Bangalore :

Legendary Karnatak vocalist R.K. Srikantan passed away at a private hospital in Seshadripuram yesterday night. He was 94.

His son R.K. Kumar said that Srikantan was admitted to the hospital on Friday due to congestion in the lungs and low blood pressure which further deteriorated his condition. He passed away yesterday night at 9 pm, he added.

He leaves behind his wife, two sons and five daughters. The singer had gone to Hyderabad to give a performance about 15 days ago and had developed complications, including lung infection soon after his return.

On Jan. 14, the doyen turned 94 and his birthday celebrations had seen the release of a biography, “Voice of a Generation.”

Born to Rudrapatna Krishna Shastry and Sannakka on Jan.14, 1920, at Rudrapatna in Hassan, Srikantan lost his mother when he was two-years-old. His father brought him up and trained him in Karnatak music and most of his early training happened on the banks of River Cauvery. His performance was a must at all functions of the Wadiyar Kings. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was his fan. He was decorated with over 50 National and State awards, including the Padma Bhushan (1995) and Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Akademy award (1981). Srikantan, on Sept. 3, 2013 was presented with Chembai Swamy Puraskaram by legendary singer K. J. Yesudas.

His daughter Ratnamala Prakash is an accomplished Sugama Sangeetha singer. He has set to tune poems of litterateurs Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, Kuvempu, Adiga, P.T. Narasimhachar, Kuvempu, Da. Ra. Bendre and DVG; and several vachanas.

Describing Srikantan as a legend, vocalist R.K. Padmanabha said: “Even at the ripe age of 94, he was able to give concerts. He was a perfect vocalist and a great sadhaka.”

The funeral will be held today.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / February 18th, 2014