He was no ordinary jazz pianist. Madhav Chari was a brilliant man with a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Illinois. But he gave up Math to become a full-time pianist and musician. He was a performer who could enthral the audience and touch people with his music.

People in Chennai and around the world, including his fans, friends and those whom he collaborated with, were saddened to hear of his demise in Chennai. He passed away due to a cardiac arrest around 3 am on Friday. It is reported that the cremation happened in Mylapore, Chennai.

Madhav Chari wanted to take jazz to a wider audience and worked on outreach programmes that were aimed at the general audience and college students. He was constantly collaborating with other musicians around the world.

Social media was filled with condolence messages for this wonderful musician that India lost today.

RIP Madhav Chari, a genius. Attended a workshop of his once and it opened up a new window in my mind about looking at jazz. Gone too soon. — Anurag Shanker (@anuragshanker) November 20, 2015

Excerpt from Tam Bram In A Jazz Jam.Filmed with Madhav Chari in 2006. RIP Madhav....make them stomp their feet... https://t.co/IajtJNafVx November 20, 2015

RIP #Madhavchari .. thanks for your music.. — Simon KS (@Simon_Composer) November 20, 2015

RIP Madhav Chari - brilliant mathematician, jazz pianist, fellow Calcuttan, and my college roommate at Dartmouth :( https://t.co/cPC5ShZlkt — Sanjiv Kapoor (@TheSanjivKapoor) November 20, 2015

Shocked and saddened to hear India's Ace Pianist - Mr.Madhav Chari's demise! Hope his legacy continues! RIP. — Aalaap Raju (@aalaapraju) November 20, 2015

Very shocked to hear of the death of #MadhavChari, easily one of the finest jazz musicians I've ever had the privilege to watch. RIP Madhav — Vinay Aravind (@vinayaravind) November 20, 2015

RIP Madhav Chari. Thank You for the Music. The man has to be by far the most astounding Pianist I've had the privilege to Work with ...!! — Sigmund Quadros (@SigmundQuadros) November 20, 2015

India's finest jazz pianist is no more. RIP Madhav Chari. — Thejaswi Udupa (@udupendra) November 20, 2015