MUMBAI: Renowned Carnatic vocalist Nedunuri Krishnamurthy passed away early in the morning on 8 December, at the age of 87 at his residence in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Krishnamurthy was known for his tonal quality and continuity. He earned recognition from composing music for 108 compositions of the 15th century poet Annamacharya. He performed for more than five decades at the Madras Music Academy and was conferred the title of ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ in December 1991.

According to one of his family members, he was undergoing treatment for lung cancer and passed away at 1: 38 a.m. The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his sadness and said, “He did yeoman service to the spread of Carnatic Music and was the person under whose guidance Dr MS Subbalakshmi rendered the 'Annamacharya Keerthanas' in the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) project. He was instrumental in organising the 'Naada Nirajanam Programme'.

He was also the principal of the Music College and rendered great service in the field of Carnatic Music," Naidu noted in his condolence message."

The chief minister then asked his chief secretary IYR Krishna Rao to go to Vishakhapatnam and pass on his condolences to his family members.