Legendary Saxophone Player Kadri Gopalanath Passes Away At 69

Mumbai: Famous saxophone player Kadri Gopalanath died in a hospital in Mangalore, Karnataka on Friday morning. The 69-year-old musician was considered a pioneer of Carnatic music on the saxophone. He was ill for the last three months and was hospitalized on Thursday night.

Gopalnath was not only a well-known name in the field of music, but he was honoured with many prestigious awards including Padma Shri. He took the first saxophone classes from his father Thaniappa, whom he considered his mentor. Later, after his father moved out, he learned Carnatic music from Ustad N. Gopalakrishna Iyer.

Many titles and honours had come his way, the most cherished being the Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Sringeri Sharadha Peetam, Sri Ahobila Mutt and Sri Pillayarpatti Temple. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004.

Gopalnath had the distinction of being the first Carnatic musician to be invited in the BBC Promenade concert in 1994, in the Royal Albert Hall at London. The Asian Music Circuit, U.K, sponsored his recital.

Among his other distinctions are: Saxophone Charkravarthy, Saxophone Samrat, Ganakala Shree, Nadapasana Brahma, Sunada Prakashika, Nada Kalarathna, Nada Kalanidhi, Sangeetha Vadya Rathna, Karnataka Kalashree in 1996, Vocational Excellency Award from the Rotary of Madras, Tamil Nadu State Award “Kalaimamani” and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 1998.

He received an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University in 2004.

Gopalanath is survived by his wife and three children – one of them a popular musician and singer named Manikanth Qadri. The funeral of the saxophone magician will take place after his son who works in Kuwait returns to Mangalore.

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