From Nagaswara to Saxophone: The musical journey of Kadri Gopalanath

A voice of saxophone has come to an end today. As a renowned saxophonist, the journey of Kadri Gopalanath has come to its end. Mr Gopalanath breathed his last at a private hospital in Mangaluru on the morning of Friday.

The honour of converting saxophone, which is a western musical instrument into a completely Indian instrument goes to Mr Gopalanath. Originally being a Nagaswara musician, his journey of becoming the emperor of the world of saxophone is beyond mere words of appreciation.

Gopalanath was born on Dec 11, 1948 at Mittakere in Sajipa village of Dakshina Kannada district. His mother was Gangamma and father was a renowned nagaswara musician Taniyappa. Since childhood, Gopalanath grew up in the house surrounded with music. His father was his first teacher from whom he learnt and became an ace nagaswara musician.

From nagaswara to saxophone

Gopalanath who was enjoying his existence as a nagaswara musician was drawn towards saxophone when he was in Mysuru. Inspired by the saxophonist in the band set at Mysuru palace, he made up his mind to learn this new instrument.

After a difficult yet continuous practice for 20 years, he mastered the instrument. Along with Gopalakrishna Ayyar, he crafted the carnatic music into the saxophone.

Later, he reached the height of achievement through his closeness with T V Gopalakrishan from Chennai.

A programme conducted in Bombay during the 1980’s boosted Kadri Gopalanth into the international level. The programme in question was the Jazz festival conducted here where he gave his performance. Surprised and impressed by the talent of Gopalanath, a California based Jazz musician Jhon Handy invited Gopalanath to do a duet with him. The duet by Jhon Handy and Kadri Gopalanth gained much appreciation. Later, he shined through his performance at various jazz concerts throughout the world including Berlin, Paraguay, Mexico, Paris and BBC concert London.

Kadri Gopalanth has played the saxophone for a tamil movie directed by K Balachandra. His ‘Kalyanavasthanam Raag’ for the music produced by A R Rehman became a major hit amongst the people and consequently, he found it hard to travel in public transportation due to the appreciation he received from the public.

Gopalanath has also gone on several world tours along with international artists spreading the pleasure of his music to various countries including USA< Switzerland, Mexico, London, Germany, Singapore, Bahrain, Qatar, Muscat and Australia among others.

Gopalanath has received multiple honours and titles including awards from the Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Sringeri Sharadha Peetam, Sri Ahobila Mutt and Sri Pillayarpatti Temple, honorary doctorate from Bangalore University, Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award from The Indian Fine arts Society, Chennai, and Kamban Pugazh award from All Ceylon Kamban Society, Sri Lanka and Padmashri from the government of India, to name a few.

Renowned music director Manikant Kadri is his son. He was suffering from some health problem since some time and breathed his last at a private hospital in Mangaluru on Friday October 11^th. His final rites will be conducted at his house at Padavinangady.

Kadri Gopalanath, who achieved world renown by giving the Indian beauty to a western music is no longer amongst us, but his achievement is eternal.