National Award-winning playback singer and composer Bhavatharini passed away at the age of 47 on Thursday. She was the daughter of the legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja and his wife Jeeva, and the sister of composers Yuvan Shankar Raja and Karthik Raja. Reports indicate that she succumbed to liver cancer while undergoing treatment in Sri Lanka.
According to Sun News, Bhavatharini had been unwell for the past five months and travelled to Sri Lanka to undergo Ayurveda treatment. She passed away at 5.30 pm on Thursday.
Ilaiyaraaja was present in Sri Lanka at the time of his daughter’s passing. He had travelled to the country for music concerts scheduled for Friday and Saturday, as reported by Sun News. He will return to Chennai, accompanied by Bhavatharini’s mortal remains.
தமிழ்த் திரைப்பட இசையமைப்பாளரும், பின்னணி பாடகரும், இசைஞானி இளையராஜா அவர்களின் மகளுமான பவதாரிணி அவர்கள் உடல்நலக்குறைவால் மறைந்த செய்தி மிகுந்த வேதனையளிக்கிறது.
30 திரைப்படங்களுக்கு மேலாக பணியாற்றி, தனித்துவமான இனிமையான குரலால் மக்களைக் கவர்ந்தவர். பாரதி திரைப்படத்தில் “மயில்… pic.twitter.com/WUsiUhefNk
— R Sarath Kumar (@realsarathkumar) January 25, 2024
Meanwhile, numerous Tamil cinema icons and celebrities have taken to social media to express their grief over Bhavatharini’s demise. Kamal Haasan shared his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “My heart aches. I don’t know how to console my beloved brother Ilaiyaraaja. I will hold his hand through this. Bhavatharini’s death cannot be tolerated or accepted. My brother Ilaiyaraaja should not lose heart dealing with this huge loss. My heartfelt condolences to Bhavatharini’s family.”
Actor R Sarath Kumar wrote on X, “The news of Tamil film music composer, playback singer, and musician Ilaiyaraaja’s daughter Bhavatharini passing away due to ill health is deeply saddening. It is an irreparable loss to the music industry. On behalf of my family, I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved musician, Bhavatharini’s brothers Yuvan Shankar Raja and Karthik Raja, her family, relatives, friends, and the music industry. Let us pray to God for the peace of her soul.”
The voice that forever lives in the heart of people for its innocence and love! You were a pure soul! Gone too soon! I pray to God to give strength to the family of Illayaraja sir and my brother @thisisysr at this moment! Rest in peace Bhavatharini. 💔#Bhavatharini #RIP pic.twitter.com/PO3ArYGq49
— Silambarasan TR (@SilambarasanTR_) January 25, 2024
Tamil actor Silambarasan shared a video of Bhavatharini singing the song “Meherezylaa” from his 2021 film Maanaadu, noting, “The voice that forever lives in the hearts of people for its innocence and love! You were a pure soul! Gone too soon! I pray to God to give strength to the family of Illayaraja sir and my brother @thisisysr at this moment! Rest in peace Bhavatharini. 💔”
Actors Simran, Soori and Gautham Karthik, director Selvaraghavan, and composers D Imman and Santhosh Narayanan, among others, also expressed their sadness over the singer’s passing.
Meanwhile, an old video of her brother Yuvan Shankar Raja talking about Bhavatharini has gone viral on social media. The video shows him reminiscing about how she introduced him to the world of music by teaching him the basics of piano.
Life can be cruel sometimes
Stay strong Yuvan @thisisysr #Bhavatharini #RIPBhavatharini 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/yhP4KpFa9Q— Stardust (@Stardust__7) January 25, 2024
Addressing a public gathering, Yuvan recalled, “Back then, I did not know music because I never learned it. It was my sister who gave me my first piano lessons. She guided me by placing my hand on the instrument and encouraging me to play,” Yuvan shared, visibly emotional.
Her body is expected to be brought back to Chennai on January 26, where the final rites will be conducted. The singer is survived by her husband R Sabariraj.
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