Augustine Joseph

Augustine Joseph Biography

Augustine Joseph was a Carnatic singer and stage actor from Kerala. The legendary playback singer K. J. Yesudas is his son and Vijay Yesudas is his grandson. Born in Kochi, he got chance in acting in two films Nalla Thanka and Vellakkaran. He also got opportunity to sing a few songs in both these movies in the early 1950s. Though an accomplished singer and artist of his times, his whole life was spent in extreme poverty and he died penniless. He died of heart attack on February 3, 1964 aged only 53 and was not fortunate to see his son climbing the steps of success. It was Augustine himself who introduced young Yesudas to the formal world of Carnatic music.

Kattassery Augustine Joseph was born on March 25, 1910 into a Christian family in Kochi, Ernakulam. He had three brothers. He got married to Alice Kutty. He started training in Carnatic music at a very young age and started his career as a stage artist as well. He has acted in numerous plays aside Pappukutty Bhagavathar (singer and actor) during his younger days. He made his film debut as an actor and playback singer with the movie, Nalla Thanka released in 1950. Considered as the first ‘Mega Hit' in Malayalam cinema, the movie introduced stalwarts like V. Dakshinamoorthy, Augustine Joseph and Vaikom Mani to tinsel world, apart from character artists like S. P. Pillai and Miss Omana.

Appeared on big screen for the first time (the time when playback singing was not popularised), Joseph rendered his voice for the songs - Mahesha Maayamo, Sodara Bandhamathonne, Manoharamee Raajyam, Maanam Thanna Maariville and Aanandamaanaake for the movies. He also acted and sang for 1953 film – Velakkaaran. When he died in a hospital on February 3, 1964 aged only 53, Yesudas had just began a career in film industry. In those days Augustine used to stay outside film theaters only to hear his son’s recorded songs, as he didn’t have enough money to buy a ticket! Struggled with financial problems, when he died in a hospital, authorities asked young Yesudas to clear the bill of 1000 rupees, which was indeed a huge money in those days. Later he was helped by noted writer and filmmaker, P. Bhaskaran.

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Updated: January 17, 2016