His lilting melodies had a soothing effect on audiences, a trait that lasted for a good five decades. Perhaps it was befitting that V Dakshinamoorthy experienced death in a similar manner - peaceful without any pain or suffering.
According to Hindu beliefs, persons on their death-bed could count themselves lucky if they die on an Ekadashi - the 11th lunar day in the lunar month of the Hindu almanac. The belief is that such persons attain salvation by immediate union with the God. Dakshinamurthy’s grandson, who also shares his name, said: “I am deeply saddened by his demise, but am spiritually grateful that it has happened on an Ekadashi.” The last rites took place at a crematorium in Triplicane, strictly according to Hindu tradition.
Late on Friday evening the musician who had decided to stay with his son in Besant Nagar for a while had packed up and was set to leave, when he felt exhausted and took a nap. At 7 pm the end came. “He was not suffering from any ailment, although he had some cough and cold for two days,” the grandson said.
End of Classicism
A host of celebrities from the Tamil and Malayalam film world made a beeline for the residence of their dear ‘Swami’, the late musician V Dakshinamoorthy, to pay their last respects to him one last time. Personalities from across the industry arrived en-masse, and in their utterances, acknowledged their solidarity with the bereaved family. Noted actor Mammootty reminisced that V Dakshinamoorthy was his gateway to Carnatic music.
His was an expression that found an echo in the Minister for Culture from Kerala, K C Joseph, who said that V Dakshinamoorthy managed to take Carnatic music, perceived as a domain of the elite, to the masses.
Veteran national award-winning composer Ilayaraja, acknowledged as Dakshinamoorthy’s student, indicated that the demise was not just a loss to music, but the loss of music itself.
Veteran singers including S P Balasubramanyam, Vani Jairam, P Susheela and Jayachandran were among those present.