Tamil actor, director, editor, political critic, intellect, lawyer and above all a devotee of Mahaswami passed away few hours back in Chennai.
Sri Cho is unique in every way – highly talented in every field he walked into. His versatility and his depth of knowledge in every field is impeccable. His outlook towards national politics and his ability to mentor and advice top leaders truly in the best interest of the country should not be forgotten.
His knowledge in Ramanyanam, Mahabharatham, Bagawatham, Bagawad Gita is amazing. I have seen his books on these topics in Giri traders. He has been a strong supporter of Sri Kanchi Matam for a very long time. He was one of those few folks who were bold enough to criticize TN goat’s action against the Matam during our crisis. Till his last breath, he was proud to call himself brahmin and worked hard to support Hinduism in every manner – particularly helped people who were brain-washed by politically-motivated atheist in TN. I remember one video where he was blasting Karunanidhi for often using the word Sankara Matam in sarcastic manner. Cho went on detailing how long/complex the process is for selecting a peetadhipathi of a Sankara Matam! I vaguely remember it part of Q&A session in his anniversary function for Tughlak magazine few years back.
Here is a small clip from his “Engey Brahmanan” series where he talks about Mahaswami. Even in that interview he very candidly says that he is not qualified to be called as close to Periyava.
Sri Cho – we will miss you dearly. TN had lost one of its finest intellects. We pray Mahaperiyava to bless the departed soul.
Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Shankara!
Categories: Announcements
An outstanding and independent thinker who never hesitated to call a spade a spade. Rooted in Indian values. May Lord Narayana give him eternal peace
I have been an avid reader of Thukral from 1970s and have often be surprised and avowed by the frank views expressed by CHO. The drama Muhammed Bin Thuklak was applicable at the time of 1960 but would continue to be applicable in all time to come. His contribution to Hindu Relegion is immense as all his books are classic, very simple to understand. We have lost a journalist who was never reluctant to do the right thing in times of need. May his soul rest in peace.
I used to think that I am fortunate to have been born in Bharatha desam.To have had the “bhagyam”of having the darshan of Periyava and to be reading the writing of Sri.Cho.
Great loss to the nation.Surely Bhagavan would take him in HIS thiruvadi..
Very big loss
Brilliantly summarised by Sri R Nanjappa
Cho’s tamil translation of Ramayanam and mahabharatham into thamizh is a great service to tamizh and religion. In spite of his achievements he was humble towards saints. He once came to Sri Shivan Sar and said – I read your wonderful book yenippadigalil maandargal. I will try to be a good paamaran. Only those who have read the book will understand the depth of these words.
may mahaperiyava bless him and grant him moksham by saving him from punarapi jananam and punarapi maranam.
Sri. Cho Ramaswamy was a unique personality, was a honest and courageous person. He was unbiased, showed no favoritism, nothing could influence his free thoughts on any matter.He could be called an iconoclastic person. His part in the political and social matters since the sixties are remarkable, exemplary. Pray Maha Periyava to bless his soul for Moksham. My deep felt condolences.
Really we will be missing a person of such a calibre and it is a great loss to T.N and India.
I got to know about this only from this blog…now. Sad to know about the demise of Sri Cho!
Just to add to all that you have said, though there was a ruckus in Tamilnadu about using the tamil equivalents of sa, sha, ksha, ha, etc. (because they are Sanskrit sounds according to them!), Cho continued using them in his magazine. Another example of his courage and conviction.
Also most of his film humour also had the same political satire!
May Almighty give his family, friends and followers the strength to withstand this loss.
Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara
Today, if there is a semblance right thinking and order is prevailing in Tamil Nadu, CHO’s contribution and influence is no less. He was bold and had the gift of convincing even his detractors.
May his soul rest in peace.
CHOVIN ANMA NARKATHI ADAIYA ELLAM VALLA SIVANAI PRARTHIKKIREN. SIVALOKA PRAPTHI RASTHU. JEEVAN MUKTHI PRAPTHIRASTHU. JAYAKUMAR 9444455320. OM SANTHI.SANTHI.SANTHIHI.
it is very rare to find a person with all embracing accomplishments,his loss is really a loss for anmekam and the country
Cho was a colourful figure and outstanding person. He was extraordinary in many respects. Three aspects have to be mentioned:
1. He was perhaps the only person to use humour and satire to deal with current social and political issues, with fearless vigour, He was the only person capable of silencing the invective of Karunanidhi against Hinduism and brahmin community. His magazine ‘Tughlak’ was the only one we could turn to in order to understand the nuances of any intricate and complex issue, which were usually smothered my the mainstream.
2. He showed extraordinary courage in starting a serial explaining Hinduism [ Hindu Maha Samudram] just when many elements in Tamil Nadu were using the false case against the Mutt as a handle to tarnish Hinduism as a whole.
3. Cho combined the best of tradition with the best of modern approach! There was a stunning clarity and directness in his explanations , whether they were of religious or political or other secular matters. He usually provided a novel angle to any issue.
His roles in films often bordered on the silly, meant to provoke cheap laughter. This was perhaps necessary to give him relief from the stress of serious issues he dealt with in his role as editor and commentator on public issues.
Cho was a one man institution- acting as critic and conscience-keeper at the same time. That he wrote in Tamil is both fortunate (for the Tamils) and unfortunate (for the country as a whole, as his ideas and approach did not get all-India coverage. His experiment with an English magazine ‘Pickwick’ did not flourish.) Tughlak issues of the last 40 odd years constitute a valuable source of the social and political history of India, with focus on Tamil Nadu. A saga in fearless journalism has ended. His memory will long be cherished.