Radha, stepdaughter of M S Subbulakshmi, dies

 Radha Viswanathan, classical vocalist and stepdaughter of music legend M S Subbulakshmi, died here on Tuesday. She was 83.

She had accompanied MS at concerts around the world, and was her constant companion.

Born on December 11, 1934, in Gobichettypalayam, Radha was was raised by MS, whom her father married after the death of his first wife.

"The first thought on hearing Radha's name is that she was a loyal shadow of MS," said RK Padmanabha, renowned vocalist.

Mysore V Subramanya, music critic, describes Radha as one of the most humble musicians.

Padma Narayan, classical vocalist, said the music fraternity had no words to describe the magnanimity of Radha both as a person and an artiste.

Padmanabha echoes the sentiment. "She would always accompany MS. She had a special skill to merge her voice along with that of MS, a most difficult thing to do," he said. Not even once did she overshadow her mother, he told DH.

Radha was suffering from pneumonia, and she spent her last moments listening to Sriman Narayana, a hymn made popular by her mother, according to a report.