Thiruvananthapuram: The cremation of renowned Violinist Balabhaskar, who died on Tuesday, was held at Shanthi Kavadam, Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday with state honours.
Scores of people had arrived at the crematorium to bid farewell to the musician who had enthralled Malayalis for more than a decade. His favourite violin was also kept on the body as it was taken to the pyre.
The 40-year-old musician had died at a private hospital here on Tuesday around 1 am, a week after a car accident in which his only daughter too had died.
Balabhaskar's autopsy was held at the Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, on Tuesday. Subsequently, his mortal remains were taken to at the University College, Thiruvananthapuram, for the public to pay respects.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, and people from various walks of life paid homage to the departed.
Condoling the musician's demise, Pinarayi Vijayan said Balabhaskar's untimely death was 'deeply painful'.
Veteran singer K J Yesudas said Bhaskar's death was an 'irreparable' loss to the music world.
Music director M Jayachandran said Balabhaskar was a blessed and creative musician.
Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Ramesh Chennithala was among those who condoled the musician's death.
Balabhaskar began his stage shows at the age of 12 and brought out several music albums which went on to become very popular.
In his tweet, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of violinist Balabhaskar. A loss for the world of music and for Thiruvananthapuram. My heart goes out to his grieving family".
Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan said it was a 'sad day for music'.
"Very sad. Very unfair! Just not able to come to terms with it. Our dearest #Balabhaskar has left us ... deeply saddened... our prayers are with the family," he tweeted.
"Too soon. Too unfair. Rest in peace Balu. May you and your lil one be together in a better place," Malayalam film star Prithviraj wrote on the microblogging site.
Malayalam actor Dulqur Salman tweeted, "heart broken hearing about Balabhaskar and daughter Tejaswani" and prayed that his family would have the courage to face their loss.
The musicians two-year-old daughter, Thejaswini Bala, had died the same day after the accident that took place at Pallipuram on the outskirts of the capital city a week earlier. The family was returning after a pilgrimage in Thrissur.
The accident occurred after the musician's friend Arjun, 29, who was driving, dozed off and the car rammed a tree. Balabhaskar's wife Lakshmi, 38, and Arjun, are still undergoing treatment.
Balabhaskar was the son of Chandran, a retired postmaster from Thirumala, and Santhakumari, a retired music teacher of Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram. He has a sister, Meera.
Prodigious talent
The musician shot to fame when, as a 17-year-old, he composed music for the Malayalam film 'Mangalya Pallak'. He has also scored music for films including 'Kannadikadavathu' and 'Moksham.'
Balabhaskar was presented with the Bismillah Khan Yuva Sangeetkaar Puraskaar in 2008 by Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi for Instrumental Music (Violin).
Balabhaskar was part of a band called 'Balaleela' and his stage performance across the country gained him popularity. His fusion performance with renowned musicians and instrumentalists like Ustad Zakhir Hussain, Hariharan, Sivamani, Mattannoor Sankarankutty, Louis Banks, and Fazal Qureshi had a mix of rock and jazz with a carnatic spin.
Musical lineage
It was reputed violinist B Sasikumar who passed on to his nephew the magic of the musical instrument. Music was very much in Balabhaskar's blood – his grandfather was reputed Nadaswara musician Bhaskara Panikkar.
“I don't fear the violin,” Bala used to tell those who asked him how he could perform so well on the tough instrument.
“You seem to be so popular. Everyone is asking about you,” A R Rahman once asked him when they met for a programme in Thiruvananthapuram, acknowledging Balabhaskar's extraordinary skills.
