Bhadradri Kothagudem: The final rites of popular folk singer and dhol player Sakini Ramachandraiah were performed at his native place Baikunaram village near Manuguru as per tribal traditions. He passed away at his residence on Sunday.
He belonged to a rare group of vocal folk singers and dhol players in Telangana. Ramachandraiah was acclaimed for his expertise in ‘Kanchumelam-Kanchuthalam’, an art form particularly identified with the Koya tribal community in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He was also adept at playing the endangered drum instrument of Koyas.
Following his death, deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao described Ramachandraiah as the saviour of tribal art forms, tradition and culture that were facing near-extinction.
