Kozhikode: Noted musician Kaithapram Viswanathan has passed away here on Wednesday afternoon. He was 58. He was undergoing cancer treatment at MVR Cancer Center in Kozhikode. He is the younger brother of renowned music composer Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.

Kaithapram Viswanathan was born to Keshavan Namboothiri (Kannadi Bhagavathar) of Kannadi Illam and Adithi Antharjanam in 1963 in Kaithapram near Pilathara in Kannur. He completed Ganabhooshanam from Swathi Thirunal Music College in Thiruvananthapuram.

Viswanathan debuted in film industry through the film ‘Deshadanam’ assisting his elder brother Kaithapram who was the lyricist and music director of the movie. He became an independent music director with Jayaraj's ‘Kannaki’.

He composed music for the films including Kannaki, Thilakkam, Daivanamathil, Ullam, Ekantham, Madhyavenal, Neelambari and Orma Maathram. He won the award for best background music for 'Kannaki' in 2001.

‘Karineelakannazhaki’, ‘Kayyettum Doore Oru Kuttikkalam’, ‘Neeyoru Puzhayayi’, ‘Enikkoru Pennunde’, ‘Saare Saare Sambare’, ‘Adedi Adadedi Alilakkiliye’ are his notable works.

He is survived by wife Gauri and children Adithi, Narmada and Keshavan.