Mumbayile Malayali Prathibhakal is a regular feature of Kerala in Mumbai, dedicated to celebrating the lives, achievements, and enduring contributions of Malayalees who have distinguished themselves in Mumbai through talent, dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
For decades, members of the Malayali community have played a significant role in shaping the social, cultural, educational, and economic landscape of Mumbai. Their contributions span diverse fields such as literature, arts, music, cinema, business, education, science, social service, sports, and public life. Their journeys of commitment and excellence continue to inspire generations and remain a source of pride for the community.
Through this feature, Kerala in Mumbai seeks to document and honour these remarkable personalities by sharing their stories of achievement, resilience, service, and leadership, thereby preserving an important chapter in the collective memory of Mumbai’s Malayali community.
In this edition of Mumbaiyile Malayali Prathibhakal, we are proud to present K. J. Sebastian, a versatile and multi-faceted singer who has been an active part of Mumbai’s Malayali music scene for several decades. He was featured as the Artiste of the Month in the October 2015 issue of Kerala in Mumbai. The article introduces him as the younger brother of the renowned Mumbai singer and music composer K. J. Kuruvilla, who was one of the prominent singers and composers associated with Mumbai from the 1970s to the 1990s.
From a young age, Sebastian developed a deep passion for music. He recalls being greatly influenced by the evergreen singer Padma Bhushan Dr. K. J. Yesudas, whom he followed with admiration. His musical journey began in Kerala, where he was actively involved in devotional singing for St. George Church, as well as singing for All India Radio programmes and stage performances. He later became a lead singer in his choir and continued developing his musical interests across different genres.
Sebastian eventually settled in Mumbai, where he became associated with various organisations and institutions, performing through Raagalaya, Universal Melodies and Sanjeev Orchestra. His repertoire extends across Malayalam and Tamil songs, including devotional songs, film songs and other popular music. He has performed for church programmes, Ayyappa Samajams and various Malayali cultural events, making him a familiar voice among Mumbai’s Malayali music lovers.
His musical career has also included a significant stint as a musician with the Indian Navy Music Band, where he served as a percussionist for 15 years. He later worked with the Sharjah Police Band for around seven years as a musician. After returning to Mumbai, he settled in Vikhroli and continued his association with music and the Malayali community. The article also notes that he is a life member of the Vikhroli Malayali Samajam and has actively supported its activities.
Music is very much a family tradition for Sebastian. His wife Preetham is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and a disciple of Smt. Jayashree Nair of Upasana Academy of Fine Arts, Chembur. She also conducts Bharatanatyam classes in Vikhroli and is associated with JSW Steel Limited. Their son Ruben has also developed interests in music and sports. He is pursuing a BLS, LLB and has trained in guitar, keyboard and bass, while also showing an interest in football and athletics.
Sebastian has also continued to nurture his creative side through songwriting and composition. The article mentions that he has written, composed and sung several songs, including songs performed in school and college programmes. His versatility has allowed him to move comfortably between devotional music, film songs and stage performances, while remaining closely connected to Mumbai’s Malayali cultural circles.
Over the years, Sebastian has received several prizes and awards for his singing. Yet, as he explains in the article, he considers the appreciation he receives from his audience to be his greatest reward. He has performed at numerous programmes, including Onam celebrations, Wedding Choir programmes, Church programmes, Samajam programmes and other cultural events, and has also appeared on television channels.
Reflecting on his musical journey, Sebastian expresses gratitude towards his audience and the many people who have supported him throughout his career. His story is one of passion, versatility and a lifelong connection with music, carried forward through performances, community programmes and his continued involvement with Mumbai’s Malayali cultural life.
We hope this edition of Mumbaiyile Malayali Prathibhakal continues to celebrate the talented individuals who have enriched Mumbai’s cultural landscape. K. J. Sebastian’s journey as a singer, musician and performer is a beautiful example of how music can become a lifelong passion and a bridge connecting people, communities and generations.
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