MANGALAMPALLI BALAMURALI KRISHNA

Dr Balamurali Krishna

Childhood

He was born in the then unified Andhra Pradesh which was the part of Madras Presidency. He was a born musician. From his six years until his death, he has given over 25000 concerts worldwide. He was a very simple man, got eight doctorates, out of which two are from West Bengal. In Bengal, he was a very popular musician. 

His first major concert was in a temple in Vijayawada when he was 6 to 8 years old. His Guruji was the great grand disciple of Thiagaraja. Balamurali Krishna went his Guriji’s house and learn music.

Legendary Musician

When he attained 14 to 16 years old, he composed 72 melakarthi. Traditional ragas were with 5 ragas. But Balamurali Krishna made it with 3 or 4 ragas. He played Viola, as for his observations Viola is the male instrument, while Violine is the female instrument. He was never practiced music in his home. Surprisingly, none of his relatives never saw him, when he had  practiced the music. He was a born genius. He never went to school except for a few days, but he studied only with Guriji in his Gurukulam. He was very fond of English hence he had learned English. He knows many languages. He had contributed a big lot in the world of music.

Film Songs

In Tamil cinema, he sang many famous songs china Kannan azhaikiran, Oru naalpodhuma and Thangaratham vanthathu. On one concert of Mr Illayaraja on December 28, 2011, at Nehru Stadium at Chennai, Dr Balamurali Krishna on his eighties sang "china Kannan azhaikiran "with a huge applause from the people. Illayaraja was the original composer of the great song.

Last Moment

Some months before his demise, I saw him in a concert in the Arulmigu Kalpaleewarar Temple, Mylapore. He looked as usual and I heard his concert more than half an hour. He looked as usual and worn his customary clothes. The same voice of the master musician ringing my ears.