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Kadri Gopalnath | |
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 Kadri Gopalnath performing at Pillayarpatti | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1949-12-06)6 December 1949 |
| Died | 11 October 2019(2019-10-11) (aged 69) Mangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Genres | Indian classical music,film music,jazz fusion |
| Occupation | Saxophonist |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1957–2019 |
_by_the_President_Dr._A.P.J_Abdul_Kalam_in_New_Delhi_on_October_26%2c_2004.jpg)
Kadri Gopalnath (6 December 1949 – 11 October 2019) was an Indianalto saxophonist and one of the pioneers ofCarnatic music for that instrument.
Born in a Tulu speaking Jogi community of Sajeepa Mooda village inBantwal taluk ofDakshina Kannada to Taniyappa (aNaadaswaravidwan) and Gangamma,[1] Gopalnath was inspired to learn the saxophone as a child after hearing it played by theMysore Palace band set,[2] although he took nearly 20 years to master the complexities of the western wind instrument. He was eventually crowned the "Saxophone Chakravarthy".[3]
Gopalnath learnt to play karnatic music on the saxophone from N. Gopalakrishna Iyer of Kalaniketan,Mangalore. He presented his first concert in the All India Radio, Mangaluru in 1978.[1] InMadras, Gopalnath came in contact with the vocalist andmridangist guruT.V. Gopalkrishnan, who identified the youngster's potential and tutored him.
Gopalnath had to make certain modifications to the conventionalalto saxophone to playCarnatic music. So successful was this adaptation that the great musicianSemmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, thedoyen ofCarnatic music, acknowledged Kadri Gopalnath as a true Carnatic music genius.
His maiden live performance was for theChembai Memorial Trust. The 1980 BombayJazz Festival was a turning point for Gopalnath.John Handy, a jazz musician from California was present at the festival. Hearing Gopalnath play, Handy asked if he could go on stage and perform alongside him. So well did the two mesh, Handy in the jazz style and Gopalnath in the Carnatic style, that it became an instant hit with the audience.[2] Gopalnath has participated in the Jazz Festival in Prague, theBerlin Jazz Festival, theInternational Cervantino Festival in Mexico, the Music Hall Festival in Paris, the BBC Promenade concert in 1994 at London, and has toured all over the world.
He cut many albums and recorded a number of cassettes and CDs. Together with jazz flautistJames Newton, he recordedSouthern Brothers. His production called 'East-West' is an audio-video presentation that, as the title suggests, is a fusion of Western and Indian music. This album took 6 months to produce and has compositions fromSaint Tyagaraja,Beethoven and the like.
In 2005, Gopalnath began a collaboration with American saxophonist and composerRudresh Mahanthappa, which resulted in the 2008 albumKinsmen (Pi Recordings) and supporting US tour.
Gopalnath was also a famed teacher, having taught many prominent saxophonists around the world.
Gopalnath died on 11 October 2019 due to cardiac arrest at the age of 69 at a private hospital inMangalore.[4] He was ailing for a long time before his death, and could not attend many concerts. His dead body was taken to ancestral village on 13 October, and was cremated there with full state honours. He is survived by his wife Sarojini and three children, among whom, his younger sonManikanth Kadri, is also a professional musician and music director.
Gopalnath was presented with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award for Carnatic Music – Instrumental (Saxophone), by PresidentA. P. J. Abdul Kalam, in New Delhi on 26 October 2004.
Many titles and honours had come his way, the most cherished being the Asthana Vidwan ofSri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam,Sri Sringeri Sharadha Peetam,Sri Ahobila Mutt andSri Pillayarpatti Temple. He was awarded thePadma Shri in 2004.[5]
Gopalnath had the distinction of being the first Carnatic musician to be invited in theBBC Promenade concert in 1994, in the Royal Albert Hall at London. TheAsian 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 fromBangalore University in 2004.
The 2008 albumBlue Rhizome by the New Quartet features a tribute to the saxophonist called "Gopalnath" (composed byKarl E. H. Seigfried).
He received theSangeetha Kalasikhamani award for the year 2013 given by The Indian Fine arts Society, Chennai.
He received theKamban Pugazh award for the year 2018 given by All Ceylon Kamban Society, Sri Lanka.
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