Renowned music director Ilaiyaraaja’s daughter and talented playback singer, Bhavatharini, succumbed to liver cancer on January 25. The 47-year-old artist sought treatment in Sri Lanka but tragically passed away around 5 pm. Her body will be repatriated to Chennai on January 26, where her final rites will be conducted. Bhavatharini is survived by her husband.
Bhavatharini, daughter of the legendary Ilaiyaraaja and sister to Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja, had a notable career in the music industry. She received acclaim, winning the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the Tamil song ‘Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu’ from the film ‘Bharathi.’
Having battled liver cancer for the past six months, Bhavatharini sought additional treatment in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, she breathed her last in a private hospital.
Bhavatharini marked her singing debut with ‘Raasaiya’ and continued to lend her melodious voice to compositions by her father and brothers, Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja. She also contributed her vocals to works by composers Deva, Sirpy and Harris Jeyaraj.
In 2002, Bhavatharini expanded her artistic repertoire by taking on the role of a music composer for the Revathy-directed film ‘Mitr, My Friend.’ She went on to compose for ‘Phir Milenge’ and several other films. Her final musical venture was for the Malayalam film ‘Maayanadhi.’
Her singing prowess graced numerous Tamil films, including ‘Kadhalukku Mariyadhai,’ ‘Azhagi,’ ‘Friends,’ ‘Paa,’ ‘Mankatha,’ and ‘Anegan,’ leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
