Renowned Nadaswaram musician Sheik Mahaboob Subhani passes away

Trichy: Sheik Mahaboob Subhani, prominent nadaswaram musician and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on Wednesday due to a brief illness in Srirangam, Trichy. He was 71 years old.Subhani is survived by his wife Kaleeshabi Mahaboob and their three children. He hailed from Pedakothapalli village in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, and was born into an eighth-generation family of traditional nadaswaram musicians.Subhani received his initial training from his father, Sheik Meera Sahib, and later advanced his artistry under the renowned nadaswaram musician Sheik Chinna Moulana Sahib.Subhani was widely admired for his mastery of Carnatic music on the nadaswaram, particularly for his exceptional command over the Tamil-style tradition despite coming from Andhra roots.In 2020, the govt of India conferred the Padma Shri award on him and his wife Kaleeshabi Mahaboob in recognition of their outstanding contributions to classical music.Over several decades, the couple presented hundreds of concerts across India and performed internationally. Tamil Nadu govt honoured them with the Kalaimamani award in 1994.Tributes have begun pouring in from the Carnatic music fraternity, temple musicians, and admirers across the country.