V S Rajagopal.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Eminent Mrudangam player V S Rajagopal passed away at his home in Malleswaram in northern Bengaluru at around 7:30 am on Wednesday. He was 87.
Born in Mysuru, Rajagopal served in the All India Radio (AIR) for two decades, playing Mrudangam from 1976 to 1996.
Mrudangam is a percussion instrument used as a rythmic accompaniment.
During his long career, Rajagopal provided Mrudangam accompaniments to such artistes as Veene Doresway Iyengar, R K Srikanthan, M L Vasantha Kumari, Nagamani Srinath, D Balakrishna, and S Shankar, among others.
Rajagopal received many awards, including the Rajya Vidwan Prashasti during the Mysuru Dasara, according to Veena player D Balakrishna.
Rajagopal is survived by a son and a daughter. His last rites will be performed at the Harishchandra Ghat in Srirampura on Wednesday afternoon, Balakrishna added.