KADRI GOPALNATH - 'SAXOPHONE CHAKRAVATHY'

Kadri Gopalnath is simple, unassuming and deeply devoted to his art. As the country's foremost exponent of the Saxophone, he has participated in numerous festivals in countries like Czechoslovakia, Germany, Mexico, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Bahrain, Malaysia and Singapore. The titles and honours conferred on him include - Saxophone Samrat, Ganakala Shree, Nadopasana Brahma, Sunaada Prakashika, Sangeetha Vadyaratna (from Film Director K. Balachander), Nada Kalaratna, Nada Kalanithi (from Sringeri Peetham), Sangeetha Ratna (from Dr. Balamuralikrishna), Karnataka Kalashree, and Vocational Excellency award from the Rotary club of Madras.

I first saw the saxophone being played in the Mysore Palace. I was 15 years young then. I was attracted to the vibrant tone of the instrument. I wanted to acquire one. In those days, the Saxophone was not easily available. I found out after some enquiries that the instrument could be procured from Hyderabad. I got my first Saxophone from Hyderabad through V.P.P.

I had no Guru. My mother was a singer, and my father was a Nadaswaram player. I used to see my father playing the Nadaswaram. I practiced the songs that I learnt from Appa and later translated it for the Saxophone. It took me two years to get hold of the Sapthaswaras (7 notes) on the Saxophone. T.V.Gopalakrishna Iyer, a well-known Musician, encouraged me a lot.

The Saxophone is basically a western instrument, whereas the Nadaswaram is an Indian Instrument, meant for Carnatic music. The shape of the Nadaswaram is straight but the Saxophone is curved. Nadaswaram has no keys, whereas the saxophone has keys. The other major difference is that the Nadaswaram has double reeds, but the Saxophone has only one reed. It is easier to play difficult swaras or very soft notes on the Nadaswaram. Mastering the technique of fingering and blowing into the instrument on the Saxophone, specially with regard to Carnatic music, is not easy.

The Saxophone is a western instrument. How did you adapt it to Carnatic music?

All keys on the Saxophone have strings. I have replaced all the strings with a thin rubber band to make it easier to play Carnatic music on it. But still, like all other instruments, the Saxophone also has its limitations.

Can the instrument be modified in music shops?

No, it cannot be modified in shops because the demand for Saxophone, as a Carnatic Instrument, has not yet picked up. So shopkeepers are reluctant to sell the modified version. I personally modify it for my students or I teach them to modify it.

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