Biography

THE LAST PHASE

GNB was unfortunately plagued by illness in the latter part of his life. After the major illness in 1959-60, his health gradually became worse and in the last two years of his life, he had to put up with a great deal of physical suffering. However, when he began singing in concerts, he was able to overcome such pains and tune himself to " Nadhabrahmam ". People who knew him intimately during these years attributed this phenomenon to his unflinching devotion to the, Divine Mother Sri Rajarajeswari, his indomitable will and fruits of his ' sadhaka ' over the years. At the end of some concerts, he used to vomit blood. That was the strain under which he used to sing and still regale his audience with a highly enjoyable music fare.

In April, 1965, he fell critically ill and was hospitalised at Trivandrum. He could not perform his father's annual ' Srardha'. He was brought from the Hospital just to witness its being performed by his younger brother. The next day, 1st May, 1965, he expired drenching his innumerable admirers and friends all over the country in tears and sorrow. To everyone of his admirers, his death was a deep personal loss. Such was the remarkable  hold he had over his listeners, The thought uppermost in everyone being " he was a musical genius. When comes such another? "