An interview with Shri Kadri Gopalnath

I entered Shri Kadri Gopalnath’s residence in Gopalapuram, Chennai, and wondered if I had really entered a house or a temple. It was maintained so well that you could feel peace with yourself. To try to praise him is like carrying sand to the beach, for he is so well known. His concerts all over the world have earned him a place in the hearts of music lovers. After a formal talk, we proceeded with the interview.

Sir, could you please tell us about yourself and your family?

 I was born in Panemangalore in Dakshina Kanada in 1950. My father was Thaniappa and mother Gangamma. Basically my father was a Nadaswaram vidwan. But somehow I got interested in Saxophone, may be it was due to God’s grace (laughing). I got married when I was 24-years-old. Sarojini, my wife is a schoolteacher, and we have two sons and a daughter.

How did you get interested to this instrument for it is basically a Western instrument?

You are right. It is a Western instrument and it is mostly used in band troupes and jazz. I got impressed when I heard the sound of this instrument in the Mysore band. I had my first sight of the instrument then and later I gathered a few tips from the bandmaster. Then I started developing on my own and now I can play Carnatic, Jazz, Western and so on. I would like to thank my gurus Shri. Gopalkrishna Iyer of Kalaniketan, Mangalore, and Shri. T.V. Gopalakrishnan, for the support and encouragement they gave me especially during my early days.

Could you tell us about your first concert and response?

My first concert was for the Chembai Memorial Trust. The response was very good.

Your unforgettable concert?

All are unforgettable. Each and every concert is new to me, as I approach it in a new fashion. This is the secret of my success.

How do you feel about Tamilnadu and the Tamil people?

It was simply great. I like the culture and attitudes of the Tamilians.

Could you please tell us about the awards that you have received?

First I am proud to say that I am an Asthana Vidwan for Shree Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Shree Sharada Shringeri Peetam and Shree Akobli Mutt. The titles received by me are - Tamilnadu State Award, Karnataka State Award, Saxophone Chakravarthy, Saxophone Samrat, Gaanakalashree, Nadopasana Brahma, Sunaada Prakashika and International Fame Saxophone Maestro.

You play for films too. Do you see any difference?

Yes. My first film was Duet. The music for that film was by A.R. Rehman and K. Balachandar directed it. It was a wonderful experience, for it was different. It showed my talent to everyone, because the media is big. Recently I played for A. R. Rehman for the movie Sangamam. This media gives me more popularity and I would like to thank those responsible for it. Rasikas ask me to play these songs in the concerts too.

What are your hobbies apart from Music?

I like Cricket very much and I watch all the matches. I decorate my pooja room with lots of flowers, particularly for my mother Goddess Bhuvaneshwari.

What would you like to achieve further?

By God’s grace I have achieved a lot. I still feel that I have to prove that music is above any language, race and religion. This is because I have given concerts all over the world, in Temples and Churches. People ask me to give concerts in Mosques too and I am ready to do so.

What would you like to tell your Rasikas?

Learn music, because it helps you to increase your concentration and also calms you. It develops Bhakthi in your heart and nurtures good habits in you.

It was a great pleasure talking to Shri Kadri Gopalnath. His great achievement in recent times was that he founded a trust called Carnatic Musician Kargil Relief Fund Trust and organised a day concert with almost all the popular artists. He collected around Rs.6 lakhs and handed it over to the Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi. The entire programme was recorded in a cassette by HMV. The royalty from the cassette sales is to reach the Ministry of Defence in the future.

G. Venkatasubramanian