THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned musician
Balabhaskar, 40, who was battling for life for the past seven days after meeting with a major road accident, has died. The death came around 12.50 am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment in Ananthapuri Hospital here in the city.
Balabhaskar, had met with the accident along with his wife Lakshmi, 38, daughter Thejaswini Bala, 2, and friend Arjun, 2, on national highway at Thamarakkulam near Pallippuram just outside the capital city during the early hours of September 25. The Toyota Innova MUV they were travelling strayed off from the road and rammed into a tree beside the opposite lane of the road when Arjun, who was reportedly driving the car, fell asleep. The child Thejaswini Bala died before reaching the hospital. Balabhaskar had suffered multiple injuries in the accident, including severe damages on spine, rib cage, lungs and brain. Lakshmi and Arjun continues to be under treatment in the same hospital.
An inquest procedure was conducted on the body following which it was shifted to Medical College Hospital for post mortem examination. Sources close to family said that the body will be brought to University College at Palayam, his alma mater, where it will be kept from 1pm to 3.30pm for public to pay tributes. The body will then be taken to Kalabhavan Theatre, where cabinet ministers and dignitaries from various walks of life are expected to turn up to pay tributes. At 6.30 pm, his body will be taken to his wife Lakshmi’s residence at Thittamangalam. Funeral will be conducted at 2 pm on Wednesday. The family’s decision is to bury him near the burial place on the compound.
Balabhaskar is the son of Chandran (retired Post Master) and Santhakumari (retired college teacher) of Thirumala. He has a sister, Meera.
He had achieved fame at a very young age as a violin prodigy, winning numerous music competitions at the school level itself. At the age of 17, he debuted as a music director, composing music for the film, Mangalyapallak. During his college days, he formed the band- 'Confusion', which is perhaps the first independent pop music band in Malayalam, along with his collegemates. After composing music for few more movies, he walked away from the industry to focus more on his own independent music career. He is credited with popularising the genre of fusion music combining elements of western and Carnatic classical music among Malayali music lovers.
Balabhaskar (extreme right) with his wife and daughter in this file photo.
