Well-known mandolin player Uppalapu Srinivas died Friday here at a private hospital. He was 45.

According to a source at Apollo hospital, where he was admitted following brief illness, Srinivas “passed away due to liver-related problems this morning at 9.30”.

Born Feb 28, 1969 in Palakolu, Andhra Pradesh, Srinivas was a child prodigy. He picked up his father’s mandolin at the age of six and started playing it.

He made his first public performance at the age of 9 when he played at the Thyagaraja Aradhana Festival in Gudivada.

Since then, he has performed in several music festivals, both nationally and internationally.

He has performed alongside several international artists such as Michael Brook, John McLaughlin, Trey Gunn and Nigel Kennedy.

In 1998, he was honoured with the Padma Shri award.