Gurukiran’s mother Rathnakanthi Shetty passes away at 93

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, August 9, 2026: A. Rathnakanthi Shetty (93), mother of noted music director Gurukiran, passed away due to illness at her residence in Kadri, Mangaluru, on Sunday. She is survived by four sons and a large circle of relatives.

Rathnakanthi Shetty had served as a professor at the Government College in Hampankatta. She later served as Deputy Director in the Department of Collegiate Education in Bengaluru and was subsequently transferred to Mangaluru as Regional Director.

She was the president of the Premakanthi Educational and Charitable Trust and had established the Netaji Institute of Nursing Sciences and other educational institutions under the trust. She was also a founding director of Sri Ramakrishna Credit Co-operative Society.

Gurukiran took to social media to share an emotional tribute to his mother.

“With a heavy heart, I am sharing the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved mother, Mrs. A. Rathnakanthi Shetty. She was the heart of our family—our strength, our love and our source of warmth and comfort. Her unconditional love, quiet presence and immense sacrifices shaped who we are today,” he wrote.

Following the news of her passing, several prominent personalities and celebrities from the Kannada film industry, along with fans, expressed their condolences. They prayed for strength for Gurukiran and his family to cope with the loss.