Bhavatharini, the daughter of Tamil music composer 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraaja, who sang several memorable songs, including 'Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu' in Bharathi (2000) and 'Oliyile Therivathu Thevathaya' in Azhagi (2001) passed away in Sri Lanka on Thursday, January 25. She was 47. The Tamil film fraternity and the music industry has been mourning her loss, who won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song 'Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu' composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Bhavatharini's mortal remains have been brought to Chennai from Sri Lanka where she was undergoing treatment before succumbing to cancer.
The news of Bhavatharini's death has come as a major shock to the Tamil film industry, with celebrities from all quarters paying their condolences in person on and social media. Tamil comedian and actor Vadivelu too expressed his grief over the sad news in a telephonic conversation with Galatta saying, "She passed away on Thaipusam and has gone to the Lord. She sang the song 'Masthana' in a film I acted, 'Raasaiyya', and it's heartbreaking for us to lose her. She was a simple girl." He added, " 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraaja is a genius and his beloved daughter meeting with such a fate in health at this age has come as a big shock to us all. Nobody can console Ilaiyaraaja's family now. I want to convey my condolences."
Speaking further about Bhavatharini, Vadivelu stated, "She had a beautiful voice along the lines of great singers like P. Susheela amma and Swarnalatha. She had an appealing voice and she sang several memorable songs. Recently, at Ilaiyaraaja's concert, she asked me if we could take a photograph and I expressed my happiness since she hailed from such a great family. She also said she was planning to do a concert."
Vadivelu added, "Ilaiyaraaja had immense love and affection for her. It'll take him a long time for him to come out of this grief. He must be feeling broken and I can feel his pain here because I lost my mother and brother less than a year back. I too have not come out of the pain of my mother and brother's demise. If I'm going through such a pain, she was his daughter, how will it be for him?"
You can listen to Vadivelu talking about Bhavathirini below:
