M.G. Radhakrishnan dead

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Carnatic vocalist and music director M.G. Radhakrishnan died here on Friday afternoon. He was 70. Mr. Radhakrishnan, who had been ailing for a while, died at a private hospital.

Born into a music family in 1940, Mr. Radhakrishnan was the son of musician Malabar Gopalan Nair and Harikatha exponent Kamalakshi Amma. He had his college education at S.D. College, Alappuzha, and took �Ganabhooshanam from Swati Tirunal Music Academy. He then joined All India Radio as music composer.

He made his debut in cinema through Aravindans path-breaking film Thambu. Since then, he had composed songs for a number of films including Aaravam, Chamaram, Thakara, Randu Jenmam, Njan Ekananu, Devasuram, Manichithrathazhu, Advaitham, Achaneyanenikkishtam and Ananthabhadram. The songs in the last two films won him the State award for the best music director. He made outstanding contributions to developing light music. He officiated as executive member of the Sangeeta Nataka Akademi and won its award too.

Mr. Radhakrishnan is survived by wife, Padmaja, a son and a daughter. The body will be cremated on Saturday. People from different walks of life paid homage to Mr. Radhakrishnan. Assembly Speaker K. Radhakrishnan, Minister for Culture M.A. Baby, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy , Sangeeta Nataka Akademi chairman Mukesh, RSP State secretary V.P. Ramakrishna Pillai and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, were there among those who mourned Mr. Radhakrishnan.