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P.M Bhaktha Valsalan
P.M Bhaktha Valsalan (born June 6, 1949 - May 15, 2023) is an Indian Christian semi-classical music singer, songwriter, music evangelist, worship leader and servant of God from Thrissur,Kerala, India. He composed over 250 songs and is a pioneer of Christian organisations and music bands. His songs have raised the spirits of Malayali Christians. Most of the songs are born out of life experiences along the way. His first-ever song was Kaalvary krushil nee nokku, which wascomposed on 16th April 1971. Bhakatha Valsalan has been awarded more than 100 awards and titles. He received his first ever award in the year 1986 (Missionary V. Nagal Music Award) and his recent award was from The Church of God in India (KeralaState) for completing 50 years in the Music Ministry.

Primary education and Highschool days:
P.M Bhakatha Valsalan was born in Aluva, Kerala on the 6th June of 1949 to Mr C. Mathai and Mrs Aleyamma Mathai. Even though he was born in Aluva, he was brought up in a small,undeveloped village named Pazhanji near Kunnamkulam inThrissur district in the state of Kerala, India. He completed his primary education at Pengamuck high school in Pazhanji. Music started to entice his attention all through his childhood. Valsalan invariably took part in most of the singing competitions held in his school and won most of them. Regardless of his ability to sing, his parents could not afford, nor were there any medium through which he could listen to music as radios were not so prevalent in his village. Even though Valsalan did not have the appropriate resources, or the right people to assist him in pursuing singing, his passion towards music, especially the desire to learn to sing never waned. Despite being held by situations which did not work in his favour of helping him follow the path of music, as a kid, Valsalan did not give up on his dreams. He started taking efforts on his own.

After his school, he used to visit the public reading room in the evenings around 5 pm, which was 1 km away from his house. Public reading rooms were the only way in which people could listen to songs. Similarly, Valsalan spent hours listening to the melodic songs and also concentrated on the ragas, the rhythmic pattern, and the background of the songs played on the radio. He pursued his higher studies in a college situated in Kozhencherry, Kerala. There was a huge extension in the field of singing during his high school days. Like in his childhood days, he took an extra effort in participating in many co-curricularactivities, mainly connected to singing. His musical career began to grow gradually, and his family had an exemplary fellowship in church, and they also prayed for their son Valsalan.

Over some time, Valsalan resumed his studies at St. Peter's college in Kerala, and along with his academics, he witnessed a new era in his musical career. He began to be popular in his college through his singing. Eventually, he initiated a Kadhaprasangam team, a dance group and a Gana Mela team in his college. He travelled across different parts of Kerala, and they together took part in inter-college and other prestigious contests. He started to become popular in his college as well as his locality. Even though he was from a Christian family, he did not take up much interest in singing Christian devotional songs. He was reluctant to sing them. He also learnt to play the harmonium all by himself and also performed solo songs by playing it. However, his ambition was to perform in Kalarangam and other similar types of programs one day.

He completed his higher studies and was in a position of journeying to acquire his ambition. He continued to perform with his then-formed bands. He also was appreciated by many well-known people in society, and people liked what they did. Over a while, he formed new friends and also came in touch with many people who influenced him and encouraged him to conjure his ambition. Many situations worked in favour of him and enhanced his opportunities of achieving what he wanted. Valsalan was given the opportunity of meeting many well-known personalities who were active in the domain of cinema and secular music. These personalities encouraged him to join them. This made him fully passionate but something kept him back from entering their crew.

Valsalan's parents worked as missionaries. They worked devotedly and were active members who also worked for the welfare of many churches and communities. A few things that his parents used to do were being active participants in every Christian convention and conference. In 1967-68 Valsalan's father used to take him along to a few conventions. His father taught him a few Christian hymns. In one such convention, Valsalan got an opportunity to sing a song. Shortly after his performance, few members from Kottayam came up to the dais to meet Valsalan. They invited Valsalan to perform at one of their conventions. He had no other choice but to accept their invitation. He journeyed to Kottayam to perform as told. After his performance, great Christian stalwarts like Pr. K.C John, Pr. M.E Chacko met Valsalan and appreciated him for his talent. They convinced Valsalan to perform in some of their programs as well. Valsalan agreed to perform.

Valsalan started performing at many conventions, and Pr. K.C John and a few other pastors provided him with opportunities and showed him great hospitality by inviting him to their homes and treating him with great care. Valsalan was not a true believer at this point in time. Like many other singers, he used to only perform at conventions without knowing the value of Christianity. Their affection and hospitality towards him, helped him learn valuable things in life. Valsalan gradually stepped into the realm of Christian music by singing at various conventions and programs.

Turning point in Valsalan's life:
Until April 14 1971, Valsalan lived a normal life. As usual, he used to sing at various places and programs. On April 14th 1971, Valsalan returned home late at midnight at about 2 am. As he entered his house, the first thing he saw was his parents crying and praying for him, tears sloped down from their eyes as they saw him, but Valsalan did not pay much attention to them. Instead, he ate dinner and went to sleep. While about to sleep, he felt some unusual pain in his chest, which made him uncomfortable. He laid his hands on his chest and started to fright. He envisioned himself as if he was about to die, leaving his parents and sister. He cried aloud in fear and fell down from the bed in pain and terror. Hearing this, his father rushed towards him and sat beside him. His father laid his hands on his chest. Valsalan rose up and hugged his father. Tears rolled down from his father's eyes and fell on his chest. Each teardrop that fell, healed his pain slightly. Suddenly, Valsalan heard an unknown voice which said, "Son I need you". By hearing this voice, he knelt and cried, and his father prayed for him. At that very moment, Valsalan realised that Jesus was the one who spoke to him and he accepted Jesus as his saviour and became a believer in Jesus Christ. This significant moment in Valsalan's life happened on a Good Friday, also known as the crucifixion day.