Obituary : ‘Cho’ follows Jayalalithaa
July 17, 2025
  • Read Ecopy
  • Circulation
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Organiser
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
MAGAZINE
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
Organiser
  • Home
  • Bharat
  • World
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Defence
  • International Edition
  • RSS in News
  • Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
Home General

Obituary : ‘Cho’ follows Jayalalithaa

by Archive Manager
Dec 12, 2016, 12:00 am IST
in General
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramEmail


Towering public intellectual, journalist, actor and satirist Cho Ramaswamy passed away on December 7 in Chennai. Founder editor of Tamil Magazine Tuglak, Cho shaped the consciousness and opinion of  generations

T S Venkatesan, Chennai

Journalist, Actor, play-write, Political satirist  Ramaswamy, popularly known as Cho Ramaswamy, died in Chennai on December 7 following a cardiac arrest at the age of 82. Born on October 5, 1934 to senior lawyer-turned agriculturist Srinivasa Iyer and Rajambal, he grew up in Mylapore and studied law. During his college days, he was a member of an amateur theatre troupe, where he befriended young Jayalalithaa who used to accompany her mother Sandhya for rehearsals. He had practised law in Madras high court for six years before joining TTK Group as its legal advisor for several years.
Cho wrote nearly 23 stage dramas, including ‘Mohammed Bin Thuglaq’, where he resurrected Thuglaq from his grave to become the prime minister of India. He acted in 200 films, directed four and scripted another 14. He got the name “Cho” from a character he enlivened on the stage in a play called ‘Thenmozhiyal’. He scripted and directed TV serials and acted in them. He worked with matinee idols M G Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan, Jaisankar, besides Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He was a close friend of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who died on December 4. He had good equations with all political leaders.
Cho was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on November 29 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). He was moved to the intensive care unit when his condition worsened. “He was watching the news and Jayalalalithaa funeral procession until Tuesday (December 6) afternoon. His condition deteriorated and he was put on a ventilator,” said a treating doctor. He died at 4am. Cho is survived by his wife Soundara Ramaswamy, son Rajivakshan alias Sriram and daughter Sindhu.
Cho was founder editor of Tamil magazine Thuglak (1970). Every year, on January 14, he held a public meeting to meet his readers and honour staff of the magazine. Senior leaders also attended the annual meeting. He championed continuously for right wing ideologies. He was constant contrarian to the populist Dravidian parties, Tamil separatism, support for LTTE etc. Cho was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet said:“Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist and fearless voice who was respected and admired,” and brilliant” he said
 In his condolence message to his wife Soundara Ramaswamy, the President Pranab Mukerjee said, “I am sad to learn about the passing away of your husband, Cho Ramaswamy, well known theatre and film personality, journalist and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). “Shri Ramaswamy was admired for his wit and satire. He was a fearless critic of all that was wrong. A non-conformist who lent voice to the silent majority through his incisive writing,” Mukherhjee said. He said Ramaswamy maintained the highest standards of professionalism throughout his life for which he was honoured with many awards, including the G D Goenka Award for excellence in journalism.“Cho proved a pen and a brush are the mightiest weapons against falsehood, was crusader for truth, supported movement to popularise Thiruvalluvar in Northern part of Bharat. I had met him in Apollo Hospital Chennai some time back when he was convalescing though had a difficulty in speaking. He was very happy to see me and blessed efforts to bring the teachings of Thiruvalluvar to the masses specially in the North India schools and colleges. Though unable to speak due to illness, he was kind to write on a slate his appreciation of Thiruvalluvar Ganga Payanam: “You are doing great work. Congrats. Keep it up”. He was awarded the Panchjanya award for fearless journalism by Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee in 1997. His voice was the voice of the masses, his satires pardoned none and his commitment to India's culture and civilisational values was unshakeable,” remembered Tarun Vijay, former editor of Panchjanya who was present in Chennai.

ShareTweetSendShareSend
✮ Subscribe Organiser YouTube Channel. ✮
✮ Join Organiser's WhatsApp channel for Nationalist views beyond the news. ✮
Previous News

As I See RSS : Matter of Perception

Next News

A Page from History : Election Day in America Some sidelights

Related News

Representative image

Uttarakhand: Dismantling leftist agenda, state govt calls on NCERT to introduce Bhagavad Gita & Ramayana

Representative image

Kerala Welcomes Ramayana Masam: A month of devotion, reflection, and Mandir traditions

Karnataka: Hindu Man alleges forced conversion to Islam by Muslim wife Tahseen Hosamani in Gadag

Representative Image, Inset- Maoists' banner

Chhattisgarh: Maoists regrouping in smaller units, blending with locals to avoid detection amid intensified campaign

Baloch rebels launch devastating ambush on military bus in Kalat: Several Pakistani soldiers killed, media barred

Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham recited Hanuman Chalisa for the first time in the Parliament of London. (X)

Hanuman Chalisa echoes in British Parliament for the first time during Dhirendra Shastri’s historic visit

Load More

Comments

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Organiser. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.

Latest News

Representative image

Uttarakhand: Dismantling leftist agenda, state govt calls on NCERT to introduce Bhagavad Gita & Ramayana

Representative image

Kerala Welcomes Ramayana Masam: A month of devotion, reflection, and Mandir traditions

Karnataka: Hindu Man alleges forced conversion to Islam by Muslim wife Tahseen Hosamani in Gadag

Representative Image, Inset- Maoists' banner

Chhattisgarh: Maoists regrouping in smaller units, blending with locals to avoid detection amid intensified campaign

Baloch rebels launch devastating ambush on military bus in Kalat: Several Pakistani soldiers killed, media barred

Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham recited Hanuman Chalisa for the first time in the Parliament of London. (X)

Hanuman Chalisa echoes in British Parliament for the first time during Dhirendra Shastri’s historic visit

Representative image

CATS warrior UCAV nears takeoff: India set to test indigenous combat drone in 2026

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Image Credit- Firstspot

Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar announces free electricity for up to 125 units

Several MNS workers protest against Nagpur bank amid row over Hindi language in the state. (X)

Marathi vs Hindi Row Escalates: MNS workers storm Nagpur Bank after FIR in Marathi rejected for insurance claim

Violence in Bangladesh, 4 killed in firing as clashes erupt during NCP rally in Sheikh Hasina’s hometown

Gopalganj Burns: Bangladesh army opens fire during NCP rally, Hindu activist Deepto Saha shot dead

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
  • Refund and Cancellation
  • Delivery and Shipping

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies

  • Home
  • Search Organiser
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Defence
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Business
  • RSS in News
  • Entertainment
  • More ..
    • Sci & Tech
    • Vocal4Local
    • Special Report
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Law
    • Economy
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
  • Subscribe Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
  • Advertise
  • Circulation
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Refund and Cancellation
    • Terms of Use

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies