Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who has been hospitalised, condoled the death of veteran Carnatic singer Balamuralikrishna, calling it an irreparable loss to the music world.

In her message, she said Balamuralikrishna’s demise was not only a loss to Carnatic singers and music and the film industry, it was a big loss for her. “His place cannot be filled by anyone,” Jayalalithaa said.

Recollecting her felicitation ceremony for Balamuralikrishna, who had then turned 75, she said the memory of honouring him with the state award ‘Gandharva Ghana Samarat’ was still fresh in her mind.

Expressing her condolences to Balamuralikrishna’s family members, Jayalalithaa prayed for his soul to rest in peace.