Father John Pichappilly (Johni, born March 5,1951), the second son among the six children of Mary and Mathew Pichappilly hails from Thokkupara, Idukki Dist., Kerala, India.

Johni’s academic studies led him to a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Malayalam Literature from the University of Kerala. His priestly formation studies at St. Thomas Pontifical Oriental Institute, Kottayam led him to priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church on March 6, 1978.

After 12 years’ parish pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Kothamangalm in Kerala, in 1990 he joined the Archdiocese of Halifax in Canada where he retired from the active parish pastoral ministry in 2022, but residing in Halifax, Canada providing pastoral services.

Together with his parish pastoral duties, Father Johni is a noted organizer, singer, actor, author, teacher, composer, counselor and community builder. He has been instrumental to several socio-cultural development programs and spiritual renewal initiatives in the communities in Kerala and Canada.

He led the seminary choir at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Kottayam, Kerala during his studies there from 1971 to 1978, where he had opportunities to work with renowned music directors Kumarakom Rajappan, K.P.A.C Johnson, Kottayam Joy and Baby John Bhagavathar.

He led ‘Sariga Sangeethalaya, Thodupuzha,’ a Music Band, Music School, Mimics Parade (Comedy Show) and Church Choir at Thodupuzha, Kerala during the period of 1980-1990. Sariga Music Band consisting of professional singers and musicians with full orchestra performed on hundreds of stages in India and abroad. ‘Sariga Music School’ was the first of this kind at Thodupuzha, and one of the best music schools in Kerala since the 1980s. It gave formation to hundreds of young musicians in both vocal and instrumental music. ‘Sariga Church Choir’ has been an integral part of church feasts, festivals and celebrations in Kerala and abroad. Sariga presented several prominent professional singers and musicians for the music world - Minmini, K.G. Peter, Premsagar, Kudamaloor Janardhanan and Thomas Williams - to name a few. Fr. Johni’s close acquaintance led playback singer P. Jayachandran to be a guest singer with Sariga orchestra at one of their stage shows at Thodupuzha. Sariga’s mimics parade brought forward talented cine and TV artistes like Azad Abby, Shiyaz and Antony.

Father Pichappilly broadcasted ‘Chinthamalarukal,’ a weekly program inter-twined with songs, skits and inspirational talks through Vatican Radio, during the period of 1986 - 87 to promote spirituality and positive thinking. D. Mooken (stage actor) and many other professional as well as amateur local artists worked with Fr. Johni on this project.

He taught Malayalam Literature at Lumen Institute, Kunchithanni (1979-1982), and Aquinas Institute, Muthalakodam (1982- 1989) Kerala, India.

Father Pichappilly sang and broadcasted several light songs on the All India Radio where his music directors were music maestros M.G.Radhakrishnan and Perumbavoor G. Ravindranath; and he did several light songs and devotional song broadcasts on Indian Television channels as well.

Father Johni rendered his voice for “Vanamudham,” a radio program broadcasted by Christian Arts and Communications Service, Chennai. Also, as a guest singer he sang on several stages in Kerala with the Christian Arts and Communications Service, Chennai, where his music directors were well-acclaimed musicians Peter - Rueban and J.M. Raju.

In 1988, he developed a new stage show, ‘Dance the Body Music.’ This was a combination of music, dance, skits and comics performed by professionals in the field.

He led twelve stage shows and four choir performances of Sariga Sangeethalya in the United States of America & Canada in 1990.

He has penned lyrics for over 500 professionally recorded songs and authored seven English books as explained in his Website, Facebook and YouTube channels.

He himself has sung several professionally recorded songs.

He is a regular contributor of articles to several media platforms, leading magazines and newspapers in Malayalam and English.

In 2007, Dr. K.J. Yesudas presented Fr. Johni with Malayalavedhi International’s (Dallas) award for his outstanding contribution to Malayalam Literature and Music.

He is the recipient of the Government of Nova Scotia’s recognition (2012 & 2013) for his contribution to literature, music and culture.

Fr. Pichappilly has been interviewed by Indian and Canadian Television channels, newspapers and magazines.

Fr. Johni’s life is influenced by his family, friends, teachers and well-wishers around the world. He is thankful to every one of them as he continues his journey with pastoral ministries, music, writing and singing.

In collaboration with Padmavibhushan Dr. K.J. Yesudas (through Tharangni and 9 th Angel Records), Father Pichappilly has brought out the following seven Christian Music Albums consisting of seventy songs.

Very Prominent singers like S.P. Balasubrahmaniam, P.Jayachandran, Sarath, Vijay Yesudas, Markose, Abhijith Kollam, Sujatha Mohan, Shweta Mohan, Kester, Madhubalakrishnan, Biju Narayanan, Sudheepkumar, Chithra Arun, Ramesh Murali, Sister Rincy Alphonse S.D, Wilson Piravom, Vidhuprathap, Sithara Krishnakumar, Cicily Abraham, Roopa Revathi, Subin Ignatius, Elizabeth Raju, Gayathri Ashokan, Midhila Michael, Sumersh Ayroor, Bineetha Renjith, Shruthy Sivadas, Nithya Mammen, Archana Thoppil – have sung several of Fr. Johni’s lyrics as single albums.

Please see the songs and its descriptions on his YouTube channel or here on his website for details.