“It requires true courage for self-criticism. Only a democrat can do that. I always feel Mr Cho is a true democrat, a true democrat” – PM Narendra Modi on Ramaswamy’s Death.
Actor, role player, comedian, playwright, author, dialogue writer, editor, film director, lawyer, political satirist and critic. Multitalented Srinivasa Iyer, fondly known as Cho Ramaswamy passed away in Chennai on Wednesday morning. A resident of Tamil Nadu, Cho was a close friend and advisor to former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, who co-incidentally died on Tuesday. 82-year old Cho suffered a fatal cardiac arrest and took his last breath at 4 am today.
Cho Ramaswamy’s Death Resulted from Old Age and Heart Problems
On November 29, Srinivasa was rushed to Apollo Hospital (Chennai) for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder). He was admitted in ICU for a day. Tuesday afternoon, he watched live telecast of former CM Jayalalithaa’s death. By evening, his condition deteriorated and the doctors had to put him on ventilator. Unfortunately, he couldn’t survive the night since his lung condition worsened with time. Resultantly, Cho took his last breath on Wednesday morning.
Srubuvasa Iyer Ramaswamy: A Man with Momentous Talents
Born on October 5, 1934, S.I. Ramaswamy is remembered as the founder and editor of Thuglak, a political Tamil magazine. The senior lawyer-turned agriculturist met former CM Jayalalithaa in his college days. While studying law at college, Cho joined an amateur theatre troupe in hopes of whetting his theatre skills. He was widely acclaimed for his unbiased political assessment and the audacity with which he put forth his point of view on social issues.
In his middle ages, he played a satirist and political advisor. Famous politicians like M.G. Ramachandran, Indira Gandhi, Karunanidi, Jayalalithaa, Manmohan Singh, Advani, Chidambaram, Sonia Gandhi and Advani were prime targets of Cho’s editorial attack. He was impartial appreciator and critic of both the right wing and left wing political parties.
Cho served as lawyer at the Madras high court for six years. Thereafter, he joined TTK group as legal advisor. His writing talents are evident from 23 stage plays and 14 movie scripts. He is known for his play ‘Mohammad Bin Thuglaq’ that resurrected the deceased Sultan and placed him as the prime ministerial position in modern-day India. His nickname ‘Cho’ comes from a character that he had performed in ‘Thenmozhiyal’.
As an actor, we saw him performing in 200 films. He also scripted and directed TV serials and movies. Being an avid fan of Thuglak, he launched a Tamil magazine in his memory, to criticize the opposition.
Cho was an active member of Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005.
In last few years of his life, Cho was moved by Narendra Modi’s efforts toward developing a progressive nation. The PM fondly calls him ‘Raj Guru’.
Today, he’s survived by his wife Soundara and kids Sindhu and Rajivakshan. Following Cho’s death, his body was brought to his residence in MRC Nagar. His funeral rights were scheduled for today. All in all, it’s a black week for Tamil Nadu that lost two epic gems– CM Jayalalithaa and Cho Ramaswamy in a week.
