Kadri Gopalnath

Kalaimamani Kadri Gopalnath required nearly two decades to mold the saxophone to the demands of Indian classical music, yet his stature continued to expand. The London Times, in its account of one of his recitals, noted that "(Gopalnath's) soft, legato, flurries meshed perfectly in an unusual grouping of violin, Jew's harp and mridangam drum". The Illustrated Weekly Of India likewise declared that "(Gopalnath's) music would make a stone melt". Raised in a musical household, he first emulated his father on the nadhaswaram, an Indian wind instrument comparable to the clarinet, then devoted five years to vocal study in Mangalore. A decisive shift occurred after he encountered a brass-band concert in Mysore; captivated by its saxophone soloist, he resolved to master the instrument. With his father's support he apprenticed under that same player, Lakshi Narasimhaiah. Following his move to Madras in 1975, he refined his technique under T.V. Gopalakrishnan and, within two years, possessed sufficient command to give his debut recital. His initial major opportunity arose when he was asked to compose and perform for the soundtrack of the hit film Duet. Subsequent worldwide exposure brought engagements at jazz festivals in Berlin, Prague, France and Mexico. In 1994 he became the first South Indian classical musician invited to appear in the BBC Promenade concert.