By Gayathri Sundaresan
He spent all his life promoting and propagating Carnatic music, wherever he lived. He, with a couple of like-minded friends, founded the Music Triangle in Bombay to cater to music lovers residing in the western suburbs of the city. He continued to support the organisation even after moving to Chennai, by identifying promising talent and providing a platform for them in that mega city.
He founded SAFE – Shanti Arts Foundation and Endowments – in Chennai in memory of his daughter. Through this organisation too, his aim was to showcase bright and potential talent. The October and December concert series showcased both promising youngsters and senior musicians.
An ardent admirer of GNB, he spearheaded the Global GNB celebrations during GNB's centenary year.
Just one year short of its twentieth anniversary, Ramabhadran Mama, as he was fondly known, decided to honour eleven musicians during the December event last year. Did he have a premonition that he would not be around to hold the celebrations this year?
Many are the artists who have passed through the portals of the Music Triangle and SAFE, who acknowledge their gratitude to these sabhas and to Ramabhadran in particular.
He also earmarked funds for charity, supporting needy students of music with scholarships to learn from eminent musicians. All this entirely with his own resources, without having to depend on donations or sponsorships.
The quiet, dignified presence of SAFE Ramabhadran will be sorely missed at all the sabhas.