Vocalist Ashok Huggannavar passes away

Noted Hindustani classical vocalist and music teacher Ashok Huggannavar, 64, passed away in Hubballi during the early hours of Thursday.

He is survived by wife Veena, who is a teacher and son Vinayak who is a scientist and vocalist.

A native of Yaraguppi in Kundgol taluk of Dharwad district was a gold medalist in MA music and held a postgraduate degree in Botany. After having served as a music teacher at MPE Society’s SDM College in Honnavar for several years, Ashok Huggannavar had retired in the year 2021 and post-retirement had settled down in Hubballi.

Ashok Huggannavar had trained under Pandit Lingaraj Buva Yaraguppi of the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani music for nearly 12 years and had won appreciation for his distinct style.

He had served as a member of Karnataka Sangeet Nrutya Academy and was a recipient of several awards, including ‘Karnataka Kalashri’, ‘Mansur Award’, Ragashree and other awards. He had performed at various national music festivals.