MUMBAI: Prominent Kannada composer C Ashwath who was known for his Bhavageete and Janapada Geete in the Kannada language is no more. He was suffering from liver and kidney failure. Ironically, the veteran composer passed of on his birthday, 29 December. He was 71.

Born in 1939, Ashwath was extremely popular in Karnataka and among Kannadigas all over the world. He graduated in Science from Bangalore University 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 Shankararao Joshi in Hindustani Music.

Ashwath had composed music for a films too. 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. He has also composed music for a very popular movie 'Matha daana' along with another popular music director V Manohar.