Hamsadhwani Music Sabha Founder passes away

Chennai, May 25 (UNI) 'Hamsadhwani' Music Sabha Founder-Secretary R Ramachandran passed away following protracted illness, here yesterday.

He was 83. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Popularly known as RRC, Mr Ramachandran was a truly multi-faceted personality -- a freedom fighter, cricketer, journalist and civic activist, besides his contribution to music.

A recipient of many awards, he had also bagged the prestigious Kalaimamani award of the Tamil Nadu Government for his contribution to popularising Carnatic music.

Mr Ramachandran had worked for various newspapers, including 'Free Press Journal', 'The Indian Express', 'The Economic Times' and 'The Hindu'. Besides, he had edited 'Straight Bat', a monthly cricket magazine.

He had also served the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for several years.

A founding member of the Civic Exnora movement in the city, his love for music prompted him to start Hamsadhwani here in 1990. The Sabha was known for its popular NRI music fest in December.

The funeral would take place on Saturday, family sources said.

UNI