Channarayapatna Ashwath (; 29 December 1939 – 29 December 2009) was an Indian music composer and exponent of Bhavageete ("expressive poetry") in the Kannada language. He was also a singer, and sang many of his own compositions. He was credited with singing Bhavageete songs in a manner that made them accessible to the common man.
Early life and education He was born on 29 December 1939, in Channarayapatna near Devanahalli. He was born into a family rich in traditional and cultural influences. He grew up in the Chamarajpete area of Bangalore. After completing his higher education in Acharaya Pathashala School of NR Colony, he graduated in Science from National College, Basavanagudi and later worked in Indian Telephone Industries for 27 years before retiring as an Executive Engineer in 1992. He started his musical career as a disciple of Devagiri Shankara Joshi in Hindustani music.
Movies The first film he independently scored music was Kakana Kote. Later followed Chinnari Mutha, Santha Shishunala Sharief, Mysoora Mallige, Kotreshi Kanasu, Nagamandala and few other films in Kannada.
Some of his notable compositions include the composition of music for Mysooru Mallige – a classic work of noted poet K.S. Narasimhaswamy and his compositions of Kannada saint Santa Shishunala Sharifa's works.
L. Vaidyanathan met C. Ashwath during the recording of the film Kakana Kote in 1976. This meeting led them on to a strong relationship of almost three decades. L. Vaidyanathan provided the orchestra for many of Ashwath's compositions, but it was with the film Yene Barali Preeti Irali that the Ashwath-Vaidi duo became collaborators of great music.
Anupama (Olume Poojegende, Bartaale Bartaale, etc.) Aalemane (Nammoora Mandaara Hoove) Kaanchana Mruga (ee savidina endendu) Baadada Hoo (Hoova Nodu Aaaha Entha) Bhoolokadalli Yamaraaja (Endoo kaanada belaka kande) Narada Vijaya (Idu entha lokavayya)
Discography
Films Year Film title Notes 1977 Kakana Kote Arrangement by L. Vaidyanathan 1977 Anuroopa Guest composer along with Rajeev Taranath 1978 Lakshmi Unreleased film 1978 Spandana Arrangement by L. Vaidyanathan Won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director 1979 Bhoolokadalli Yamaraja 1979 Doddamane Estate 1979 Ene Barali Preethi Irali Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1980 Anurakthe Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1980 Narada Vijaya Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1981 Aalemane Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1981 AnupamaCredited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1981 Kanchana Mruga Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1982 Baadada HooCredited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1983 Simhasana Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi" 1986 Shanka Naada Arrangement by Guna Singh 1988 Aasphota 1990 Santha Shishunala Sharifa 1991 Mysore Mallige Won Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada 1993 Chinnari Mutha Won Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director 1994 Kotreshi Kanasu 1997 Nagamandala 1998MayamrugaTitletrack of Kannada language teleserial directed by T. N. Seetharam 2001 Mathadana 2003 Singaaravva 2006 Desi 2009 Hongirana
Style A pioneer of Kannada "Sugama Sangeetha" (light music), the versatile singer had over 75 albums to his credit.
C. Ashwath is a household name in Karnataka. He is, perhaps the only music director in Karnataka, to have carved a niche of his own in all three fields that demand music as an element of expression: Theatre, Sugama Sangeetha and movies.
Ashwath has also brought out an album titled "Nesara Noodu" which consists of 21 drama songs of his direction.
In the 1990s, Rajkumar had sung Kuvempu's 'Elladaroo Iru Entadaroo Iru' under the music direction of C.Ashwath, which became very popular.
Performance The Kannadave Sathya live concert, which was held in Palace Grounds, Bengaluru on 23 April 2005, headed by Ashwath, was the great success which witnessed around a lakh audience for the show. This was the first time a Kannada Musical event was taken place here, while many western and other Indian language programs taken place in the past.
Death He died on 29 December 2009 on his 70th birthday. He was suffering from renal and liver failures.Kannada composer C Ashwath dies Rediff.com. Retrieved on 29 December 2009. His friends and well wishers had planned to celebrate his 70th birthday in a special way and Swamiji of Suttur Mutt and Virendra Hegde were to facilitate him followed by singing his popular songs.
Awards 1986: Rajyotsava Award by Government of Karnataka 2003: Kavyaganga Award by Attimabbe Foundation
References
External links