Paying tribute to a music legend
He undertook a vow of not obtaining monetary gain for his music and performed numerous concerts with the only condition of 'Annadanam,' meaning free meals to all.
A special memorial service will be held in honour of devotional singer and humanitarian, Pithukuli Murugadas, on Sunday, November 22, at the Shree Gengai Amman Temple, situated opposite Albert Luthuli Hospital, from 8am to 9:30am. The 95-year-old musical legend, hailing from India, passed on yesterday.
Murugadas was a writer, lyricist and music composer, who undertook a vow of not obtaining monetary gain for his music and performed numerous concerts with the only condition of ‘Annadanam,’ meaning free meals to all.
Local music maestro, Guru Sadha Munien, who performed live for Murugadas, said, “The Murugadas legacy will live forever throughout the world but in South Africa, he is embedded in everyone’s mind body and soul forever. Rest in peace our legend.” Munien is the founder of the Saraswathie Padasalai School of Fine Art and will host the memorial service.
Murugadas had set up Pithukuli Murugadas Education Trust for South Africans in South Africa and the Deenebandhu Ashram in Wallajapet (near Chennai, India) donating all his wealth.
He also participated in the Salt Satyagraha during Indian freedom struggle and was imprisoned twice. He travelled to all parts of India on-foot twice and was also the recipient of numerous awards including the Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu government and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award.
