Violinist Balabhaskar, who had lit up thousands of stages and hearts with his mellifluous rendering of popular songs and his mastery in fusion music, is no more.

Balabhaskar (40) had been battling for life ever since he and his family met with an accident just outside the State capital on September 25. His two-year-old daughter Thejaswini Bala had died in the accident. His wife Lakshmi (38) and friend Arjun (29), who was at the wheel at the time of the accident, are still in the hospital.

The car had rammed into a wayside tree as the family was returning after offering prayers at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.

He died at 12.55 a.m., according to sources in the hospital in which he was admitted.

Doctors treating him said they were working overtime to ensure his recovery but it did not happen.

Balabhaskar’s death has saddened thousands of his fans. His body will be kept for the public to pay their last respects at a Thiruvananthapuram college where he studied.

The last rites would take place later on Tuesday, in the State capital, from where he hails.

Balabhaskar, whose strength was melody founded in the Carnatic tradition, had caught the eyes and ears of music lovers even as a student and turned a music composer at a young age.

He had composed music for films such as Mangalyappallak, Panchajanyam, Paattinte Paalaazhi, Moksham, and Kannadikkadavath, among others. His albums Ninakkaay and Aadyamaay too have been top of the charts for long.

Of late, he had been focusing on stage shows, teaming up with musicians representing other streams.

(With inputs from IANS)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – October 02nd, 2018