MUMBAI: After fighting a long battle of breathing related issues, the 95-year-old Tamil singer Pithukuli Murugadas passed away at his residence in Mylapore, Chennai at 3:30 am on 17 November, 2015.His final rites were to take place at 3 pm today at Krishnampet crematorium.

Murugadas, born as Balasubramanian, in Coimbatore on 25 January, 1920 to a Brahmin family, was known for his music composition, writing and singing. His musical education began at home with his grandfather Gopalkrishna Bagavathar teaching him bhajans. He grew up to compose devotional songs, most of which were centred on Goddess Devi, Lord Muruga, and Lord Krishna. His music was not just limited to a particular region as he travelled to Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the USA to perform his songs.

The musician was also part of the freedom struggle, due to which he lost his left eye in 1936. His wife Devi Saroja passed away in 1978.

Brahmananda Paradesiyar, a saint changed his name to ‘Pithukuli (a spiritual person) and Swami Ramadas, head of Aanandashram in Kanjangad in Kerala, added the title Murugadas meaning ‘the servant of Lord Muruga’.

Over the years, Murugadas was bestowed with many awards including the Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu government, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

He is survived by his sister Thangam.