Telangana Movement hero, singer Saichand is no more

Noted singer Saichand, a well-known artist who mesmerised many with his singing during the separate Telangana agitation died of a heart stroke early on Thursday morning

Hyderabad: Folk singer, separate Statehood activist and State Warehousing Corporation chairman V Sai Chander, popularly known as Saichand, passed away after a cardiac arrest at a private hospital here on Thursday. He was rushed to Care Hospital at Gachibowli, but the doctors declared him brought dead.

Aged 39, Saichand is survived by his wife, son and daughter. A native of Amarchinta of Wanaparthy district, he was born on September 20, 1984.

Saichand, along with his family, had gone to their farmhouse in Karukonda of Nagarkurnool district on Wednesday evening. Around midnight, he complained of uneasiness in the chest and was immediately rushed to a private hospital at Nagarkarnool. As his condition deteriorated, the family members shifted him to Care Hospital at Gachibowli where the doctors declared him brought dead. Sources said he suffered two heart strokes during the period which led to his death.

The singer’s untimely death sent shockwaves across the State, especially the members of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and those associated with the Telangana Statehood movement. People cutting across party lines and ideologies arrived in large numbers at his residence in Gurramguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad to pay their last respects.

They could not hold back their tears, recalling his energetic songs and dance during the second phase of the Telangana movement.

BRS President and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, who expressed his shock and grief, over the sudden demise of Saichand at an young age, visited the residence of the departed singer. As he went near the body of Saichand and offered floral tributes, the BRS Chief became emotional. He was visibly moved by the tragic loss and tears welled up in his eyes, before he regained his composure.

Amidst the sombre atmosphere, an emotional plea emerged from Saichand’s wife, Rajini, who was overcome with grief. “Sir, call Sai. Please call him, and he will wake up,” she cried, falling at the feet of the Chief Minister even as her heartbroken cries echoed through the room. Chandrashekhar Rao also comforted Saichand’s father Venkat Ramulu. He consoled the grieving family members, promising all the support required for the family.

Scores of people including BRS leaders, Telangana agitators and artistes participated in the funeral procession taken out from Saichand’s residence to the crematorium at Sahebnagar near Vanasthalipuram. The funeral was conducted amidst slogans of ‘Johar Saichand, Saichand Amar Rahe’.

BRS working president and Minister KT Rama Rao, Finance Minister T Harish Rao, other Cabinet Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, chairpersons of various Corporations and other elected representatives along with party leaders, also visited Saichand’s residence and paid rich tributes apart from attending the funeral. Telangana Jana Samithi president M Kodandaram, BJP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy and Balladeer Gaddar along with leaders from different political parties and artistes were among those who bid adieu to the popular singer.