A song that continues to remain etched in our memories, "Ovvoru Pookalume" from director Cheran's 2004 film, Autograph, was sung by M.J.C. Comagan, a visually-impaired singer, who passed away in Chennai on Thursday due to COVID-19 related complications. He was 48 and is survived by his wife and two children. It is being reported that Comagan had been hospitalized 12 days ago after testing positive for COVID-19. The founder of the Raaga Priya orchestra, Comagan, along with his visually-impaired crew had appeared in the Ovvoru Pookalume song, which was picturized on actress Sneha singing along. Taking to Twitter, Cheran said that Mr. Comagan was a person who always instilled a sense of belief and confidence through his voice and mind. The National Award-winning director wrote, "For the 25 members of his troupe and their families, he was their eyes. My heart is broken upon hearing the news of his demise."

வார்த்தைகள் இல்லை... மனதிலும் குரலிலும் முழுக்க தன்னம்பிக்கை கொண்ட மனிதர்... அவருடைய குழுவில் உள்ள 25 குடும்பங்களுக்கு கண்களாக விளங்கியவர்.. காலையில் எழுந்ததும் கேள்விப்பட்ட இந்த செய்தி நெஞ்சை நொறுக்கியது..
கோமகனின் ஆன்மா அமைதி கொள்ளட்டும்.. pic.twitter.com/UrF3xebRO3

— Cheran (@directorcheran) May 6, 2021

Comagan founded Raaga Priya in 1991 with nine members and in due course of time, it became a 25-member orchestra. Among their big achievements, the group gave a 16-hour non-stop performance with 183 songs in 1999, paving the way for their entry into the Limca Book of World Records. Over the years, the popular troupe has done more than 3,000 light music shows, while also performing at fundraising events, with the Tamil Nadu government felicitating them with the State Award in 2006. Comagan has also made appearances in a few notable Tamil films like Kannukkulle and Sura, while also composing the music for Muthal Muthalai in 2007. Although Raaga Priya had been performing before the COVID-19 pandemic, the troupe have been conducting online classes over the past one year. Comagan too is said to have been taking vocal and instrumental classes. The news of Comagan's death has come as a big loss to the entertainment industry and Galatta offers its deepest condolences for the bereaved family.