Vataranyam Balakrishnan

A gentle and beautiful Light has merged with the Universal Light, Pure Consciousness. Our beloved father, Vataranyam Balakrishnan, known by many as Ambi Mama, transitioned peacefully in his sleep on the evening of September 20, 2025. He taught us by example that a peaceful mind fosters a peaceful and contented life. He is survived by his two sons, Ramesh and Suresh, Suresh's wife Vilasini, and his two sisters, Rajalakshmi Aiyer in Coimbatore and Leela Murthy in Houston. Ambi Mama was born in 1925 in Maymyo, Myanmar (formerly Burma) to S.V. Aiyer and Ammani Ammal. He lived in many major metro areas, including Chennai, Pune, Bangalore, New Delhi, London, Cincinnati, Washington, D.C. area, and Houston. Trained as an Engineer, his career as an officer in the Indian Army took him to interesting places in India and the United Kingdom. After retirement from the army, he worked as an engineer on infrastructure projects to rebuild from cyclones in Andhra Pradesh and other parts of India. His next adventure took him to the United States with his wife and our mother, Dr. Kamala Balakrishnan, who was a prominent immunologist and was invited in 1978 by the University of Cincinnati to move to the United States. They also lived in Maryland for many years and then moved to Sugar Land, Texas. In 2018, upon the passing of our mother, he moved to the historic city of St. Augustine in Florida to live with Suresh and Vilasini, and recently said that he enjoyed the quiet, ease of living, and sunny weather in St. Augustine the best. Until his stroke in 2022, he thoroughly enjoyed communicating with friends and family by email. Many friends mentioned that he would enquire about their interests and then send engaging articles pertinent to their interests! He also advised Mitra Jyoti in India and the National Federation for the Blind in the United States on issues concerning technology accessibility for the blind. Ambi Mama was full of intelligence and integrity and lived the highest dharmic values. He inspired all he met with his generous and sattvic disposition. It was wonderful that we were able to celebrate his 100th birthday with a gathering of family and friends in St. Augustine on September 1st! Everyone knew him as someone with a sweet and even temperament who was always concerned and caring about others and the world. He will be greatly missed. A gentle Light has merged with Universal Consciousness. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 22: As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, likewise, at the time of death, the embodied Self casts off its worn-out body and enters a new one. Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Arunachala Ramanaya!