Nathaswaram Vidwan Alaveddy N.K.Pathmanathan passes away

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 July 2003, 12:00 GMT]
The world renowned Sri Lankan Nathaswara Vidwan Alaveddy N.K.Pathmanathan passed away peacefully at the age of seventy one and his cremation was held in Jaffna Thursday morning at Kombayanmanal cemetery amid thousand of mourners praising his contribution to the Nathaswara music for about half a century in Sri Lanka. sources said.

Leading citizens of many walks of life including Jaffna district parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah, Jaffna University Vice Chancellor Professor C.Mohanadas, Professors Mr. A.Shanmugathas, Mr.K. Sittampalam, Mr.V.Gaopalakrishna Ayer and Mr.S.Sivalingarasa attended the cremation, sources said

Alaveddy. N.K.Pathmanathan passed away in Colombo on Tuesday after a brief illness. His body was brought to Jaffna Wednesday for cremation.

On Thursday morning his body was taken in a procession to the Kombayanmanal cemetery from his house at Kilner Lane in Jaffna town. Hundreds of thousands of his fans followed the funeral procession to the cemetery, sources said.

Mr. N.K.Pathmanathan was born in 1932 at Alaveddy north in Jaffna. His father, late Mr.Kanthasamy was a leading Thavil (Drum) Vidwan in early days. Mr.Pathmanathan studied Nathaswaram music under his father. Thereafter he became a student of another Nathaswara Vidwan Kondavil Mr.M.P.M.Thirunavukkarasu, sources said.

He held his Nathaswaram recitals in many parts of the world including London, Germany, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Australia and India. He was conferred with the title "Nathaswaram Isai Chakravarthi" (Emperor of Nathaswaram Music) by several musical organizations.

He was holding the post of Asthana Nathaswaram Vidwan of the historic Nallur Kandasamy Temple for over forty-one years, sources said.

Recognizing his contribution to the development of Nathaswaram music, the Government of Sri Lanka conferred on him the title "Kalasuri". He was the first Nathaswaram Vidwan who was conferred with the State Award , sources said.