Channarayapatna Ashwath (Kannada: ಸಿ. ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ್, lit.'C. 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 and making sure that they reached the common man.[1]

C. Ashwath
C. Ashwath
C. Ashwath
Background information
Birth nameAshwatha Narayana
Born(1939-12-29)29 December 1939
OriginChannarayapatna
Died29 December 2009(2009-12-29) (aged 70)
Bengaluru
GenresBhavageete, Janapada Geete (Traditional Indian light and folk music)
Occupation(s)lyricist, Singer, composer
Years active1969–2009

Early life and education

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He was born on December 29, 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.[1]

Movies

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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.[2]

Discography

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Films

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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 Anupama Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi"
1981 Kanchana Mruga Credited as "Ashwath - Vaidi"
1982 Baadada Hoo Credited 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
1998 Mayamruga Titletrack of Kannada language teleserial directed by T. N. Seetharam[3]
2001 Mathadana
2003 Singaaravva
2006 Desi
2009 Hongirana
 
C. Ashwath singing on stage

Style

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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.[4][1]

Ashwath has also brought out an album titled "Nesara Noodu" which consists of 21 drama songs of his direction.[5]

In the 1990s, Rajkumar had sung Kuvempu's 'Elladaroo Iru Entadaroo Iru' under the music direction of C.Ashwath, which became very popular.[6]

Performance

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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.[7]

Death

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He died on 29 December 2009 [8] on his 70th birthday. He was suffering from renal and liver failures.[9] 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.[10]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ashwath passes away". Deccan Herald. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  2. ^ Ganesh, Deepa (17 October 2018). "Exalted meanings". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  3. ^ Kannada, TV9 (28 May 2021). "23 ವರ್ಷವಾದರೂ ಮಾಸದ 'ಮಾಯಾಮೃಗ' ಹಾಡು ಕಂಪೋಸ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದು ಲಂಚ್ ಬ್ರೇಕ್ನ ಕೆಲವೇ ನಿಮಿಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ". TV9 Kannada (in Kannada). Retrieved 9 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Karnataka's defining moments: A music genre that takes poetry to the people". Deccan Herald. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  5. ^ Nesara Nodu (Ranga Geethegalu) Vol – 01 | Kannada Audio Jukebox 2018 | C.Ashwath Musical | Kannada, retrieved 9 March 2023
  6. ^ Elladaru Iru Enthadaru Iru Lyrical Video Song | Dr Rajkumar, Kuvempu, C Ashwath | Kannada Songs, retrieved 9 March 2023
  7. ^ Harsha Bhat (3 March 2014). "An evening of lyrical beauty". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  8. ^ "End came on his 70th birthday". Deccan Herald. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  9. ^ Kannada composer C Ashwath dies Rediff.com. Retrieved on 29 December 2009.
  10. ^ "The song lingers on". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  11. ^ "List of Rajyotsava awardees". Karnataka Govt website. Govt of Karnataka. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Awards for Kannada singers". The Hindu. 10 December 2003. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
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