Saxophone exponent Kadri Gopalnath passed away on Friday, at 69 due to age-related illness.The classical music pioneer is known for introducing the jazz instrument into Carnatic music.
According to a report in The Hindu, born in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada, Gopalnath took to saxophone when he was 8.The music maestro shot to cinematic fame after he collaborated with A R Rahman for Tamil blockbuster film Duet (1994). He was the first Carnatic musician to have performed at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London.
He was honoured with Padma Shri in 2004. Gopalnath has also received several other accolades including Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and the Karnataka Kalashree. He has performed at the Jazz Festival in Prague, the Berlin Jazz Festival, the International Cervantino Festival in Mexico, and the Music Hall Festival in Paris.
