Telangana: Padma Shri awardee Sakini Ramachandraiah passes away

Khammam: Padma Shri awardee Sakini Ramachandraiah died at his residence in Baikunaram village near Manuguru here on Sunday afternoon. He was 61. He was unwell for some time and was quarantined at his home.

Sakini Ramachandraiah was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2022 for his contribution to arts. He was one of the rare vocal folk singers and Hole players from Bhadradri town of Telangana. He is known for his expertise in “Kanchumelam-Kanchuthalam”, an art form particularly identified with the Koya tribal community in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This art form is almost on the verge of extinction and Ramachandraiah is the only living practitioner of this art who can narrate the history of the sacred festival “Sammakka Sarakka Jathara” perfectly in both Telugu and Koya languages.