Bangalore: Considered a mentor of India's first nuclear blast at Pokhran in 1974, Dr Raja Ramanna has left an indelible imprint on India's nuclear programme.

And, on the other side of the multi-faceted personality of this renowned nuclear scientist, he could play piano as dexterously and passionately as he could speak of atomic energy.

Ramanna took to the nuclear field just around the time when architect of India's nuclear programme Dr Homi Bhabha was giving a shape to it.

Once in it, he never looked back in the area of his passion, where he rose to head the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, become Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.

He was also the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and was Minister of Defence from January to November in 1990.

But his moment of glory came during India's first nuclear explosion at Pokhran in 1974.

Music was something that was dear to his heart. Playing piano, which he said he started at the age of six, was a passion to him and he had given concerts also.

Not surprisingly, one of the two books he authored was on music -- "The Structure of Music in Raga and Western Systems".

The other book he wrote was "Years of Pilgrimage: An autobiography".

Ever active, he was the Director Emeritus of the Bangalore-based National Institute of Advanced Studies before he passed away.

He is survived by wife, two daughters and a son.