Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Indian classical music lost one of its most steadfast guardians on the night of February 4, when Pulipaka Poornachander, an esteemed musician and revered educator, passed away at his residence in Hyderabad. He was 85. Poornachander’s name is closely linked with the golden years of All India Radio, where he served not only as a violin virtuoso but also as an orchestra conductor. 

His long association with the Madras station of AIR earned him a reputation as a musician who could bring both technical brilliance and deep emotional depth to the airwaves.  Born with an innate musical instinct, Poornachander began his formal journey in 1950. What started as a child’s fascination soon turned into disciplined training, rigorous practice, and eventually a mature musical identity. 

He studied under the legendary Lalgudi Jayaraman, whose guidance helped shape Poornachander into a violinist capable of both classical purity and artistic innovation. Throughout his career, he held multiple AIR grades, reportedly excelling across several disciplines. The artist was widely known as an A-Grade performer in at least five categories.Poornachander’s versatility was one of his most defining qualities. 

While his roots remained firmly in Carnatic music, he also mastered Hindustani classical traditions, demonstrating a command over raga, tala and laya that few could match. His voice and violin both carried the same unmistakable sincerity, and his performances were marked by a balance between strict classical structure and expressive freedom. As a National Orchestra Conductor, Poornachander was responsible for coordinating musicians, directing orchestral presentations, and overseeing live broadcasts. 

His presence on the conductor’s podium raised the standard of performance across the board. Poornachander’s collaborations included accompanying stalwarts like Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, where his sensitivity as a musician shone through. Those who knew him say he never compromised classical integrity, even when performing lighter forms of music. 

He was also a respected ghazal singer, a genre in which he demonstrated a refined understanding of rhythm and emotion. In addition to classical and light music, he contributed to film music, lending his voice as a playback singer in several productions, though he never sought the spotlight. His close friend and fellow AIR musician, Kalaga Krishna Mohan, recalled that Poornachander was not only a performer but a teacher in spirit. 

“He believed in music as a way of life,” Mohan said. The final rites of Sri Pulipaka Poornachander are scheduled to take place this afternoon in Hyderabad. While the city mourns, his music continues to live on through AIR recordings, the students he trained, and the many listeners who experienced the depth of his artistry. In the words of those who knew him, Poornachander was more than a musician, he was a living school of music, a standard bearer of classical discipline, and a quiet force who shaped the musical culture of a generation.