Karnataka: Noted saxophone exponent Kadri Gopalnath passes away at 69

Kadri Gopalnath, who introduced saxophone to Carnatic music, passed away at a private hospital in Mangaluru. He was 69 and was ailing for some time

Mangaluru: Padmashree awardee, saxophone exponent Kadri Gopalnath passed away at a private hospital on Friday (October 11). He was 69 and was ailing for some time. 

The last rites are expected to take place after one of his sons, who works in Kuwait returns to India on Friday evening. He was survived by his two sons and wife.

Gopalnath introduced saxophone to Carnatic music. He received several awards including Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and Karnataka Kalasri among others. He received Padma Shri from then-President APJ Abdul Kalam in 2004.

He gained popularity after he played the saxophone for music composer AR Rahman for the Tamil movie Duet. Mourning the death of Kadri Gopalnath, Rahman tweeted, “Another Master gone too soon RIP #kadrigopalnath.”

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa has condoled the death Kadri Gopalanath. "He successfully adapted a foreign instrument like saxophone to our Indian classical music and entertained connoisseurs with his enchanting performances. In his death the world of music has lost a great musician," Yediyurappa said in his message.