- M. Balamuralikrishna
-
Dr Mangalampalli BalamuraliKrishna 
fBackground information Birth name Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna Born July 6, 1930 Origin Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh Genres Carnatic music Occupations Classical Vocalist Years active 1938–present Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna (Telugu: మంగళంపల్లి బాలమురళీకృష్ణ)
pronunciation (help·info) (born July 6, 1930) is a Carnatic vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and a playback singer. He is also acclaimed as a poet, composer and respected by all Indian classical musicians for his knowledge of Carnatic Music.Contents
Early life
Balamuralikrishna was born in Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh state.[1] His father was a well known musician and could play the flute, violin and the veena and his mother was an excellent veena player. He lost his mother when he was just a baby and since then, he was taken care by his father. Observing his inner penchant towards music, his father put him under the tutelage of Sri Parupalli Ramakrishna Pantulu. Sri Pantulu was a direct descendant of the sisya parampara of Saint Thyagaraja. Under his guidance, the young Balamuralikrishna learnt Carnatic Music. At the age of eight, Balamuralikrishna gave his first full fledged concert at a Thyagaraja Aradhana, Vijayawada. Musunuri Suryanarayana Murty Bhagavatar, a distinguished Harikatha performer, saw the musical talent in the child and gave the prefix 'Bala' (child) to the young Muralikrishna. This title has stuck ever since and Balamuralikrishna has been known so.
Balamuralikrishna thus began his musical career at a very young age. By the age of fifteen he had mastered all the 72 melakartha ragas and had composed krithis in the same. The Janaka Raga Manjari was published in 1952 and recorded as Raagaanga Ravali in a nine-volume series by the Sangeeta Recording Company.[2]
Balamuralikrishna soon became very famous as a singer. The number of concerts for this young musician began to increase and hence he had to discontinue his school.
Not merely content with his fame as a carnatic vocalist, very soon Balamurali proved his immense versatility by playing the kanjira, mridangam, viola and violin. He also accompanied various musicians in violin and is also noted to give solo viola concerts.
Performing career
Balamuralikrishna
Balamuralikrishna started his career at a very young age. Till date, he has given over 25000 concerts worldwide![3][4]
His immense versatility in all the fields of music, his mesmerizing voice, his unique way of rendering the compositions helped him to carve out a niche in the Music era. He collaborated with the top musicians in the Hindustani circle and is known to be the first to start the jugulbandi type of concerts. The first of such kind was in Mumbai, where he accompanied Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. He also gave jugalbandi concerts with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Kishori Amonkar, among others. These concerts made him popular throughout the country and also helped in national integration through music.
Poet composer and musicologist, Balamuralikrishna has restored the trinity's composition to their original whole. He represents a new era in Carnatic music. Like the galaxy of giants preceding him, he has helped in the preservation of the musical heritage in his own way. He is also known for popularising the Compositions of Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu and Sri Annamacharya.
Concerts
Balamuralikrishna during a concert in Kuwait on 29 March 2006, accompanied by Mavelikkara Sathees Chandran (violin), Perunna G. Harikumar (mridangom), Manjoor Unnikrishnan (ghatam)Balamuralikrishna's concerts combine sophisticated vocal skills and rhythmic patterns of classical music with the popular demand for entertainment value.
Balamurali Krishna has been invited to give concerts in many countries, including US, Canada, UK, Italy, France, Russia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Middle East and many more.
While his native tongue is Telugu, he sings not only in Telugu but also in many languages including Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi.
He also acted in the Telugu movie "Bhakta Prahlada" (1967) under the banner of AVM Productions as Narada wherein, he sang his own songs. He also acted in a few more movies as well.
He appeared as featured soloist with an award-winning British choir, performing the "Gitanjali Suite" with words from Rabindranath Tagore's Nobel Prize-winning poetry and music by Dr. Joel, the noted UK-based Goan composer. His clear diction in several languages prompted an invitation to record Tagore's entire Rabindra Sangeet compositions in Bengali, preserving them for posterity. He has sung in French, and even ventured into jazz fusion, collaborating with the top Carnatic percussion teacher, Sri T.H. Subash Chandran, in a concert for Malaysian royalty.
He has recently become increasingly interested in music therapy, and now performs only occasionally. He gave its authorization to S. Ram Bharati to found "Academy of Performing Arts and Research" in Switzerland and is also working on music therapy. He established the 'MBK Trust' with the objective of developing art and culture and for carrying out extensive research into Music Therapy. A dance and music school, 'Vipanchee' is a part of this Trust and is run by his managing trustee Kalaimamani Saraswati.
Poet and Composer
Dr Balamuralikrishna has composed over 400 compositions in various languages like Telugu, Sanskrit and Tamil. His compositions ranges from Devotional to Varnams, Kirthis, Javalis and Thillans. His greatest achievement are the compositions in all the fundamental 72 melakartha ragas.
Innovations
Balamuralikrishna performs in 2005Characteristic of Balamuralikrishna's musical journey has been his non-conformism, spirit of experimentation and boundless creativity.
Dr Balamuralikrishna has innovated the whole Carnatic Music System by keeping its rich tradition untouched. The ragas like Ganapathi, Sarvashri, Mahati, Lavangi etc. are credited to him. The ragas which he invented represent his quest for new frontiers.
Ragas like Lavangi are set to three or four notes in ascending and descending scale.[2] Ragaas created by him, like Mahathi, Lavangi, Sidhdhi, Sumukham have only Four Notes; While Ragaas created by him, like Sarva Sri, Omkaari, Ganapathy have only Three Notes .
He also innovated the tala system. He has incorporated "Gathi Bedam" in the "Sa Sabdha Kriya" ( Actions in Talas, which can produce sound/Sabdha are called Sa Sabdha Kriya )part of the existing Tala chain, thus throwing open a new chain of Tala System. Saint Arunagirinaadhar used to inject such systems in his famous Thirupugazh, but only as Sandham, while Balamuralikrishna is known to be the pioneer in bringing such Sandhams into a logical rhythm, with Angam & Definition. Thri Mukhi, Panchamukhi, Saptha Mukhi & Nava Mukhi are the Basic Classifications, he has named for his New Tala System.[clarification needed]
When coming to his compositions, his Thillanas speaks of the glory. Balamuralikrishna is supposed to be the pioneer in injecting Sangathis in Thillanas too as well.[clarification needed]
His emotional interpretation to the Thyagaraja Krithi Nagumomu has won him accolades and is popular even today.[citation needed]
Criticisms and Acceptance
Balamuralikrishna was criticized for his invention of new ragas. They were once regarded an act of sacrilege by the orthodox. But then, any serious appraisal of a contemporary work of art must be historically informed. Innovation of new ragas was the defining characteristic of the Thyagaraja legacy. According to physicists M.V. Ramana and V.N. Muthukumar, the more than 700 Thyagaraja compositions available today are set in 212 ragas.[2] Of them, 121 had but one composition and Thyagaraja was the first to compose kritis in 66 ragas. Significantly, the ragas Vivardhani and Navarasa Kannada - which are innovations by Thyagaraja - have just four notes on the ascent. They were the first of their kind in the 19th century. Arguably, Balamuralikrishna's own ragas merely take Thyagaraja's endeavour to its culmination. Ranjani, another Thyagaraja creation, boasts of over a hundred kritis today, including Balamuralikrishna's Vande Maataram, andee maa taram.[2]
Titles and Awards
The musical genius Dr Balamuralikrishna has won many awards and accolades to his credit. A few of them are : -
Sangeetha Kalanidhi ,Gaana kousthuba, Gaanakalabhooshana,Gaana gandharva,Gaayaka Sikamani, Gaayana Chakravarthy, Gaana Padmam, Nadajyothi, Sangeetha Kala Saraswathi [5] Nada Maharishi,Gandharva Gana Samrat, Jnanasagara, The Musician of the Century, to name a few. For the cause of National Integration, the Governor of Maharashtra honored him for services rendered.
He is the only Carnatic Musician to get three National awards as the Best Playback Singer, the Best Music Composer and the Best Music Director. He has been awarded the All India Radio's "Top Grade" for seven different performance areas.
Dr M Balamuralikrishna has made the National awards such as Padmashree, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan as his own. He is also the only carnatic musician to have won Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Government.[6]
Apart from all these, he has won many honorary doctorates from various prestigious Universities.
Discography
Select compositions
Composition Ragam Type Remarks Omkaara Pranava Shanmukhapriya Padha Varnam Amma Aanandha dhaayini Gambhiranata Varnam Ye Naadhamu Naata Varnam Chalamu Chaesina Ramapriya Varnam Aapaala Gopaalamu Amritavarshini Varnam Ninu Nera Nammithi Kharaharapriya Varnam Sri Sakala Ganadhipa Palayamam Aarabhi Kriti ? Three Pallavis on Ganapathy, Maaruthi and Krishna Mahadevasutham Aarabhi Kriti on Ganapathy Gam Gam Ganapathim Ganapathi Kriti on Ganapathi-Tri Tonal Raga: Sa Ga Pa Ganaadhipam Nattai Kriti on Ganapathi Pirai Aniyum Perumaan Hamsadhvani Kriti on Ganapathi Uma Sutham Namaami Sarvasri Kriti on Ganapathi-Tri Tonal Raga: Sa Ma Pa Mahaneeya Namasulivae Sumukham Kriti on Ganapathi-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Ni Omkara karini Lavangi Kriti Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Dha Sidhdhi Naayakena Amritavarshini Kriti on Ganapathi Sidhdhim Dhehi Mae Sidhdhi Kriti on Ganapathi-Tri Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Dha Heera Ganapathiki Surati Kriti On Ganapathi Mahaneeya Madhura Moorthae Mahathi Kriti Guru Vandhanam-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ga PA Ni Guruni Smarimpumo Hamsavinodhini Kriti Guru Vandhanam Varuha Varuha Panthuvaraali Kriti on Muruha Thunai Neeyae Charukesi Kriti on Muruha Nee Dhaya Raadha Poorvikalyani Kriti on Ambika Gathi Neeve Kalyani Kriti on Ambika Siva Ganga Nagasvaravali Kriti on Ambika Maa Maanini Thodi Kriti on Ambika-Swara Saahithyam Amma Ninukori Kamas Kriti on Ambika Gaana Maalinchi Kalyana Vasantham Kriti on Ambika Sadhaa Thava Paadha Shanmukhapriya Kriti on Siva Bruhadheeswara Kaanada Kriti on Tanjore Bruhadheeswara Thripura Tharpa Mangalam on Siva Kamala Dhalaayatha Bahudhari Kriti on Nethra Soundharya Thillana Brundhaavani Thillana Thillana Chakravaaham Thillana Thillana Dhwijaawanthi Thillana Tamil Caranam Thillana Kunthalvaraali Thillana Tamil and Telugu Charanam Thillana Kathanakuthoohalam Thillana Thillana Garudadhwani Thillana Paanini Sutra Reference, Thillana Behag Thillana On Sri Thyagaraja Thillana Raagamaalika Thillana Amruthavarshini, Mohanam, Kaanada and Hindolam Thillana Raagamaalika Thillana Taaya Ragamaalika, Based on Sruthi Bedham Thillana Raagamaalika Thillana Pancha "Priya" Raagas, with Gathi Bedham Maamava Gaana Lola Rohini Kriti Ragam using two Madhyamas Gaana Lola Raagamaalika Kriti On Thirupathi Venkateswara Sangeethamae Kalyani Kriti About Music Nee Saati Neevae Chandrika Kriti on Ranga, Sankarabharana Sayanuda Sankarabharanam Kriti on Ranga Vegamae Abhogi Kriti on Ranga Hanuma Sarasangi Kriti on Hanuman Vandhe Maatharam Ranjani Kriti on Bharatham Gaana Sudha Rasa Naattai Kriti on Sri Thyagaraja Sama Gana Amritavarshini Kriti on Sri Thyagaraja Maragatha Simhasana Simhendra Madhyamam Kriti on Narasimha Simha Rupa Dheva Kambhoji Kriti on Narasimha Raja Raja Sankarabharanam Kriti on Sri Raghavendhra Chintayami satatam Sri Muttuswami Dikshitam Sucharitra Kriti on Muttuswami Dikshitar Ambamamava Raagamaalika Kriti Bangaaru Murali Sringaara Ravali Neelambari Kriti Sadaatava Paada Shanmukhapriya Kriti Bhaavame Mahaa Bhaagyamura Kaapi Kriti Film songs
Balamuralikrishna acted in few films and gave his voice to some selected songs in Indian cinema.[7]
References
- ^ Mangalampalli can't wait to come home
- ^ a b c d A musical colossus
- ^ Balamuralikrishna deserves Bharat Ratna: Jayalalithaa
- ^ "All I know is my style of music"
- ^ `Sangeetha Kalasarathy' conferred on Balamuralikrishna
- ^ French honour for Balamuralikrishna, The Hindu, May 03, 2005
- ^ Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna filmography at IMDb.
External links
Year Film Language Credits 1957 Sati Savitri Telugu Singer: Oho Ho Vilasala 1959 Jayabheri Telugu Suklaam Brahma Vichaara Saara Paramaam (Sloka) 1963 Karna Telugu Singer: Neevu Nenu Valachitimi Nandaname Eduruga Nilichitimi 1963 Nartanasala Telugu Singer: Salalitha Raga Sudharasa Saaram 1965 Dorikite Dongalu Telugu Singer: Tirupativasa Srivenkatesa 1965 Thiruvilayadal Tamil Singer: Oru Naal Pothuma 1966 Palnati Yudham Telugu Singer: Seelamu Galavari Chinavada 1967 Bhakta Prahlada Telugu Acted as Narada
Singer: Aadi Anaadiyu Neeve Deva Narada Sannuta Narayana,
Siri Siri Laali Chinnari Laali,
Varamosage Vanamali Naa Vanchitammu Neraverunuga1973 Andala Ramudu Telugu Singer: Paluke Banagamayera Andala Rama 1974 Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham Telugu Singer: Meluko Srirama Meluko Raghurama
Karunalola Narayana Sritajanapala Deenavana1975 Hamsageethe Kannada Music director and Singer 1975 Muthyala Muggu Telugu Singer: Srirama Jayarama Seetarama 1977 Kurukshetram Telugu Singer: Kuppinchi Egasina Kundalambula Kanthi (Padyam) 1977 Kavikkuyil Tamil Singer: Chinna Kannan Azhaikkiraan 1979 Guppedu Manasu Telugu Singer: Mauname Nee Bhasha O Mooga Manasa 1979 Nool Veli Tamil Singer: Mounathil Vilayadum 1982 Ente Mohangal Poovaninju Malayalam Singer: 1983 Adi Shankaracharya Sanskrit Music director 1983 Meghasandesam Telugu Singer: Paadana Vani Kalyaniga 1986 Madhvacharya Kannada Music director and Singer 1987 Swathi Thirunal Malayalam Singer: Moksha Mukalada
Winner, Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer1990 Muthina Haara Kannada Singer: Devaru Hoseda Premada Daara 1991 Bharatham Malayalam Singer: 1993 Bhagvad Gita Sanskrit Music director 1997 Priyamaina Srivaaru Telugu Singer: Jatakalu Kalisevela Jeevitalu Mugisaayi 2009 pasanga Tamil Singer: Anbaley Azhgagu Veedu 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: M. Balamuralikrishna - Murali and Me: A tribute to the Great Master by Prince Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma.
- Carnatic music maestro Balamuralikrishna and his favourite student Rama Varma sharing experiences.
- Dr. Balamuralikrishna on Tradition
- Dr. Balamuralikrishna with his musicians in Switzerland in 1992.
National Film Award for Best Music Direction 1968–1980 K. V. Mahadevan (1968) · Kalyanji Anandji (1969) · S. Mohinder (1970) · Madan Mohan (1971) · Jaidev (1972) · Sachin Dev Burman (1973) · Satyajit Ray (1974) · Ananda Shankar (1975) · Bhupen Hazarika (1976) · B. V. Karanth (1977) · B. V. Karanth (1978) · Jaidev (1979) · K. V. Mahadevan (1980)
1981–2000 Satyajit Ray (1981) · Khayyam (1982) · Ramesh Naidu (1983) · Ilaiyaraaja (1984) · Jaidev (1985) · Ilaiyaraaja (1986) · M. Balamuralikrishna (1987) · Vanraj Bhatia (1988) · Ilaiyaraaja (1989) · Sher Chowdhary (1990) · Hridayanath Mangeshkar (1991) · Rajat Dholakia (1992) · A. R. Rahman (1993) · Johnson (1994) · Ravi (Bombay) and Johnson (1995) · Hamsalekha (1996) · A. R. Rahman (1997) · M. M. Keeravani (1998) · Vishal Bhardwaj (1999) · Ismail Darbar (2000)
2001–present Anu Malik (2001) · A. R. Rahman (2002) · A. R. Rahman (2003) · Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (2004) · Vidyasagar (2005) · Lalgudi Jayaraman (2006) · Ashok Patki (2007) · Ouseppachan (2008) · Ajay-Atul (2009) · Amit Trivedi and Ilaiyaraaja (2010) · Vishal Bhardwaj and Isaac Thomas Kottukapally (2011)
Categories:- 1930 births
- Carnatic singers
- Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
- Indian Hindus
- Kanjira players
- Violists
- Kerala State Film Award winners
- Living people
- Recipients of the Padma Shri
- Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- Sangeetha Kalanidhi recipients
- Telugu people
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