Memories of Krishnaswami Ramachandran Azad

In memory of

Krishnaswami Ramachandran Azad

Denver, CO, USA

August 8, 1993 - May 20, 2021

Aug 8, 1993 - May 20, 2021

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Elyse Midgyett

Our church remembering Azad today. We played worship without drums.

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Sujatha Prakash

Crystal Frese

Hunter Rose

Comments:

Usha Subramanian

The symbolic silence of the drums finds an echo in all our bereft hearts. The symbolic silence of the drums finds an echo in all our bereft hearts. The symbolic silence of the drums finds an echo in ... Read more

Nithin Ravi

Hi everybody. Azad’s cousins here. We are trying to put together a tribute slideshow/video for Azad’s memorial service this Thursday 5/27. We would love some videos from his friends and loved ones. If there’s anything we know about Z, it’s that he’d want his funeral to be a celebration of his life. In that vein, we would love some 30 seconds (or less) video clips of his friends and loved ones talking about one fond/funny memory of Z. Try to keep it short, keep it positive, keep it sweet. I know it’s short notice, but we would need these video clips by Monday (tomorrow 5/24) night so we can splice them together by this Thursday. Please circulate this to anybody who would be interested! Here are some instructions:

1. record using your phone: funniest moment with Azad or a fond memory that captures his personality.

2. Send the video clip to me (Nithin Ravi) by email to ravi.nithin89@gmail.com, or text it by phone to 2487035217

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Ashwin Ravi

Sujatha Prakash

Hunter Rose

Comments:

Jacob Herman

I have a whole trove of photos and videos from his time playing in The Brothers of Brass as well. Also have... Read more I have a whole trove of photos and videos from his time playing in The Brothers of Brass as well. Also have some other photos ... Read more I have a whole trove of photos and videos from his ... Read more

Sanjay Dhawan

Hi Prakash and Sujata. Its been about 30 years since I have seen you both and still have fond memories of spending some good time together.

This is a hear breaking news and I can’t even fathom to imagine the pain that you must be going through. My prayers are for you and your families and deepest condolences.

Regards

Sanjay Dhawan
K-State 1990 Graduate Chem Engg

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Jess Harman

2013, Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant Lawrence, KS

My birthday dinner - Azad was at my birthday celebrations for like 5 years before he moved to Denver 💙

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emanuele filippi

high school band rehearsal

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Sujatha Prakash

Hunter Rose

Comments:

Sujatha Prakash

Emanuele, the video is unavailable. Emanuele, the video is unavailable. Emanuele, the video is unavailable.

Mani Subramanian

Shared a heart

Mani Subramanian

Our prayers and condolences for Sujatha and Krishnaswami family. I knew Azad as a kid and only recently followed his joy of music via facebook bestowing my blessings for him...as his dad Prakash blessed and guided me. RIP Azad, may you bless us all with Prakash from heaven and help us survive this pain.

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Sujatha Prakash

Chris Beers

He was genuine, funny, talented and completely sincere! I will miss our times at the drum school, hearing you play in the room next door and talking drums/music with your students. Rest in peace Azad. Unless of course, there is a drum set nearby:)
Much Love~

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Sujatha Prakash

Jennie Fay

Michelle Sherwin

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Kris Shankar

I did not know Azad, but was a friend to his wonderful parents Prakash and Sujatha when I was at KSU over 30 yrs ago. This is heartbreaking to hear, my thoughts are with Sujatha, Azad’s extended family and friends

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Sujatha Prakash

Kris Shankar

Shared a heart

Dan and Kathy Swenson

We did not witness just one act of kindness, Azad had kindness and joy in his whole being. We are grieving. Dan and Kathy

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In response to "What act of kindness did you witness from Krishnaswami Ramachandran?"

Sujatha Prakash

Ross Williams

Shared a heart

Ross Williams

This was when KR had just recently joined Wild Eye. We had been playing together for maybe 2 months and already the chemistry in the band was in a good place. KR had this rare ability to quickly understand and remember a song's arrangement, which made everything else just so much simpler. He created the arrangement for the intro to my song "Melancholy" which we closed with here (also his idea). His drumming on the song "Bits & Pieces" elevated it to a place only he could have envisioned. Same for "I Am Almost Gone". I don't think of those songs without drums anymore; his parts are essential.

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Hunter Rose

Sujatha Prakash

Jonny Trudeau

2017, Indianapolis, IN, USA

I had gone to KU School of Music when KR was a senior, and only interacted a couple of times. However, later in my time at KU I attended and performed along side him at PASIC with the KU West African Drum Ensemble, and I got to see the true person he is. Over many various performances, and over multiple beers at some Greatful Dead bar on the outskirts of Indy, I got to share laughs, stories, and thoughts on music and our philosophies on performance and education with him, and I don't believe I have ever met a kinder, calmer, civil, upbeat, and optimistic soul than KR Azad. Always having a smile on his face, always ready to help whoever needs it, and all around just a fantastic human being. I was shocked to hear the news of his passing yesterday and I send my condolences to all friends and family who were close, because you lost a truly wonderful spirit. Rest in peace my dude, maybe there will be a Greatful Dead bar on the other side that I'll catch you at somewhere down the road.

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Jennifer Gartner

Hunter Rose

Sujatha Prakash

Leslie Butsch

2016, The Granada, Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS, USA

Sharp 9 after opening for Lee Fields & the Expressions

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Hunter Rose

Sujatha Prakash

Sebastian Diegritz

Shared a heart

Tommy Strauser

I met KR in high school jazz camp at KU and we both later ended up in the School of Music at KU at the same time, periodically playing music together inside and out of school. I’m shocked and saddened to learn of his passing - he had an infectious energy and wit that made him a joy to be around and play music with.

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Sujatha Prakash

Max Levy

I had the honor of playing with Azad on a number of occasions, and enjoyed playing his original music. I’ll never forget him. He will be missed and I’m holding him and his family in my thoughts.

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Sujatha Prakash

Kathryn Fernandez

I met Azad working with him at School of Rock and when I first moved to Denver. He truly was the nicest, kindest, and most genuine person. His presence brightened the room and his laugh was infectious. I feel lucky to have known him and thankful for his friendship. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends.

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Sujatha Prakash

Brandon Draper

No words.... I’m in shock and disbelief.

I could write a novel on him.... 100% genuine 💔🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️

I will.

I intend to honor KR through my teaching and outreach. ❤️🥁

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Jennifer Gartner

Sujatha Prakash

Comments:

Brandon Draper

I’m heartbroken I’m heartbroken I’m heartbroken

Elizabeth Wheatley

Shared a heart

Elizabeth Wheatley

Azad kindly volunteered to play the violin at my wedding in 2013. That meant a lot to me and he played beautifully. We had met in high school and were in thespians together. Such a funny and kind soul. I’m so thankful to have known him. Lots of love to his family and loved ones.

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Sujatha Prakash

Crystal Wolf

Azad was one of my best friends during one of the most impactful periods of my life, from 2011-2015 throughout college. He was always there for me, no matter what I was going through, and I think he was truly the most reliable friend I had during that time.

After we graduated, we kept in touch briefly, until we each moved to separate cities. I can't express the regret and loss I feel now from knowing that I always expected to see him again no matter what we did with our lives. I can't count the amount of rainchecks on meeting up that I regret now that he isn't ever going to come back to KC.

We met in college at KU our Freshmen year and immediately became close friends. We would spend most of our free evenings in the dorm, hanging out and being silly. Many of my memories of Azad come from staying up 24 hours straight together in the Hashinger lobby and getting breakfast together the next morning, building a 20 foot high snowman together, and ultimately being annoying to everyone in our dormitory. Once we left the dorms, though, we remained friends and I can't think of a stronger connection I had to another person in Lawrence.

The coffee shop Java Break in Lawrence will forever remind me of Azad because of the amount of times we met up at midnight to get a cup of coffee and talk during our insomniac lives. Azad always had a free pass to show up at my apartment without warning on any given evening to join in on whatever I was doing at the time, and my roommates had to learn to adapt to this. I can't count the number of times Azad would come over, make us laugh, play music whether or not we had instruments, and compel me to be better in my life.

Azad was a fellow percussionist and we always had this in common. We would always start beat boxing, drumming on furniture, or making whatever noise we could in jest, and then play out an entire song together. He gave me the confidence to join a drum ensemble at KU simply because I wanted to play music with him.

The way Azad and I became friends was always memorable, even between us. We first started hanging out after a "first floor" dorm meeting, where a fellow hall-mate mentioned something about a family owned horse, and Azad and I both made the same extremely inappropriate and absurd joke at the exact same time. From there, we would spend the next 5+ years together making worse jokes, coming up with elaborate alternate Frogger universes, and ultimately humiliating ourselves to each other without shame.

Azad is truly one of the best friends I've ever had, one of the funniest people I've ever met, and one of the only people I felt completely comfortable being around no matter what was happening in either of our lives. I can't express how much I wish we'd been in contact more recently, and how much I will miss him in years to come.

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