Mumbai: Legendary Carnatic musician Uppalapu Srinivas – better known as Mandolin Srinivas for his instrument – breathed his last at around 9.30 am in Chennai on Friday. He was 45. Srinivas was hospitalised due to liver problems.
The news has shocked the music industry across India. He shot to fame at an early age and was considered a child prodigy.
Srinivas was born on Ferbruary 28, 1969 in Palakol, Andhra Pradesh. He started playing the mandolin at the age of 6. He won numerous prestigious awards for his contribution to the world of music, and even shared the stage with a few international artists.
He won the Padma Shri in 1998 and has collaborated with John MchLaughlin and Zakir Hussain. He also performed along Miles Davis in the West Berin Jazz Festival in 1983.
Celebrities took to Twitter to conver their condolences:
We've lost a wonderful human being and a legend 'mandolin srinivas'. Pt. U.srinivas RIP. Prayers ..
— salim merchant (@salim_merchant) September 19, 2014Emotionally shaken to hear of Carnatic shining star Mandolin Shrinivasji's demise... May God bless him with happiness in the next world...
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) September 19, 2014The Prime Minister expressed grief on the passing away of renowned musician Shri Uppalapu Shrinivas.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 19, 2014The musical world has lost a real gem. RIP Mandolin Srinivas.
— Shekhar Ravjiani (@ShekharRavjiani) September 19, 2014Watch: Performance of young U. Shrinivas accompanied on the violin by Kanyakumari.
Watch: John Mclaughlin,U Srinivas,Zakir Hussain,V Selvaganesh,Mahadevan- Jazz a Vienne
