Date:11/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/11/stories/2008091155201002.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Great loss

It is hard to believe that Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, the man who mesmerised music lovers with his violin, is no more. I knew him much before he became famous. He was hard-working and wished to do something new in music. He was a simple, good natured man. He will forever remain in the hearts of music lovers.

P. Balasubramanian,

New Delhi

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The passing of the violin maestro is immensely saddening. He was a unique musician who could play classical, folk, modern and western music with aplomb. He will be missed by the common man and the connoisseurs of Carnatic music.

V. Rajagopalan,

Chennai

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I cannot think of the Thygaraja Aradhana in Thiruvaiyaru without Kunnakudi. What a great musician and entertainer he was! His death is a big loss for music lovers.

R. Srinivasan,

Chennai

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Kunnakudi’s demise is an irreparable loss to the world of music. His uniqueness lay in his classical excellence, which acquired a special charm thanks to his inimitable technical dexterity and innovation and his ability to blend classicism with novelty. Music lovers will never forget the vigour he exuded on stage.

R. Ahalya Padmanabhan,

Tiruchi

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Winners, they say, do things differently. These words befit Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, who gave a new dimension to classical music. His unique style of delivering ragas, swaras and keerthanas could captivate the hearts of even those who did not know the rudiments of classical music. When it came to scoring music for films, he did it with a stamp of authority and aplomb. His death is indeed a great loss to music lovers across the globe.

S. Ramakrishnasayee,

Ranipet