BANGALORE: Well-known singer, music composer and lyricist C. Ashwath died at a private hospital on his 71st birthday, here on Tuesday after a brief illness.He leaves behind his wife, a son and daughter.Mr. Aswath was admitted to a private hospital on December 17 and was put on life support system. Mr. Ashwath’s condition deteriorated on Monday and he died of multiple organ failure on Tuesday at 10.45 a.m., according to an official communication form the hospital.

Mr. Ashwath shot into fame as a music composer and singer through the Kannada film “Kakanakote,” based on the work of Jnanpith award winner and Kannada writer Masti Venkatesh Iyengar. With support from poets and singers, Mr. Ashwath established “Dhwani,” an organisation for promoting “Sugama sangeeta” (light music). He travelled across Karnataka and held musical programmes that not only brought fame and popularity to him but also to the poets.

As news of Mr. Ashwath’s death spread, hundreds of music lovers and his friends rushed to the hospital and later to his residence in N.R. Colony here.However, Mr. Ashwath’s body was kept at the Ravindra Kalakshetra, for public viewing.Many leading personalities, such as Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa  paid their last respects to the departed singer.