The Hindu : President condoles musician's death

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 03, 2002

National

National

President condoles musician's death

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI April 2. The President, K.R.Narayanan, today condoled the death of Carnatic musician, K.V.Narayanaswamy. In his passing away, the country had lost a distinguished icon of classical music, the President said in a message.

Mr. Narayanan noted that Narayanaswamy was hailed as one of the finest musicians of the country, who enriched the tradition of classical music through his scintillating performances. "In spite of his old age and indifferent health, his melodious voice enthralled his audience and music lovers''.

The President recalled one of Narayanaswamy's last performances at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 26. "I had the pleasure of listening to his enchanting songs in Rashtrapati Bhavan and receiving a copy of his biography''.

Mr. Narayanan also expressed the hope that Narayanaswamy's numerous disciples and well-wishers, who constituted his rich legacy, would help perpetuate his memory.

"His enduring contributions to the enrichment of classical music in our country will be long remembered by future generations'', he added.

Narayanaswamy died in Chennai on Monday after a brief illness.

Born in Palakkad in November 1923, Kollengode Viswanatha Narayanaswamy, who hailed from a musicians' family, was first trained under his father, `Fiddle' Viswanatha Bhagavathar, and later under the mridangam exponent, Palaghat Mani, C.S. Krishna Iyer and Papa Venkataramiah.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National