churumuri mourns the passing away of C. Aswath, an iconic voice that emblazoned Kannada theatre and cinema with folk and light music, on his 71st birthday, in Bangalore on Tuesday.
In this video-grab of the 2007 film, Matha (starring Jaggesh), Aswath brings home one of life’s truisms: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
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Staggeringly, Aswath worked with the Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) in Bangalore for over 25 years, retiring as executive engineer. All through the public sector behemoth allowed his talent to blossom and bloom.
How many of our modern companies, including “IT-BT” companies, hire employees from outside their area of operation? How many would encourage and allow employees to develop their talents?
In short, does modern industry have any role to play in society, except to generate “shareholder value”, also known as profits, and building a few toilets or donating a few wind cheaters with their signage so that the public can see what their corporate social responsibility is?
Photograph: Karnataka Photo News
Also read: Why don’t we hear of IT men excelling in sport?
Is private sector really superior to public sector?
Tags: BT, C. Ashwath, C. Aswath, Churumuri, IT, ITI, Sans Serif
29 December 2009 at 7:50 pm
The first time I heard C Ashwath live was a few years ago when he performed at the world spiritual music festival in Bangalore. He was leading a choir of young children who were singing compositions of Sant Purandaradasa.
That remains one of the best live performances I have ever been privileged to attend.
May he rest in peace. His music will continue to add life to our lives.
29 December 2009 at 8:33 pm
Oh come on!
You don’t need to turn an obit into an anti-IT/BT rant.
RIP Ashwath-avare
29 December 2009 at 9:14 pm
Ashwath is a hero of kannada suguma sangeetha. His compositions are ever remembered as long as kannada music lovers are there. His a special voice and sudden start of songs. He has brought many poets good kavithagalannu to common man He has encouraged many new talants. He has made suguma sangetha lovers orphans,
29 December 2009 at 9:21 pm
“How many would encourage and allow employees to develop their talents?”
I think they can produce more Tigers and Woods.
An exponent of a genre of music expires sans felicitation.
The amount of SMSes I am getting on my mobile from unknown corners for committing “Been there Done that” with madire and maanini for the so called new year confirms where the money had come will irreversibly go there specially the workers of toilet builders.
Kereya Neeranu Kerege Chelli.
Mori neeranu Vrishabhavati-morige chelli.
December 29. Quite eventful. Kuvempu birth anniversary.
and now Aswath.
The exponent of sugama sangeetha sang us the most reverred songs of literary gaints
Negila Yogiya nodalli
Tharavalla thagi ninna tamboori..
to remember a few.
29 December 2009 at 9:52 pm
Churumuri is using the passing away of an icon to take potshots at IT companies. This is more of an insult than a tribute to the legend.
Really, I mean, really, what was the author smoking?
29 December 2009 at 9:55 pm
The kavis of Kannada owe a debt of gratitude to the likes of C. Ashwath, but for whose efforts, several of their sublime works would never have made it to the masses. How I’d have wished for Ashwath to set Mankutimmana Kagga, every single one of it, to a simple folksy tune in his own inimitable style.
RIP C. Ashwath.
29 December 2009 at 10:19 pm
#Can Bangalore produce another Aswath# will be more apt. Organizations can definitley help. But it is the individual efforts and the contemporary society that supports the art and artists thaat are equally important. People have3 not forgotten tha EAS Prasanna also worked in the ITI. RIP gaanagaarudiga C aswath.
29 December 2009 at 10:44 pm
I grew up listening to Shishunala Sharief songs , music composed by C Ashwath. Also, he had lent his voice for few of the compositions.
Rest In Peace
30 December 2009 at 12:38 am
RIP C. Ashwath
Its stupid to bring in IT-BT here. Having been an admirer of churumuri, its sad to a wrong thought.
30 December 2009 at 1:30 am
Rest in Peace C Ashwath. As Sisya mentions, we were fortunate to hear some nice lyrics set to great folk music.
Also agree with Ranga that this is not the right place or occassion to criticize IT organizations.
30 December 2009 at 1:54 am
Wish churmuri had a separate Obit/tribute article for the great Artist instead of combing it with IT-BT & ITI
30 December 2009 at 6:59 am
and now DR V V.
December has been not been KIND to the Industry.
RIP Vishnu,
30 December 2009 at 8:38 am
Agree with Alok, leave IT alone and just mourn the soulful singer.
30 December 2009 at 11:45 am
I wasn’t a fan of his voice, but that is a silly quibble compared to the fantastic amount of good he has done by popularizing so many songs. Kannada and Karnataka need more like him. RIP.
30 December 2009 at 12:19 pm
Great loss for the fans of light music, Kannada and Karnataka. There is only one Kalingarao, one Ashwath, one Anthaswamy, one Subbanna. May the soul of Ashwath the great rest in peace.