K. V. Ramachandran facts for kids

K.V. Ramachandran (born 1898, died 1956) was an important Indian writer from Coimbatore and Madras. He lived in the 20th century. He was known for being a music and art critic. This means he wrote reviews and shared his strong opinions about music and art.

A Powerful Critic

K.V. Ramachandran was very well-known for his strong opinions. He was also very influential. People who knew him said that musicians, dancers, and artists sometimes felt nervous around him. This was because his words carried a lot of weight.

His writings appeared in many places. He wrote books, and his articles were published in The Hindu. This is a major national newspaper in India. He also wrote for the Journal of the Music Academy.

Beyond Criticism: Business and Hobbies

Ramachandran was not just a critic. He also created and sold a hair oil called Kesavardhini. After he passed away, his wife and daughters continued to run this business in Chennai.

He loved collecting rare and old Indian artworks. He also collected musical instruments, like the dilrupa. He was friends with Colin McPhee. Colin McPhee was a composer and a music expert from Canada. They wrote many letters to each other about Indian music. You can find these letters in the McPhee Collection. This collection is kept at the University of California - Los Angeles Ethnomusicology Archive.

Ramachandran also worked as an editor. He managed a magazine called Shilpasree. This magazine was all about Bharatanatyam (a type of Indian dance), music, and other fine arts.

His Later Life

K.V. Ramachandran died in Coimbatore on March 26, 1956. His oldest daughter, Seetha Rajagopal, lives in Madras. His other daughters, Shyamala, Gowri, and Bapu, have passed away. As of 2007, his grandchildren and their children live in many different countries. These include Switzerland, the U.S., New Zealand, Canada, and India.