KG Jayan and KG Vijayan of the legenday Jaya-Vijaya twins were born on 6th December 1934 in Kottayam district, Kerala to late Shri. Gopalan Thanthri and Narayani Amma.
Vijayan entered into the realm of music at the age of 6 accompanied by Jayan, his twin brother. Both of them started learning music under the tutelage of Shri Raman Bhagavathar and later on under Shri Mavelikkara Radhakrishna Iyer. Later, they joined the prestigious Swathithirunal Music Academy from where they acquired Gana Bhooshanam with first class.
They were also trained by Alathur Brothers (Tiruchi) followed by the great maestro, Dr Mangalappally Balamuralikrishna. It was during this time that they started performing devotional music by composing and singing for them.
KG Vijayan passed away on 9th January, 1989 at the peak of his career. He met with a fatal accident that caused a great musician and human being to return to God instantly. He was actually on his way to Tiruchi to perform a concert when the accident happened.
His Sanjayanam was on 14th January, 1989 the Makaravilakku Day, and his 'ashes' were deposited in sacred Pampa river the same day (Nimajjanam) - the auspicious Makaravilakku day
January 14, 2014 marks his 25th death anniversary. The Makaravilakku of the season also falls on January 14, 2014. So, the 25th death anniversary of the departed soul of the unparalleled Ayyappa devotee coincide with the Makaravilakku.
After the demise of KG Vijayan, his brother KG Jayan concentrated on Devotional Music (primarily Ayyappa Songs) over the past 25 years. He has been bestowed the honor or Kalarathnam . Please read more about Kalarathnam KG Jayan here .