By Samudri
Flute maestro N. Ramani died of cardiac arrest in the afternoon of 9th October 2015 in Chennai. He was 81. He was a disciple of his maternal grandfather Azhiyur Narayanaswami and the renowned Flute Mali. He played extensively in India and abroad, presenting solos, 'second flute' with his Guru T.R. Mahalingam, jugalbandis with several Hindustani musicians (a record number with maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia) and was a member of the popular violin-venu-veena (vvv) troupe with violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman and vainika R. Venkataraman.
The vidwan was a popular teacher and established the Ramani's Academy of Flute in Chennai in 1983, where he taught hundreds of students. The RAF has several branches abroad.
The leading Carnatic flutist was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Sangeeta Choodamani (1971), the Kalaimamani award (1973), Venugana Chakravarty (1978), the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984), Padma Shri (1987), Sangita Kalanidhi (1997), and Isai Perarignar (1999).
He was a deeply religious and contented person. Pilgrimage to Sabarimala was an act of faith. He was the asthana vidwan of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and several mutts and temples. For a long time he was associated with the organisation of the Tyagaraja aradhana in Tiruvaiyaru, and would be present on the Pushya Bahula Panchami day to lead the rendition of Chetulara before the Pancharatana kritis.
The breath that he blew through the bamboo, charming his rasikas, has been stilled forever. N. Ramani's passing away is a loss to the field of Carnatic music. Sruti offers its condolences to the bereaved family.
(Read more about the maestro in the cover story published in Sruti 223, April 2003)