The renowned National Award-winning singer Bhavatharini, daughter of the legendary music maestro Illaiyaraaja, left us at the relatively young age of 47.

Reports indicate that she was ailing and in Sri Lanka at the time of her passing. Bhavatharini marked her singing debut in the 1995 Prabhudeva-starrer Raasaiyya, delivering the chartbuster Masthana Masthana, composed by her father.

Her breakthrough moment came with the rendition of Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu under Ilaiyaraaja's musical direction in the film Bharathi (released in 2000), earning her the National Award in 2001.

Some of Bhavatharini's remarkable vocal performances include Ennai Thalatta Varuvala from Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Thendral Varum from Friends (2001), Oliyile Therivadhu Devadhaya from Azhagi (2002), Kaatril Varum Geethame from Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (2005), Thaaliyae Thevaiyilla from Thaamirabharani (2007), Gumm Summ Gumm from Paa (2009), and Athadi Athadi from Anegan (2014).

Bhavatharini made her debut as a singer in Raasaiya, and since then, she continued to lend her soulful voice to albums composed by her father and brothers. Notably, she also collaborated with composers like Deva and Sirpy. In 2001, she clinched the National Award for the song Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu in the movie Bharathi.

Beyond her singing prowess, Bhavatharini ventured into music composition, making her debut as a music director for the 2002 film Mitr, My Friend, directed by the acclaimed actress Revathi and featuring Shobhana. She expanded her horizons into the Telugu film industry with Avunaa and contributed to Gundello Godari. Additionally, she composed music for Phir Milenge, directed by Revathi, starring Shilpa Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan, and Salman Khan. In 2012, she scored tunes for the village-based project Vellachi.

Bhavatharini's musical journey extended to her role as a music director in films, with her last endeavor being the Tamil film Mayanadhi in 2019. Her well-known brothers, Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja, are acclaimed composers in the industry. Survived by her husband, advertising executive R. Sabariraj, the son of S.N. Ramachandran, Bhavatharini leaves behind a rich legacy in the world of music and cinema.