<p> Veteran cricket journalist and writer on film music Raju Bharatan died following a prolonged illness here on Friday, sources confirmed.</p>.<p>He was 86 and is survived by his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.</p>.<p>Bharatan worked with "The Illustrated Weekly of India" for 42 years.</p>.<p>He also directed "The Victory Story" (1974), the first full-length cricket documentary for Films Division.</p>.<p>The author of six books, Bharatan first penned "Rivals in the Sun: A survey of the 1952 tour of England" (1952), followed by "Indian Cricket - The Vital Phase" (1977).</p>.<p>Bharatan also wrote the biographies of legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and noted music director Naushad.</p>.<p>Condoling Bharatan's death, former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi tweeted saying, "Raju Bharatan of Illustrated Weekly is no more. He reported on Crkt & Films with equal elan & commitment. RIP Raju!."</p>
<p> Veteran cricket journalist and writer on film music Raju Bharatan died following a prolonged illness here on Friday, sources confirmed.</p>.<p>He was 86 and is survived by his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.</p>.<p>Bharatan worked with "The Illustrated Weekly of India" for 42 years.</p>.<p>He also directed "The Victory Story" (1974), the first full-length cricket documentary for Films Division.</p>.<p>The author of six books, Bharatan first penned "Rivals in the Sun: A survey of the 1952 tour of England" (1952), followed by "Indian Cricket - The Vital Phase" (1977).</p>.<p>Bharatan also wrote the biographies of legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and noted music director Naushad.</p>.<p>Condoling Bharatan's death, former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi tweeted saying, "Raju Bharatan of Illustrated Weekly is no more. He reported on Crkt & Films with equal elan & commitment. RIP Raju!."</p>