Veteran writer and journalist Raju Bharatan passes away
Veteran cricket journalist and writer Raju Bharatan passed away on Friday following a prolonged illness. Bharatan passed away at the age of 86 and is survived by his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. He had worked with the ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India’ for 42 years.
Meanwhile, Bharatan had also directed ‘The Victory Story’ (1974), the first full-length documentary on cricket for Films Division. Bharatan was the author of six books. He penned down his first book 'Rivals in the Sun: A survey of the 1952 Tour of England’ (1952)' followed by ‘Indian Cricket - The Vital Phase’ (1977).
Bharatan had also wrote biographies of legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle and the noted music director Naushad. While extending his condolences on the sad demise of Bhataran, former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi said in a tweet: "Raju Bharatan of Illustrated Weekly is no more. He reported on Cricket and Films with equeal elan and commitment. RIP Raju!"
Meanwhile, journalist Clayton J Murzello said in a tweet, "One of India’s finest cricket and music writers Raju Bharatan, 86, is no more. Those cricket Illustrated Weekly of India issues which he edited were nothing short of brilliant. Covered India’s 1952 tour of England as a teenager. Rest in peace, sir."
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Responding to Clayton's tweet, cricket expert Harsha Bhogle wrote: "Undiluted lover of our game. Those issues Clayton talks of played a part in seeding my love for cricket. Thank you Raju Bharatan." In another tweet, Bhogle said, "Another person who helped me fall in love with the game moves on. KN Prabhu with his writing, Anant Setalvad with his commentary and Raju Bharatan with his Illustrated Weekly specials. Hopefully, we too will pass the baton they passed to us."
Meanwhile, a twitter user wrote: "Raju Bharatan introduced many young readers to indian cricketers from the past. Wrote touchingly about ramakant desai and subash Gupte, bringing alive their magic and talking of what they meant back then."
-PTC News
