Chennai, Sep 19 (IANS): The sudden death of famous mandolin musician Uppalapu Shrinivas, popularly known as Mandolin Shrinivas, has left a void in the music world, said Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah.

Shrinivas passed away Friday morning in a private hospital due to a liver ailment. He was 45.

"The death of Mandolin Shrinivas has left a void and the Carnatic music world has lost a mandolin genius. I convey my sincere condolences to the bereaved members of the family and to his rasikas in particular," Rosaiah said in his condolence message.

If it is mandolin what immediately comes to one's mind is Shrinivas, Rosaiah said.

"He mesmerised the audience and made them spell bound by his scintillating performance. The clutches of death have snatched away the life of a great artist at an early age," Rosaiah said.

In her condolence message, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa expressed her shock and said it was Shrinivas who popularised the mandolin instrument.

She said with his music, Shrinivas captured the hearts of music lovers.

"It is a great loss for the Carnatic music world and the space left by him cannot be filled by anybody else," Jayalalithaa said.