The devotional singer's style and his diction raised the bar for others in the field.

Devotional and bhajan singer Pithukuli Murugadass, whose unique voice rivalled the best singers of the classical music and who raised the bar when it came to singing the keerthanas of Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyer, died on Tuesday. He was 95.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that his voice resembled that of G.N. Balasubramaniam and his effortless playing of harmonium made the instrument sound like a second singer accompanying him,” said mridhangam player Karaikudi R. Mani, who had accompanied him in a lot of concerts and recordings.

Alayaipayuthe Kanna , Aaadathu Asangathu Vaa and Pal Vadiyum Mugam beginning with the Itchuvai Thavira Inthiralogam Poi Aazhum of Thondaraipodi Azhwar’s pasuram was soaked in bhhava and bhakti and in the accompaniment of Mr. Mani in mridhangam captivated the listeners.

A native of Coimbatore, Pithukuli Murugadass was a disciple of Brahamnananda Paradesi and learnt music and harmonium playing from his elder sister. Pithukuli roughly translated into “mad” and Murugadass, a “devotee of Muruga.” He lost one of his eyes while playing gilli with other children and a black glass became a part of his personality. “For many years he lived like a sanyasi and travelled across the country. He was once held in captivity by the dacoits of Sambal Valley, who mistook him to be a police CID. After singing a few bhajans he was let off,” recalled writer Lalitha Ram who has done an extensive interview with him.

Mr. Mani said Murugadass had perfect pronunciation and never mauled the diction even as he raised his renderings to a different plane.

“It was he who first encouraged the audience to sing with him. He was followed by people like Haridoss Giri. He simply moved the audience with his bhakti-laden music,” said Mr. Mani. Mr Mani said it was Murugadass who first allowed him to perform on the dais. “Since I was a kid, he used to give me a chocolate whenever I felt sleepy. Later during his first tour to Sri Lanka, he took me along with him,” he acknowledged.