Renowned Sugama Sangeetha exponent C. Ashwath (70) passed away at a private hospital here at Bangalore this morning, on 29th December 2009. Incidentally, today was Ashwath's birthday.

He was ailing from kidney - related problems for sometime and was undergoing medical treatment for the past two weeks.

Born on December 29, 1939 at Chennarayapatna in Hassan district, he graduated in science from Bangalore University.

He had retired as Executive Engineer in 1992 after serving for 27 years at the Indian Telephone Industry.

He received music lessons from Devagiri Shankar Rao Joshi and entered music field through Kakanakote film. He breathed life into Kannada folk songs and made name as a Sugama Sangeetha exponent. Ashwath had produced more than 75 music albums. His more famous CDs are Mysooru Mallige, Shravana and Deepika. He had rendered the compositions of Shishunala Sheriff and presented concerts abroad on many occasions. The programme Kannadave Satya was very popular among his innumerable fans.

The mortal remains of Ashwath was kept at Ravindra Kalakshetra for enabling his admirers and fans to pay their last respects, before moving to his NR Colony residence. Cremation will take place at Banashankari crematorium this evening.

Siddharamaiah, leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Tayur Vittalamurthy, Kannada activist, Sadananda of Dr. Rajkumar Fans Association and other dignitaries have condoled his death.

May His Soul Rest in Peace

Courtesy: Star of Mysore