Music Section is the most prominent and always active section of Kalasadan. A great number of achievements were made in this field. Kalasadan was the pioneer in bringing out Audio cassettes in Kerala. It could release about 40 cassettes of devotional songs and many of them were well received by the people throughout Kerala. In collaboration with H.M.V. Chennai, a renowned music company in India, Kalasadan released gramophone records, named “Pulari” and “Thejus”.
Several Christian devotional albums, which became very popular, were released under the leadership of renowned music director Kumarakom Rajappan, lyricist Mullanezhi, Mr. P.K. Sunny, Sunnyraj, Fr. Augustine Akkara, Fr. Thobias Chalakkal, Jacob Chengalai and others.“Pooja Pushpam”, “Varavelp” are especially
memorable in these albums. H.M.V. gramophone records were prepared under the leadership of Music Director Sri Lesly Peter, Fr Johnson Chittilappilly and Fr Johnson Koola. Songs were sung by eminent and popular singers.Kalasadan Orchestra is one of the prime players in the field in Kerala. It has performed thousands of music programmes with very eminent and popular cine singers like Padmabhushan Jesudas, P, Jayachandran, Unni Menon, G. Venugopal, Vani Jayaram, S. Janaki, K.S. Chithra, P. Suseela, P. Leela, Music Director Raveendran, Sujatha, C.O. Anto, J.M. Raju, K.P. Udhayabhanu, K.P.A.C. Sulochana, Kamukara Purushothaman, Vijay Jesudas, Suneedhi Chauhan, Pradeep Somasundaram, Rimi Tomy, Nadirshah, Biju Narayanan, Vidhu Pradhap, Madhu Balakrishnan, Afsal, Jyolsana, Gayathri, etc. The music shows were staged throughout India and foreign countries like United States of America, the Gulf, Malaysia, England, Singapore, etc.
Pradeep Somasundaram, the winner of first Music Reality Show in India, Mery Awaz suno in 1996 has shared many stages with Kalasadan. All India Radio, Doordharshan and other television channels have presented several times the programmes of Kalasadan Orchestra Team.P.D. Thomas, the then music director of Kalasadan won the National Recognition for the Best Music Director among the programmes presented during 1996 in All India Radio.
Kalasadan has led the choirs for papal visit (1986), Mahajubilee inauguration (1990), Conclusion of the Mahajubilee (2000), CBCI Meeting in Trichur (2004), Mar Raphael Thattil Consecration (2010), and Mar Tony Neelankavil Consecration (2017).
“Gayak” 1997, 2004, 2012 and 2017
In order to identify and encourage budding singers, Kalasadan conducted film song competitions during 1997, 2004, 2012 and 2017. Winners were awarded prizes and opportunities were given to them to participate in Kalasadan Music Programmes.
Accolades in Asianet Reality Show
Kalasadan became number one in the First Television Reality Show conducted in 1998 by the Asianet Channel for identifying best orchestra troop in Kerala. It won Rs. 50,000/- as the prize money and citation after a tough competition of 39 leading orchestra troops. The success of Kalasadan Orchestra is that it could maintain excellence in all its performances till now.
Thenthullikal
In 2017, a series of Musicals was organized by Kalasadan to packed audiences. The old melodies in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, were staged in 5 programmes. The people of Thrissur wholeheartedly accepted the programme, the benefit of which will be used for charitable purposes also. 6 Music programmes are envisaged for Thenthullikal 2018. The specific themes for each programme will be as follows: 1. The masterpiece songs of 25 music directors. 2. Hindi Ganasandhya 3. Well-known melodies from Malayalam Plays 4. Ever green Tamil melodies. 5 Songs from renowned directors of Trichur 6. Exclusive award winning songs. These musicals are intended to benefit the distraught artistes who find themselves in economically hard situations.
Kalasadan Music Academy
From the inception in 1972, Kalasadan has been conducting classes for children in music instruments such as violin, guitar, organ and thabala. They are held in Kalasadan Complex in Kachery. Students get the opportunity to undergo International exam conducted by London Trinity College of Music. There are classes in vocal music also. Sri Lesly Peter was the principal for more than 25 years.
“Gayak” 1997, 2004, 2012 and 2017
In order to identify and encourage budding singers, Kalasadan conducted film song competitions during 1997, 2004, 2012 and 2017. Winners were awarded prizes and opportunities were given to them to participate in Kalasadan Music Programmes.