Padma Ramachandran hands over a cheque to N. Gopala Swami, former Chief Election Commissioner at Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai on Wednesday. Also seen are N. Ravi, chairman, Kasturi and Sons, Musician Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman .and S. Sowmya, vice-chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University, | Photo Credit: R. Ravindran

The year-long centenary celebrations of journalist, cricketer and founder of Hamsadhwani R. Ramachandran got formally under way in Chennai on Wednesday with the committee of hosts announcing concerts, cultural programmes, memorial lectures, talent searches, awards and endowments to mark the occasion. 

Former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami said a special programme to commemorate RRC centenary was held at Cleveland, USA on April 6 with a concert by Vidhushi Sudha Ragunathan. He said since R. Ramachandran had been engaged with several public causes and cultural endeavours, a talent search and scholarship programmes for young aspirants of music from rural and semi-urban towns would be held. An award for best student journalist would be given through an endowment created in his name and a memorial lecture would be held to highlight his contribution to journalism.  

The year’s events were formally launched with a vocal concert by Rahul Vellal and a thematic dance performance by Anitha Guha’s Bharatanjali and Global Organisation for Divinity at the Narada Gana Sabha auditorium. 

N. Ravi, chairman, Kasturi and Sons said RRC’s life could be seen in two phases — one the journalist and the other after retirement when he pursued his interests in sports, music and social service. As a journalist, he had worked under three editors and he was a valued colleague in The Hindu, respected by his peers. His work was meticulous, he added.