Veena vidwan R. Venkataraman and his daughter were found dead near a flyover on the national highway at Ulundurpet on January 5.

Local police said the vidwan who was recently honoured with the Sangita Kala Acharya award at the sadas of The Music Academy and is a resident of Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, and his daughter Devisri were travelling in a car towards Thiruvananthapuram.

When the car was on the bridge, it swerved and fell off the bridge. Both of them died instantaneously.

R. Venkataraman played a few concerts during the 'season' in Chennai, the last two for the 'Samarpanam' series organised by Carnatica and for Naada Inbam at the Raga Sudha hall.

He had stayed away from the stage for some time in 2009 after he lost his wife.

He was greeted on stage at the Academy by a long line of well wishers after
he was decorated by Union Minister P. Chidambaram. (seen in photo)

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Tribute

The sudden demise of Veena Vidwan R.Venkataraman has left a huge hollow in them musical world, veena in particular.

As a vainika myself, I have had very great respects and admiration towards his playing and his music which we always used to look forward to.

A well wisher of our family, in my childhood days he used to be a regular visitor to our house in Shenkottai Sri Venkataraman used to team up with my father Mridangam Vidwan Sri Shenkottai Rajamani on several concerts, which I have witnessed myself still stay on in our memories. A very soothing vainika, he had a style of his own and also had very keen fans of music. I had the unique privilege of working alongside with him during my tenure as a veena teacher at the Music Academy in Chennai.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family at this difficult time. A great support to youngsters, Venkataraman will continue to live amongst us through his music and spirits.

- Subathra Raguraman, UK.