Abel V John, participating in the guitar competition at the School Kalolsavam, performed on Saturday unaware of his guru's demise. 

In fact, everyone who accompanied Abel took care to ensure that he did not hear the news till his performance was over. They even prevented him from checking the phone during this time.

Finally, when his item was over, Abel was informed that his guitar teacher, G K Raju, of Ayathil in Kollam, had passed away on Friday night. During his journey from Alappuzha to Thiruvananthapuram early on Saturday with his mother and uncle, Abel, a plus-two student at RVSM HSS, Prayar, had enquired about Raju. However, Abel’s co-trainer, Livinath Sarangi, told him that Raju would be there at the Kalolsavam venue.

Abel learnt the news of his trainer’s demise while returning home after securing a ‘B’ grade in the state-level competition on Saturday night. Even though Abel wished to offer his last respects to Raju, he could not do so as his teacher’s cremation took place on Saturday evening.

Abel, son of Vinod John, an ex-serviceman and Selin, a teacher residing at Peace Cottage, Krishnapuram in Kayamkulam, had trained under Raju for several years at Saranga School of Music at Ochira in Kollam. Raju, a guitarist with the Track music band, used to regularly visit the music school to guide Abel.

Incidentally, Raju was also scheduled to perform at a musical event at Sri Mulam Club in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.