Veteran dance and music critic Salem Nanjundaiah Chandrashekar (93), passed away on Monday at his residence in Hanumanthnagar here. “Just as he was getting ready to leave for his work at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, he felt uncomfortable, and in about half-an-hour he breathed his last,” said his brother M. Krishnaswamy.
He was a performing artiste about five decades ago. He took to writing only after he received training from Sohal Lal in Kathak; Yellappa Pillai in Bharatanatyam; and Mysore Thangamma in Carnatic music. He was known for his forthright and candid opinions.
Mr. Krishnaswamy said: “He was associated with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and was an associate editor with the bhavan’s journal, and attended work till yesterday.”
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Soon after the news of his death spread, reputed names from the music, dance, theatre and painting world, with whom he was associated with, thronged his residence. Chandrashekar, who was a bachelor, is survived by his three brothers.
SNC warned critics to get trained in the arts before taking to reviewing. ‘Training provides an inner eye to identify the good and bad,’ he once said.
R.K. UshaDance patron
SNC knew the geography of dance development in Karnataka. Even if he sounded ‘harsh’, his opinion was valued because he knew what he wrote.
Prathibha PrahladDancer