Violin maestro kunnakudi dead

Chennai, Sep 8 (UNI) Violin Maestro Kunnakudi Vaidhiyanathan died here tonight following a heart attack.

He was 73. He was undergoing treatment for heart aliment at a private hospital when the end came at about 2150 hrs.

He was admitted to hospital five days ago.

The famous carnatic violinist was among the best along with other greats like T N Krishnan Lolkudi Jayaraman. His innovative style and ''playing around with notes won him accolades as well as criticism.

He also contributed music for about 15 films in Tamil, some of which proved to be hits.

Vaidyanathan as known for his excellent fingering technique, with which he could simulate sounds of animals, birds, man, woman, child, elements of nature, among others. His inspiration for this was the western violinist, Paganini.

Vaidyanathan has had a hectic, varied life as an artiste. Since 1980, he was Secretary, Shri Tyagabramha Mahotsava Sabha, Tiruvaiyaru and appointed State Artiste by Tamil Nadu Government in 1984. He is a Member, South Zone Cultural Centre, Government of India since 1986. He was appointed Asthana Vidwan, Kanchi Mutt in 1987. He was the recepient of many awards.

Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan had deep faith in the therapeutical merits of music. At the age of 15, he played on his violin, at the instance of Dr. Ganapati Subramanyam of Karaikudi Bairavi raga for hours by the side of his father who was in coma. The patient slowly regained consciousness and lived for a decade.

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