Kadri Gopalnath (6 December 1949 – 11 October 2019) was an Indian alto saxophonist and one of the pioneers of Carnatic music for that instrument.

Born in a Tulu speaking Jogi community of Sajeepa Mooda village in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada to Taniyappa (a Naadaswara vidwan) and Gangamma,[1] Gopalnath was inspired to learn the saxophone as a child after hearing it played by the Mysore Palace band set,[2] although he took nearly 20 years to master the complexities of the western wind instrument.

In 2005, Gopalnath began a collaboration with American saxophonist and composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, which resulted in the 2008 album Kinsmen (Pi Recordings) and supporting US tour.

He is survived by his wife Sarojini and three children, among whom, his younger son Manikanth Kadri, is also a professional musician and music director.

Gopalnath was presented with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award for Carnatic Music – Instrumental (Saxophone), by President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, in New Delhi on 26 October 2004.

[5] Gopalnath had the distinction of being the first Carnatic musician to be invited in the BBC Promenade concert in 1994, in the Royal Albert Hall at London.

The 2008 album Blue Rhizome by the New Quartet features a tribute to the saxophonist called "Gopalnath" (composed by Karl E. H. Seigfried).