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.

 

CARTOONS OF MARIO

MARIO MIRANDA

During 1970, I was very much inspired the drawings by Mario Miranda. I saw his cartoons mostly in the Illustrated Weekly and I used to draw his cartoons during my leisure time. It was always given me immense pleasure. Now, I have developed a passion for drawing, though I am a learner.

HUMOUR IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Humour is the chief source of his cartoons. Every small detail will inspire people largely. 

AWARDS

He was awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards of Indian Government. He published several books. His work is incomparable even now.

THE DRAWINGS IN THIS PAGE IS MY DRAWING BASED ON MARIO'S CARTOON:

COURTALLAM WATER FALLS

COURTALLAM FALLS

As my birth place is in the Tirunelveli District I am very much fond of taking bath in Courtallam and other nearby falls. During my boyhood days, we lived in Tirunelveli, I used to take bath and swim in the nearby Tamirabarani river or nearby wells surrounded by paddy fields, with my neighbourhood friends, Samynathan, Mohan or Murugan at least two times a day without the knowledge of my parents. I had been great passion in taking bath in the falls at Papanasam, Manimuthar and Courtallam since my twenties. 

When we had shifted to our native, Viravanallur, a town  panchayat, I accompanied my own mama Ganesan & my sithappa  Sankarakumar with other friends, all of them were in the same age group, frequently went to the Manimuthar falls by our own bicycle, which was the cheapest mode of transportation ever. We had taken bath and sharing our foods we brought from our home.  Some times we went to Manimuthar falls by " Ex service men bus " (managed by Ex service men) which run between Tirunelveli and Karayar, with accurate time management.  In some rare occasion or when we missed the direct bus, Ganesan and me, we both had gone to Manimuthar dam by bus, and from there we walked over the distance of five to six kilometers to reach Manimuthar falls.

Tour to Courtallam was the most expensive in that age, which we couldn't bear very often from our pocket money. We used to go to Courtallam once in a year or two,  had gone by bus and stayed in the choultry of our own community or any other cheapest room avalilable in large number of bungalows there. That was the cheapest method of organising a tour, which we could matched at that time. Taking bath in the different falls of the Courtallam in numerous time, was our fascinating one.

Courtallam is the most fascinating fresh water falls in the country. No other falls can be compared with the enthralling and exciting nature of Courtallam falls. One Thirikooda Rasapa Kavirayar in his " Kuthala Kuravanchi" described the beauty of Courtallam water falls. There are more than seven falls in the vicinity of five to seven kilometres. All of them are fresh water falls runs through the Western ghat hills. The peak season is the June to August of every year, during south west monsoon. 

COURTALLAM FIVE FALLS

 

 

 

 

 

          

COURTALLAM MAIN FALLS FULL VIEW

  On my 40th years of age,  I had been working as a Forester in Courtallam and Shencottai for more than seven years, which given great experience and worth to be shared.

PERUNTHALAIVAR KAMARAJAR

KAMARAJAR 

Last 15^th July is the birthday of Perunthalaivar Kamarajar.  The legendary leader of Tamilnadu of India has been ever memorable even for another 100 years.  He was a strong man of democracy. He did not compromise with any kind of pressure.

During 1946 he was elected as Congress President of Madras Presidency.  Then Madras Presidency consists of entire Tamilnad, Part of Kerala, Entire unified Andhra Pradesh, Parts of Odisha and Lakesdaweep island. The same time during 1946 Andhra Kessari (Lion of ‘Andhral) Mr Prakasam was elected as assembly member and he was the prime contestant  for the Premier of Madras Presidency. Kamarajar was called from Delhi, he went to Delhi.  There he met Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, who lived in the heart of the majority of the Indian people.  Nehru advised Mr Kamarajar, not to select Mr Prakasam as the Premier of Madras Presidency.  Then Mr Kamarajar went to meet Mr Sarthar Valaboi Patel, who was the most  powerful leader in the All India Congress Committee,  he was as powerful as to keep the congress in his shirt pocket.  He said, “Kamarj, select any one as the Premier of Madras Presidency, but not Mr Prakasam, It was not only my wish but also the wishes of Mr Gandhi also”.  Kamarajar silently watched his words and not minced any words. 

Then he met the All India Congress Committee President,  Maulana Abul Kalam Ajad.  Maulana Azad was known for his discipline and he followed the concepts of Quaran strictly. He also advised Kamarajar not to select Prakasam as Premier of Madras Presidency, he added that Kamarajar might convince all the congress assembly members in such a way. Kamarajar silently observed his advice and return to Madras.

When he returned from Delhi, he met all the assembly member of Congress and observed that the majority of the assembly members were in favor of Andhra Kesari Prakasam of the Premier Post.  Then Kamarajar declared  Mr Prakasam as Premier, despite the opinions of the top level leaders without any fear. 

That was the courage of Kamarajar to shape the democratic norms.