Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan passed away!

Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan one of the popular musicians of the country passed away yesterday late in the evening in Chennai.

He was admitted to a Chennai hospital five days ago due to a sudden deterioration in health. He was 73 and is survived by his wife, four sons, a daughter and nine grandchildren.

Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan was born in 1932 in a family of musicians and took to music at a very early age. His talent was obvious and the passionate musician came to be known as a person who believed in music's power over the elements.

A man of many talents, he ventured into the film industry with Vaa Raja Vaa. In the film Deivam, his composition "Marudamalai Mamaniyae Murugaiyya..." became most popular. He had composed music for several films including Agathiyar and Raja Raja Chozhan and MGR's Navarathnam.

Recipient of the prestigious Kalaimamani award in 1975 and Padmashree in 2005, Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan produced a film called Todi Raagam which was critically acclaimed for its music.