MANGALURU, October 11, 2019: Noted saxophone exponent Kadri Gopalnath passed away at a private hospital here early on Frday, October 11. 2019.
He was 69 and was ailing for some time. His name was a synonym with saxophone in the country.
A Padmashree awardee, Gopalnath is survived by his wife Sarojini and two sons, Manikanth Kadri who is a noted music director, Guruprasad Kadri, who is now in Kuwait, and a daughter Ambika Mohan.
One of the pioneers of Carnatic music on the saxophone in the country he had the distinction of being the first Carnatic musician to be invited in the BBC Promenade concert in the Royal Albert Hall at London in 1994.
Mr. Gopalnath was born in Mittakere in Sajeepa Mooda village in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada on December 6, 1949.
Mr. Gopalnath has performed in many places across the world including in Europe, United States, Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, and West Asia.
Mangalore and Bangalore universities had conferred him their honorary doctorates. A winner of Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy Award and a number of other awards his was a household name especially in South India.
Last rites are likely to be done on Saturday, October 12, 2019.
