Renowned Thavil artist R Karunamoorthy, who played a major role in popularising the barrel-shaped percussion instrument at the 'Nagaswara Kacheri', died due to stomach-related ailments at a private hospital in Kochi on Wednesday, his family said. He was 53. Hailing from Vaikom in Kottayam district, Karunamoorthy has performed in many venues in the country and abroad, winning the hearts of traditional music lovers.