Popular Carnatic Musician TS Ramaa Passes Away At 70

Popular Carnatic vocalist and musician Professor TS Ramaa passed away in Bengaluru on Monday night. She was admitted to the City Hospital where she breathed her last breath. She was 70. The exact cause of her death has not been reported.

Ramaa was ‘A’ Grade artiste at All  India Radio (AIR) and she was the head of the department of music at APS College, Bengaluru. Ramaa also established the Postgraduate (PG) music course at Jain University, Bengaluru. 

RIP TS Ramaa https://t.co/8AEGSiikJL

— KayKap (@Kirti) October 21, 2020

Ramaa began learning Carnatic music when she was six years old under the Jayam-Bhagyam sisters. “When I was six-years-old, there was a ceremony happening at my neighbour’s place. Jayam- Bhagyam and TAS Mani were invited, and they put up a wonderful concert. After we were back from the ceremony, I told my father that I wanted to learn music and my parents created that environment for me,” recalled Ramaa, as per The New Indian Express. 

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Subsequently, her parents spoke to the Jayam Bhagyam sisters and convinced them to give their daughter music lessons. She had to show up at their house at 6.30 am for her lesson. They taught Rama music while doing other daily chores such as cooking and cleaning. TS Ramaa also trained under Professor V Ramaratnam of Mysuru, Seethalakshmi Venkateshan, and Suganda Raman.

TS Ramaa completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music from APS College. Later on, she completed her Master of Arts (MA) in History from Central College and Master of Arts in Music from Mysore University. Ramaa once said that when she was studying at APS College, her Professor would ask her to teach his students in the class. 

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 'Ganakalasri' T S Ramaa

In 1972, she was awarded a ‘B’ grade (entry-level) by All India Radio, moving to ‘A’ grade in 1979. Her association with AIR lasted for 45 years. 

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Ramaa was conferred with the title 'Ganakalasri' by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006. She was also felicitated with the Doordarshan Chandana award in the field of Carnatic music in 2017.

Her brother S Raghu told Deccan Herald, “She never craved for awards or hankered after any position. She was popular for her traditional style and authentic presentation.” 

Image Credit: Deccan Herald

Sagrika Giri is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.