CHENNAI: Popular radio and television personality, Thenkachi Swaminathan (67) died of a massive heart attack at a private hospital on Wednesday.
A pioneer in farm radio programmes in the country, especially in Southern India, he joined the All India Radio (AIR), Tirunelveli, in 1977, and retired as an assistant director of AIR, Chennai, in 2002.
An agriculture science graduate, Swaminathan had popularised the Pannai Illam (Farm house) programme meant for conveying modern day farm techniques to the farmers in easy language, which had the effect of mesmerising the entire farm community.
G Selvam, former director of AIR, Chennai, who initiated Swaminathan into Indru Oru Thagaval (A piece of information today) programme, which gave him instant popularity, told Express that Swaminathan had proved his mettle in whatever assignment that was given to him – writing scripts, plays, discussions, poetry sessions, children’s programmes, dialogues and short stories, among others.
Swaminathan went on to present five minute Indru Oru Thagaval programme for many years without a break, in simple and effective language, punctuated with a anecdotes and punch lines. The show too remained popular among listeners.
“The collection of his Indru Oru Thagaval has been published in 25 book volumes. Swaminathan gave the entire remuneration he got through these books to charities,” Selvam recalled with a deep emotional tone.
Swaminathan was also hosting Indha Naal Iniya Naal (This day is a good day), a similar show on Sun TV, for long. In his last interview to a magazine, Swaminathan was asked to tell a story which would make the readers shed tears. Swaminathan replied: “There is no need for a story…the words Sri Lankan Tamils will be sufficient to bring tears”. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
BJP State president L Ganesan and DK president K Veeramani have condoled his demise.