Wellknown Thiruppugazh teacher Alamelu Santhanam passed away on May 7 at her residence in Luz Avenue, Mylapore. She was 86.
A Luz Avenue resident since 1955, Alamelu was well known in the locality. A respected teacher of Thiruppugazh – she had disciples in India and abroad. Alamelu learnt Thiruppugazh from Kalyani Ramaswami, a disciple of ‘Guruji’ Raghavan of Delhi.
Born in Kumbakonam, Alamelu studied up to SSLC in a government school. In 1955, she got married to Santhanam who worked in the AG’s office and moved to Chennai.
She has two sons – Suresh Santhanam who lives in the US and Ramesh Santhanam who lives in Chennai. Alamelu’s two sisters and one brother – all live in Mylapore.
Alamelu and Santhanam used to organise religious tours to Sri Murugan temples. She was also the vice president of Thiruppugazh Anbargal group.
Suresh Santhanam, her son, says that she lived a life the way she wanted to live it. “My father and mother visited me in the USA in 1992 and they knew more people in the US than I did because of Thiruppugazh,” says Suresh.
Alamelu’s brother-in-law Ganesh said that for Alamelu, Thiruppugazh was not just music — it was her life and soul.
Alamelu’s family can be contacted at 9940138281
