Chennai, Dec 20 : The Police today denied reports that Popular Carnatic Vocalist Nithyashree Mahadevan attempted a suicide bid after hearing that her Engineer-husband jumped to death this afternoon.

Police sources dismissed reports of any suicide bid by the 39-year-old Vocalist as rumours. "She is fine and in a state of shock (following her husband Mahadevan's death)," police said, quoting family members. As a large contingent of media started converging in front of her residence at Kotturpuram with various TV Channels flashing news that she attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills after hearing about her hubby's death, one of the family members came out and said "Nithyashree is fine." Nithyashree is the grand daughter of famous Carnatic Vocalist D K Pattammal. Earlier at around 1300 hrs, Nithyashree's husband Mahadevan (44) committed suicide by jumping into the Adyar river from the Kotturpuram Road Overbridge, which was located close to their house.

Reports said following a domestic quarrel between the couple, Mahadevan left the home in a huff stating that he was going to re-charge the car battery. When the car reached the Kotturpuram bridge, he asked the driver to stop it. Mahadevan then got out of the car, climbed the small parapet wall and ended his life by jumping into the river. While one version was that Mahadevan, employed in a Central government firm, was against Nithyashree continuing her music concerts and wanted her to quit it.

As the annual Margazhi Music Fest has commenced in the city, she had been getting continuous concerts. She is also scheduled to participate in a concert today. However, family sources denied that there were differences between the couple and said Mahadevan was psychologically upset ever since his mother passed away in April this year. The family attribute this as the reason for Mahadevan taking the extreme step.

- Agencies