The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Subbudu passes away

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Sunday, Apr 01, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Subbudu passes away

Staff Reporter

A dance and music critic, he was popular for his writings in Tamil journals

NEW DELHI: Veteran music and dance critic P.V. Subramaniam, better known as Subbudu, passed away on Thursday. He was 91.

Celebrated as much for his felicity with language as for his unflinching criticism of artistes, Subbudu was the music and dance critic of The Statesman. Known as a pioneer in dance and music criticism, he was equally popular for his writings in Tamil journals.

He lived the early part of his life in Burma, where he took an active part in theatre activities and provided musical accompaniment to drama companies.

A harmonium and keyboard player of note, he was also a composer. After his family returned to India in the wake of the upheavals in Burma during the second World War, he took up a job in the Union Finance Ministry in New Delhi.

A musician with the ability to play Carnatic music on the harmonium, he accompanied well-known musicians and dancers.

For the past few years he had been ailing and increasingly confined to bed. Trips to the hospital and a major intestinal operation had limited his mobility. The end came at 7.15 p.m. on Thursday.

He was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat here on Friday morning. Relatives and friends gathered at his house in East Delhi as news of his death spread.

Among the most distinguished visitors was the President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who made a personal visit hours after Subbudu breathed his last to place a rose from the Mughal Gardens on the body. Later Rashtrapati Bhavan staff placed a wreath.

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