Kadri Gopalnath was associated with which musical instrument?

Explanation

Kadri Gopalnath (1949-2019) was the musician who made the saxophone, a Western instrument, a part of Carnatic classical music. He was popularly known as the "Saxophone Chakravarthi" (Emperor of the Saxophone).

Kadri Gopalnath was born in Mithakere, in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. His father, Thaniappa, was a nadaswaram player. As a young man, Gopalnath heard the saxophone played by a band at the palace of the Maharaja of Mysore, and he was fascinated by it. He decided to learn it and to use it to play Carnatic music. This was a great challenge, because the saxophone was designed for Western music and could not easily produce the sliding notes and ornaments (gamakas) that are essential to Carnatic music. He spent years modifying the instrument and developing new techniques of blowing and fingering, so that it could express the subtle nuances of Carnatic ragas. He trained under the Carnatic musician T.V. Gopalakrishnan, among others. He became one of the most popular Carnatic musicians, and he performed all over the world. He also collaborated with jazz musicians, such as the saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, and with musicians of other traditions. He received the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He died in Mangaluru on 11 October 2019.

Several Western instruments have been adapted to Carnatic music. The violin was introduced in the 18th and 19th centuries and is now the main accompanying instrument. The mandolin was made famous by U. Srinivas. The saxophone was made famous by Kadri Gopalnath. The clarinet was played in Carnatic music by A.K.C. Natarajan.

Why not the other options?

Clarinet is linked with the Carnatic musician A.K.C. Natarajan.

Mandolin is linked with U. Srinivas.

Violin is linked with Lalgudi Jayaraman and L. Subramaniam.