, and John Ernestus Hanxleden, a. k. a. Arnos Pathiri, to name a few).
Amaldev’s observations on the contributions of Catholic musicians from Goa (a Portuguese colony until 1962) to the Hindi film music industry in Mumbai come from his in-depth involvement in the industry during his years of working as music assistant to Naushad Ali (1919-2006), the legendary film music director and composer. We may not ignore the far-reaching effect of these observations in restarting an all-new conversation on the positive influence of the Portuguese missionaries to Indian film industry and Goan culture in general. Who would have thought of such a connection?
The music professor in Jerry Amaldev resurfaces in the segment on the use of Western harmonies in the orchestration of Indian film songs; this segment sounds like a chapter in a music composer’s manual that remains to be written. The treasures of musical knowledge that Amaldev accumulated over the years of his unusual trajectories in life in India and the USA are bequeathed here like a blessing from a father composer to his imaginary children composers. Of particular interest is his discussion on the history of the use of piano and the Western-style orchestration of Indian film songs and, especially, his explication of the incompatibility of the piano and tamburu tunings. The conversation leads to the most lucid explanation ever on the rationale of All India Radio’s earlier prohibition of the use of piano and harmonium in its recording studios.
Jerry Amaldev, indeed, is a national treasure. Secular agencies have honored Amaldev with several awards for his contributions as a composer of film songs. Ironically, although he has composed more melodies for the Roman Catholic and Syro Malabar Catholic liturgies, neither the Catholic hierarchy in Kerala nor the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India has acknowledged Amaldev’s contributions. The Christian Musicological Society of India is grateful to Jerry Amaldev for this substantive interview, which may serve as source material for future researchers on both sacred and secular music in India.
17 February 2017
Webpages related to Jerry Amaldev
- Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Amaldev
- Details about jerry amaldev - https://www.jerryamaldev.com/events.php
- Jerry amaldev about in - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1803939/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
- Jerry amaldev - https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Jerry_Amaldev
- LinkedIn - https://in.linkedin.com/in/jerry-amaldev-92781016?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
- Jerry Amaldev’s autobiography, ‘Enikkellaam Sangeethamaanu’, is about his life in music - https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/composer-jerry-amaldev-autobiography-enikkellaam-sangeethamaanu/article37657893.ece
- Biography - https://www.last.fm/music/Jerry+Amaldev/+wiki
- Jerry Amaldev Foundation - https://www.facebook.com/Jerryamaldevfoundation/
- Books By Jerry Amaldev - Enikkellam Sangeethamanu (Malayalam Edition)- available in amazon - https://www.amazon.in/Jerry-Amaldev/e/B0BBNF2B43?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_14&sr=1-14
- Latest News, Videos and Photos of Jerry Amaldev -
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/jerry-amaldev
https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2019/10/10/jerry-amaldev-on-new-malayalam-film-music-career.html
https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2019/10/10/jerry-amaldev-on-new-malayalam-film-music-career.html
Other album jerry amaldev - christian devotional
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Divya Karunyam
1.Lokathin - K. S. Chithra
2.Ethu Papavum - K. S. Chithra
3.Va Va Yesunatha - K. S. Chithra
4.Maname Nee(Chithra) - K. S. Chithra
5.Evide Etha - K. S. Chithra
6.Sneham - K. S. Chithra
7.Nanma Niranja - K. S. Chithra
7.Mukthi - K. S. Chithra
8.Vinnu Thurannu - K. S. Chithra
Yesunathan **
1.Va Va Yesunatha - K. S. Chithra
2.Aaradhanakku Njangal - Chorus, K. S. Chithra
3.Nee Urangomane - K. S. Chithra
4.Naam Veendum - Chorus, K. S. Chithra
5.Lokanathan - K. S. Chithra
6.Yesuvente Snehithan - K. S. Chithra
7.Krusum Chumannaho - K. S. Chithra
8.Ottum Madikkathe - K. S. Chithra
9.Akasadeepangal - K. S. Chithra
10.Pularkal - K. S. Chithra
11.En Deepame - Chorus, K. S. Chithra
12.Evide Etha - K. S. Chithra
13.Lokathin - K. S. Chithra
14.Ha Unarunnu - K. S. Chithra
Nityatha - jerry amaldev
1.Onnumillaykayil - K. S. Chithra
2.Yeshu Manavalan - K.G.Markose
3.Aaswasame Enikkere - K. S. Chithra
4.Alakadalil - Kester
5.Maname Chanjalamenthinai - K. S. Chithra
6.Ninakkai Karuthum - K.G.Markose
7.Lokamam Gambheera Varidhiyil - K. S. Chithra
8.Dukhathinte Paanapathram - Kester
9.Neeyallo Njangalkkulla - K. S. Chithra
10.Ithratholam Yahova - K. S. Chithra
Israyelin Naadhan
1.Israyelin Naadhanayi - K.G. Markose
2.Aarumkothikkum Ninte - Unni Menon
3.Jeevithathin - Biju Narayanan
4.Aakasham Maarum - Unni Menon
5.Kooduvittodiya - K.G. Markose
6. Anaadhan - Kester
7.Oru Nalum - Kester
8.Enganu Nee - Minmini
9.Altharayil - Madhu Balakrishnan
10.Ariyukanee - Kester
11.Evidepoyaalum - Kester
12.Akasham Manhu - Kester
13.Kroositha - Antony
14.Ariyathe - Mila
15.Sthuthikaan (Female Version) - Ann
16.Thirupadham Thedan - Satheesh Babu
17.Jerusalem Mukaritham - Aiswarya
18.Thellinhu Deepangal - Satheesh Babu
19.Nin Mugam - Joseph
20.Daivathin Rajyam - Teena Joy
21.Vaanavum - Kester
22.Appathin Naadam - Sayanora Philip
23.Ayiramayiram - Satheesh Babu
24.Manhin Thanuppulla - Madhu Balakrishnan
25.Papiyanengilum - Kester
26.Varikennil - Franco
27.Kulir Manhu Thulligal - Madhu Balakrishnan
28.Biblin Mahathungal - Kester
29.Eshomishihayye - Sruthi
30.Sthuthi Sthuthi - Madhu Balakrishnan
Kunju Manassin Nombarangal - Fr.Thadeus Aravindath
1.Aanadhikkum - Biju Narayanan
2.Asthamikkatha Sneham - Biju Narayanan
3.Daivaroopiye - Freddy Pallan, Minmini
4.Kunju Manassin Nombarangal - Minmini
5.Kurisinte Nizhal - Freddy Pallan, Neydheen
6.Sahanam - Minmini, Sabu
7.Samadhanam Ningal - K. D. Babu, Neydheen
8.Shaanthi Dhayakan - Freddy Pallan, Neydheen
9.Sneharahithamam - Biju Narayanan
10.Viswasamundenkil - Minmini
Vishudha Geevargeese Sahadhayude Novena
1.Pavanaroohaye - Kester
2.Luthiniya - Kester
3.Geevargeese Nalsahada - Kester
4.Ninte Padhatharil - Kester
5.Easothan - Kester
6.Dheeranaam Rakthasakshi - Kester
Abhayam
1.Christmas Pulariyil - Maneesha
2. Daiva Snehamortheedukil - M.G. Sreekumar
3.Ellam Anyamay - K.J. Yesudas
4.Ennormayil - K. S. Chithra
5.Jeevajalathil - P. Unnikrishnan
6.Kshamaseelan - Kester
7.Njan Jeevante - Abhayam by Unni Menon, Sujatha Mohan
8.Santhosham - K. S. Chithra
9.Snehhapravahame - Abhayam by Biju Narayanan
10.Vannalumente - P. Jayachandran
Divya Varam
1.Nanmasambhuranam - Sistal Milda
2.Aahladhachindhakal Paadi - Ramesh Murali
3.Vanavum Bhoomiyum - Gagul Joseph
4.Anathasnehamayi - Biju Narayanan
5.Aahladhachindhakal Paadi - Divya Varam by Ramesh Murali
6.Parishudhan - Mariyadas
7.Ee Deepanalangalkoppam - Wilson Piravom
8.Lokathin Pappangal - Wilson Piravom
9.Yesunadha Daivaanmaja - Divya Varam by Wilson Piravom
10.Divyakarunyamayi - Kester
11.Thirinalamanayukayayi - Gagul Joseph
12.Amme Ninte - Kester
Karunyavan Mp3
1.Divyakaarunyamae - Chorus, Kester
2.Aaradhikunnu - Chorus, Delima
3.Vegam Varename - Kester
4.Manassil Poomazha - Chorus
5.Ente Daivam - P. Jayachandran
6.Amala Manohari - Manjari
7.Amme Parishudha - Elizabath Raju
8.Janamae Daivajanamae - Chorus, K.G. Markose
9.Aathmave - Ramesh Murali, Suji
10.Enne Nayikkum - Biju Narayanan
11.Kahalamoothuka - Jency, Kester
12.Mamakashakal - Radhika Thilak, Chorus Peter
13.Thalikayil - Sangeetha
14.Paaduvin - Ramesh Murali, Delima
15.Antharangamae - Minmini
16.Neengunnu - Chorus, K.G. Markose
17.Koorirul - Chorus
18.Papavimochakan - Chorus, Kester
19.Nithya Sowbhagyme - Biju Narayanan
20.Yeshuve - Radhika Thilak
21.Ennil Vannu - Usha Uthup
22.Daivame Ninne - Biju Narayanan
23.Paaramparishudha - Delima
24.Samadhanam - Chorus, K.G. Markose
25.Divyasakrariyil - Chorus, Elizabath Raju
26.Marubhoomiyil - Kuttiyachan
27.Jeevante - Chorus, K.G. Markose
28.Akatharilennum - Chorus, Kester
29.Nirvruthipakarum - Chorus, Kester
30.Unaram - Chorus, Biju Narayanan
31.Jeevante Appam - Kester, Delima
32.Sarveshaputhra - Kester
33.Hridayamallaathe - Radhika Thilak
34.Omanakunjine - Kester
35.Divyakarunyam - Chorus, Kester
36.Malayalakkara - K.G. Markose
37.Naadhakazhchayayi - Kester
38.Sandwanamekum - Manju Thomas
39.Prabhachoriyum - Madhu Balakrishnan
40.Aazhithan - Kester
41.Ekanthathayil - Delima
42.Vaanavarodennayi - Madhu Balakrishnan
43.Yeshuve Sneha Nathanae - K.G. Markose
Yesuvin Hridayame - Fr.Thadeus Aravindath
1.Ente Daivam - Jency Anthony
2.Ente Eesoye - Seeniya
3.Gagulthamala - K. D. Babu, Mable Cibi
4.Hrudhaya Shudhi - P. Jayachandran
5.Karunayezhum - Daleema
6.Krusile - Biju Narayanan
7.Suprabhathamay - Biju Narayanan
8.Uyarthezhunnettidum - K. D. Babu
9.Vaanilum - Mano
10.Yesuvin Hridayame - Kester, Biju Narayanan
Vanjiyil Eshuvunde
1.Vanjiyil Yeshuvunde - Kester
2.Agni Uyarnnu Jarusalemil - K.G. Markose
3.Dhaivam Thannu Dhaivam Eduthu - Kester
4.Konji Konji Kolusittu - Elizabeth Raju
5.Hridayam Thiruhridayam - Elizabeth Raju
6.Kripayude Amme Kalvariyil - Kester
7.Emmanuvelam Nalrakshakan - Elizabeth Raju
8.Vazhtham Vazhtham Aathmane
9.Nirmala Amme Karmmalarani - Elizabeth Raju
10.Kaikal Kotti Padeedam - K.G. Markose
Easo Enne Sparsichu -Fr. Thadeus Aravindath
1.Easo Enne Sparsichu - Minmini
2.En Jeevithathil - K.G. Markose
3.Karthavam Yesuvin - K.G. Markose
4.Karthave Nin Snehithan - K.G. Markose
5.Kshamikkunna Sneham - Sathish Babu
6.Nadhanu Nandhi - Radhika Thilak
7.Pokam Bethlahemil - Kester
8.Samarppanathin Samayamay - Biju Narayanan, Minmini
9.Sathrusneham - K.G. Markose
10.Yesuve En Daivame - Biju Narayanan, Minmini
Gloria -Jerry amaldev
1.Annorunaal - K. S. Chithra
2.Vaa Vaa Vo - K. S. Chithra
3.Sammodamay - K. S. Chithra
4.Daivam Nammil - K. S. Chithra
5.Kelkkoo Sthothrasamgeetham - K. S. Chithra
6.Thudikottaam - K. S. Chithra
7.Suralokagaanam - K. S. Chithra
8.Tharam Neelavaanil - K. S. Chithra
Christmas Kondattam - Tamil
1.Antroru Naal - K. S. Chithra
2.Aararo - K. S. Chithra
3.Santhoshamaai - K. S. Chithra
4.Vareer - K. S. Chithra
5.Vaanam Thandha - K. S. Chithra
6.Athi Kaalai - K. S. Chithra
7.Vaan Thoothu - K. S. Chithra
8.Kaalam Kaigal - K. S. Chithra
Kripasparsham - Fr. George Puthumana (Jerry Amaldev)
1.Njan Oru Kaliman - Kester
2.Yeshuve (Rajalakshmi) - Chorus, Rajalakshmy
3.Unarnidam - Chorus, Biju Narayanan
4.Satyaprakashame - Rajalakshmy
5.Kanyambike - Radhika Thilak
6.Navajaname - Chorus, Madhu Balakrishnan
7.Swargeeyakarunya - Chorus, Savitha
8.Nitya Pithave - Chorus, Madhu Balakrishnan, Manju Menon
Itayanaanu Njan - Fr Thadeusaravindath
1.Ajaganam - Freddy Pallan, Minmini
2.Arppanageetham - Fr. Rafi Karakkat, Nimmi
3.Athbuthakripa - Minmini, Denson
4.Edayan Snehithan - K. D. Babu, Neydheen
5.Ennathmanadha - Minmini
6.Ente Karthave - Fr. Rafi Karakkat
7.Itayanaanu Njan - Fr. Rafi Karakkat
8.Nallidayan - Joseph J. Palackal
9.Poojya Rajakkal - Minmini, Chilprakash
10.Pulthozhuthil - Minmini, Chilprakash, Sabu
Ente Athmave - Fr Thadeusaravindath
1.Aaradhanayude Samayam - Biju Narayanan
2.Aathmasareerangal - Minmini
3.Adharaveenayil - Rex Isaacs
4.Ente Athmave - K.G. Markose
5.Ezhunnelkkuvin - K.G. Markose
6.Karthavilonnay - Sebastian Yatra
7.Mizhikalirumizhikal - Rex Isaacs
8.Nadha Snehamam - Sujatha Mohan
9.Thiruhrudayathil F - Daleema
10.Thiruhrudayathil M - Jolly Abraham
Njanoru Munthiri Valli -Fr Thadeusaravindath
1.Anubhavangalil - Kester
2.En Daivam Enne - Ouseppachan
3.Jai Jai Yesunadhan - Biju Narayanan
4.Karunasurabhila - Daleema
5.Njanoru Munthiri Valli - Kester
6.Paaduvin - Kester, Maneesha
7.Prakasamengum - Sebastian Yatra
8.Swargathil Pokanay - Maneesha
9.Vachanam - Sebastian Yatra
10.Vazhtham - Daleema
Daivathin Aalayam - by Jerry Amaldev
1.Raavilum Pakalilum - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
2.Naadha Samarppikkunnu - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
3.Varuvin - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
4.Daivathin Aalayam - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
5.Divyamaam - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
6.Nanni Cholli - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
7.Adhwanippavare - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
8.Rakshakaneshuvinamme - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
9.Melilen Dasanmaar - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
10.Unaruka - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
11.Yeshuve Yeshuve - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
12.Karthavu Bhavanam - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
13.Njaan Jeevikkunnu - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
14.Yesuven Gehathil - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
15.Ninte Aruviyil - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
16.Snehithan - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
17.Ethrayum Dayayulla - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
18.Parisudhathmavaam - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
19.Kanivolum - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
20.Vannaalum Nadha - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
21.Engine Nanni - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
22.Thava Thirusannidhi - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
23.Prapanchathin - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
24.Nanma Niranja - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
25.Kaarunya Roopanam - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
26.Suvishesham - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
27.Shila Polulloru - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
28.Varunnu - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
29.Akhilacharachara - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
30.Njanoru Paapi - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
31.Kanivin Naadha - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
32.Yeshuvin Ammayai - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
33.Adhyantha Heenam - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
34.Pavanathman - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
35.Onnayiha - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
36.Karathala - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
37.Uyarathil Ninnum - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
38.Daivame - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
39.Swasthi - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
40.Daiva Sneham - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
41.Yuga Yugantharangal - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
42.Vimalamohana - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
43.Paapikale - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
44.Thavakasanketham - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
45.Nandhi Nandhi - Fready Pallan, Mercy Mathew
Malaghamarothu Vaanil
1.Malaghamarothu Vaanil (Male Version) - Kester
2.Serafukal Chuttum Ninn - K.G. Markose
3.Althara Kalvari - Minmini
4.Kazhinjennu Thonnumbol - Wilson Piravom
5.Ezhayamenn Jeevitham - Biju Narayanan
6.Yesunadhante Vagdhaname - K.G. Markose
7.Karunyasagaramaya Daivam (Female Version) - Minmini
8.Kashtangalkku Naduvil - Sasi Prasad
9.Visudhithan Mathrika - M.G. Sreekumar
10.Snehathinettam - Minmini
11.Altharamunnil - Wilson Piravom
12.Malaghamarothu Vaanil (Female Version) - Elizabeth Raju
13.Uyarum Kooppukarangal - Joji Kottackupuram
14.Karunya Sagaramaya Daivam (Male Version) - Wilson Piravom
