Major Balasubrahmanian:

Major Balasubrahmanian, (known as Major Mani) along with his musician sister Smt. Susila Atchutaraman and wife Kalpakam Mani, was an admirer of Vinjamuri's music from the early nineteen thirties. As mentioned in his letter, Vinjamuri was their family friend whom they admired so very much. Later, Kalpakam Mani became one of Vinjamuri's disciples, who learnt many rare kritis from him, such as Kalaratri Swaroopini of Muthiah Bhagavatar in the raga Oormika and Sada Madin of Saint Thyagaraja in the raga Gambheera Vani. Here is the letter from Major Mani, when he learnt the news of Vinjmauri attaining the hevenly abode.
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Maj Gen A. Balasubrahmanian A V S M (Retd)                                           Phone: (044) 74348                                                                                               1 Oliver Road                                                                                               Madras 600004                                                                                               India

Dear Govindarajan, 

The news of the demise of your dear father has come as a great shock to us all – my sister Mrs. Susila Achutaraman, Kalpakam and my daughter Pushkala, who all held him in high esteem. Our friendship goes back to almost sixty years – I remember him when I met him at Guntur around 1933 – and we got to be very close when he moved to Madras. 

Apart from his prowess as a performer and musicologist, to us he was a friend whose career was to spread our values and culture all around. In fact, he had all the time for others than even for his family and himself.  His ‘family’ was all embracing! I particularly remember the traumatic days after his accident from which he had a ‘re-birth’. Though the accident did cause physical damage (his richness of voice was only in the memory of those of us who had heard him earlier), his spirit and scholarly pursuits could not be wounded. It was indeed a great lesson in practical living! 

We could see that the Lord above always answered his prayers and the family had made strides in different fields. To mother, who was with him all the time, the parting would be too terrible for any solace through mere words. I am sure, you have the strength to carry the family through this hour of sadness. 

With our love and regards to mother and you all, 

                                                           Yours in grief, 

                                                            (A. Balasubramanian)

 
   

 

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