Post Updated: October 25, 2026
The culinary world woke up to heartbreaking news today. Padma Shri awardee and beloved television chef Dr. K. Damodharan, known to millions as Chef Damu, passed away in Chennai at the age of 72. He had been receiving treatment at Apollo Hospital for health complications. Fans who grew up watching him smile through every dish on Cooku with Comali are left stunned. Beyond the records and awards, many are now asking about the private side of the man — especially his children and the family that stood behind the public smile.
Table of Contents
Who Was Chef Damu? His Journey and Achievements
Chef Damu was never just a television personality. Born Damodharan Kothandaraman on September 3, 1954, in Tamil Nadu, he started at the bottom — washing dishes in hotel kitchens before rising through the ranks. He became the first Indian chef to earn a PhD in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the University of Madras in 2004.
In 2010 he set a Guinness World Record by cooking 617 dishes in 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds. Last year the Government of India recognised decades of work with the Padma Shri. On screen he was the warm, quick-witted “Damu Appa” on Cooku with Comali, the judge who made cooking feel approachable and fun. Off screen he authored cookbooks, trained young chefs and quietly promoted traditional South Indian flavours to a wider audience.
Chef Damu’s Family: Meet His Wife and Children
While Chef Damu kept his personal life largely away from the cameras, those close to him know how central family was. He was married to Usha Damu. Together they raised two daughters: Renuka Praveen and Akshaya Dhamu (also referred to as Akshayaa).
Akshaya has appeared in a few interviews and shared warm memories of her father. She described him as playful even with children, someone who brought the same energy home that audiences saw on television. Renuka has stayed more private. In earlier years Chef Damu occasionally shared family photographs, once captioning a post with “my lovely children Renuka Praveen and Akshaya Dhamu.” Those rare glimpses showed a proud father who valued quiet moments with his daughters as much as any award.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. K. Damodharan (Chef Damu) |
| Age at Passing | 72 |
| Date of Birth | September 3, 1954 |
| Wife | Usha Damu |
| Children | Renuka Praveen, Akshaya Dhamu |
| Place of Passing | Chennai (Apollo Hospital) |
| Key Honours | Padma Shri (2025), Guinness World Record (2010) |
How Fans and Industry Are Remembering the Culinary Icon
Social media filled quickly with tributes. Fellow chefs, Cooku with Comali cast members and ordinary home cooks shared memories of his humour, patience and genuine love for food. Many recalled how he once addressed earlier health rumours in August 2026 with a calm video message, assuring fans he was fine after a leg injection. That honesty only made today’s news harder to accept.
Colleagues pointed to his long journey — from kitchen helper to national award winner — as proof that skill and consistency still matter. Viewers remembered the small things: the way he tasted a dish with concentration, the easy laughter with comedians on set, and the quiet pride he took in traditional recipes.
Chef Damu’s Enduring Legacy in Indian Cuisine
Chef Damu leaves more than television clips and record certificates. He showed that Indian home cooking could be both professional and joyful. He proved a chef from Tamil Nadu could earn academic respect and national recognition. Most importantly, he made people believe that good food starts with care — whether in a hotel kitchen or a family home.
His daughters now carry private memories of a father who balanced public fame with ordinary family life. The rest of us keep the public ones: the record-breaking marathon, the Padma Shri, and the countless episodes where he made cooking feel like conversation rather than competition.
Conclusion
Today the kitchen feels a little quieter. Chef Damu’s passing at 72 closes a remarkable chapter in Tamil and Indian culinary history. While the awards and the Guinness record will be listed in every tribute, the real measure of the man may be found in the simpler places — the recipes he shared, the students he guided, and the two daughters who knew him as Appa long before the rest of us called him Chef Damu.
Rest in peace. Your work continues every time someone cooks with the same care and warmth you showed for decades.