Chennai, Sep 19 (PTI) Renowned mandolin exponent Uppalapu Srinivas, who took the Carnatic music world by storm in the late seventies as a child prodigy, died on Friday following liver-related illness at the age of 45.
Srinivas, popularly known as ‘Mandolin’ Srinivas, breathed his last at a private hospital here in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Friday morning.
A child prodigy, Srinivas gave his first public performance at the age of nine and grew into a much-sought after personality among fans in the Carnatic music world.
The musician, a recipient of various awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri and Sangeet Ratna, used to play electric mandolin and collaborated with several global artistes including John McLaughlin, Michael Nyman, Michael Brook, Trey Gunn and Nigel Kennedy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Srinivas’ demise.
“PM recalled the Mandolin Maestro’s dedication & long-standing contribution towards music & added that he will always be remembered,” Modi’s official Twitter handle, @PMOIndia said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa credited Srinivas with introducing the musical instrument of mandolin to the people.
Paying rich tributes to Srinivas, she said Srinivas won people’s hearts with his renditions.
“His demise is a big loss to the world of Carnatic music.
None can fill the void created by his passing away,” she said in a statement.
Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, Oscar-winner A R Rahman and singer Sonu Nigam expressed shock over the untimely death of mandolin great.
“I got to know today today that Srinivas is more. I am very sad to hear that. When he was 14-year-old, I saw his performance on TV. He used to play Indian classical music brilliantly. It was quite tough to play classical music on mandolin… May his soul rest in peace,” Mangeshkar posted on Twitter.
“Emotionally shaken to hear of Carnatic shining star Mandolin Shrinivasji’s demise.. May God bless him with happiness in the next world,” Rahman said.
Nigam tweeted, “The great mandolin exponent U Shrinivas is no more unfortunately. Was going through a liver transplant.
Improved apparently. But succumbed tragically. RIP.”
Oscar-winning sound technician, Resul Pookutty, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, tabla-maestro Zakir Hussain, musician Shankar Mahadevan and many others condoled his death on social networking platforms.