Lata Mangeshkar, AR Rahman, Shankar Mahadevan pay tribute to U Srinivas

Calling him a "shining star" and "genius", Indian music exponents Lata Mangeshkar, Zakir Hussain, Resul Pookutty among others on Friday expressed their grief over the sudden demise of renowned Mandolin exponent Uppalapu Srinivas.

Srinivas, 45, popularly known as 'Mandolin Srinivas', passed away at a private hospital here today after prolonged illness. "I got to know today that U Srinivas is no more. I am very sad to hear that. When he was 14-year-old, I saw his performance on TV. He used to play the instrument brilliantly.

It is quite tough to play classical music on mandolin... May his soul rest in peace," Melody Queen Mangeshkar posted on Twitter.

Mujhe abhi maalum hua ki bohot acche mandolin player U. Srinivas ji jinhe log mandolin Srinivas bhi kehete (cont) http://t.co/dXfOXrW5Ag

— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) September 19, 2014

Condoling his demise, Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman said, "Emotionally shaken to hear of Carnatic shining star Mandolin Shrinivasji's demise... May God bless him with happiness in the next world."

Emotionally shaken to hear of Carnatic shining star Mandolin Shrinivasji's demise... May God bless him with happiness in the next world...

— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) September 19, 2014

Playback singer Srinivas said, "Life is cruel. Mandolin U Srinivas, the genius dies at a young age, when he had much more to offer to music. RIP." 

For music composer Shankar Mahadevan, it was an end of a big part of his music journey. "A big part of my musical journey ended today with U Srinivas .. Devastated," he tweeted.

A big part of my musical journey ended today with U Srinivas .. Devastated pic.twitter.com/qx7NjF76Jy

— Shankar Mahadevan (@Shankar_Live) September 19, 2014

Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty wrote, "So sad to hear the passing away of U Srinivas, what an amazing musician, May his soul RIP. My heartfelt condolences to the family, Prayers!"

So sad yo hear the passing away of U Srinivas, what an amazing musician, May his soul RIP. My heartfelt condolences to the family, Prayers!

— resul pookutty (@resulp) September 19, 2014

Tabla maestro Hussain said he considered the young musician as his brother. "Today mother India cries, today a part of Indian music died and we are orphaned, RIP my dear brother Mandolin Srinivas," he tweeted.

We've lost a wonderful human being and a legend 'mandolin srinivas'. Pt. U.srinivas RIP. Prayers ..

— salim merchant (@salim_merchant) September 19, 2014

Singer Shreya Ghoshal said, "We lost Mandolin Maestro Shri U Srinivas this morning. One of the greatest musicians of this world. And too young to go away. RIP." Popular Tamil film actress Khushbu Sundar said, "Sad to hear the demise of Mandolin Srinivas. Very young to go. A huge bundle of talent he was. RIP." 

We lost Mandolin Maestro Shri U. Srinivas this morning. One of the greatest musicians of this world. And too young to go away. R.I.P.

— Shreya Ghoshal (@shreyaghoshal) September 19, 2014