Udupi: Renowned musician Rajani Hebbar (30) loses battle with cancer

Udupi, Jun 10: Ranjani Hebbar (30), a renowned Carnatic classical music performer, breathed her last on Sunday June 9 night at Manipal Hospital, after battling cancer for a brief period.

Ranjani, a native of Dakshina Kannada, was the daughter of botany professor, Aravind Hebbar and Vasanthalaxmi. After being detected with uterus cancer, she had been admitted to Manipal Hospital sometime back. The family said that the mortal remains of the musician are being kept at their home in Indrali here to enable the people to pay their last respects.

Even during her student days, Ranjani, who completed post graduation in classical music from Madras University, had carved out a niche for herself as a talented singer from coastal Karnataka. She used to visit Chennai during weekends to undergo coaching in singing. Chengalpettu Ranganathan was one of her Gurus. She had also been awarded with a number of scholarships including M S Subbulaxmi scholarship.

Ranjani, who belonged to a family of talented musicians, had mastered the art of identifying different Raagas even before attaining five years of age. She was counted as one among the best vocalists from South India, and was A-grade artiste at the All India Radio.

After marrying software engineer, Guruprasad, two years ago, she had continued to live in Chennai and hone her musical skills. Even during her illness for the past few months, her passion for music did not lessen.