Jayan and his twin brother K. G. Vijayan, with whom he formed the famous Jaya-Vijaya team, were born in a
Brahmin Kadampoothramadam family as the third and fourth sons of late Gopalan Thanthrikal and late Narayani Amma on 21 November 1934 at their home in
Kottayam. They started to learn Carnatic music at a very young age, and had their arangettam at
Kumaranalloor Devi Temple at the age of nine. Their first guru was Raman Bhagavathar, and then they learnt from Mavelikkara Radhakrishna Iyer. They underwent a Ganabhooshanam course at the famous
Swathi Thirunal College of Music at
Thiruvananthapuram after their schooling, and passed with distinction. Later, they had their advanced training from Carnatic giants like
Alathur Brothers,
Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and
M. Balamuralikrishna. It was during their lessons under Chembai that they started composing and singing songs. ==Personal life==