It seemed the fans were all reluctant to let Balabhaskar go so early, as they crowded into all the available space inside the Shanthikavadam in Thycaud on Wednesday morning. The police and his friends had a hard time taking the body inside, through the crowd.
Since Tuesday afternoon, the fans have streamed in for a last glimpse of the acclaimed violinist, when the body was kept for public viewing at the University College and later at Kalabhavan Theatre. They were here too, some of them sobbing silently. The ambulance carrying his mortal remains from his house in Thirumala reached Shanthikavadam around 10.30 a.m.
Ministers A.K. Balan, M.M. Mani, and V.S. Sunilkumar were at the crematorium to pay their last respects. CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja, and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala had visited his home in the morning.
A replica of a violin was placed over his body as the last rites were being performed. His uncle and music guru B. Sasikumar stood close as the rites were being performed. Balabhaskar was cremated with full State honours. His friends and fellow musicians Sivamani and Stephen Devassy carried the body on its final journey.
Balabhaskar had met with an accident at Thamarakkulam near Pallippuram on September 25, when he was travelling with his wife Lakshmi, daughter Thejaswini Bala and friend Arjun. His daughter was declared dead on arrival at a private hospital here. For the past one week, the violinist had been battling for his life. Although there were hopes of a revival early this week, he breathed his last early on Monday morning, following a heart attack.
Having burst into the spotlight as a young violin prodigy, Balabhaskar has over a career spanning more than a quarter century won a legion of fans with his soulful performances in stages across the world.
