Parassala Ponnammal death: The Carnatic musician passed away at the age of 96 due to an age-related illness on June 22 around 1 pm at her residence at Valiyasala in Thiruvananthapuram city, according to reports.
The veteran musician and Padma Shri awardee was remembered by her loved ones as an unassuming and gentle soul who chose to lead a low profile life. Along with Padma Shri, she is also the receiver of the Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram named after Swathi Thirunal Rama, the highest honour instituted for musicians in the state, Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship among others.
Among a flood of condolence tweets praying for Ponnammal, here are a few:
Indian politician, writer and former international diplomat Shashi Tharoor took to his official Twitter account and wrote, "Legendary Carnatic musician Padmashree Parassala B. Ponnammal passed away in Thiruvananthapuram today at 96."
He added, "Teacher & performer, in 2006 she became the 1st woman in 300 years of tradition to sing at the famed Navaratri Celebrations of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple. Om Shanti."
BJP politician K Surendran wrote in a Tweet, "Deeply saddened by the demise of the legendary Carnatic musician Padma Shri Parassala B.Ponnammal. She was the first woman who sang at Navaratri Celebrations of Padmanabhaswamy temple. My thoughts are with her family and friends. Om Shanti."
Ponnammal's disciplines, including Neyyatinkara Vasudevan, Omanakutty, MG Radhakrishnan and others expressed their condolences following the demise.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "She was the first woman principal of the Music College (in Thiruvananthapuram) and led a lead role in popularising the work of Kerala's Carnatic musicians.
He added the fact that although women had no opportunity to sing at the Navarathri Mandapam, she sang from the mandapam."
Other admirers of the veteran singers also expressed their grief regarding the same.
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