G. N. Balasubramaniam

Gudalur Narayanaswamy Balasubramaniam (6 January 1910 – 1 May 1965), popularly known as GNB, was an Indian Carnatic singer. He innovated the art through emphasis on laya control and reducing the gamakas which eventually made Carnatic music appeal to the lay and the learned alike.

Administrative role GNB worked as the Deputy Chief Producer of Carnatic Music, in A.I.R Chennai for a number of years alongside Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer who was the Chief Producer for Carnatic Music, and Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna who was the Producer for Light Music. GNB joined the Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala as Principal in March 1964.

Personal life He described the world of music as a perilous jungle and discouraged his sons and daughters from learning it. His health deteriorated after a major stroke in the late 1950s. He died on 1 May 1965, aged 55.

Compositions (partial list)

Composition Type Raga Tala Language Other Info Amboruha Padame Varnam Ranjani Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Bharama Baluni Krithi Hamsanadam Adi Telugu In praise of Parashakthi Bhuvanatreya Krithi Mohanam Adi Sanskrit In praise of Sasta Enn Manathamarai Krithi Ritigoulam Adi Tamil In praise of Shakti Entho Muralida Krithi Kanada Rupakam Telugu In praise of Shakti Gathi Veravarama Krithi Bhairavi Misrachapu Telugu In praise of Kamakshi Intha Paraaku Neeve Krithi Bhairavi Adi Telugu In praise of Bhairavi Kamala Charane Krithi Amruthabehag Adi Sanskrit In praise of Shakti Karimukha Varada Krithi Naatai Adi Sanskrit In praise of Ganesha Karuna Jooda Radha Krithi Sahana Adi Telugu In praise of Parashakthi Kavalai Ellam Krithi Saraswati Adi Tamil In praise of Shakthi Madhurapuri Kalyani Krithi Purvi Kalyani Misrachapu Sanskrit In praise of Shakthi Manasaraga Krithi Abhogi Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Marivere Gathi Krithi Malavi Adi Telugu In praise of Prashakthi Maravakune Ninnu Krithi Arabhi Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Nakabhaya Vara Krithi Naataikurinji Rupakam Telugu In praise of Parashakthi Nee Charanambhujamunu Krithi Keeravani Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Nee Daya Raadaa Varnam Andolika Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Nee Padame Gati Krithi Nalinakanthi Rupakam Telugu In praise of Shakthi Nee Samanamevaru Krithi Shubhapanthuvarali Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Nirvadhi Sukhadayaki Krithi Malayamarutham Rupakam Telugu In praise of Shakthi Paritaapamu Ieka Krithi Shanmukhapriya Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Paraanmukhamela Krithi Kaanada Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Paramakrupasaagari Krithi Yadukulakambhoji Rupakam Telugu In praise of Shakthi Ranjani Niranjani Krithi Ranjani Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Sada Palaya Sarasakshi Krithi Mohanam Adi Sanskrit In praise of Shakthi Santhathamu Ninne Korithini Krithi Valaj Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Saraswati Namostute Krithi Saraswati Rupakam Sanskrit In praise of Saraswati Shankara Mahadeva Krithi Devamanohari Adi Telugu In praise of Shakthi Chakra Raja Nilaye Krithi Siva Sakthi Adi Sanskrit In praise of Shakthi Shivananda kamavardhani Krithi Kamavardani Adi Sanskrit In praise of Shakthi Vara Vallabha Ramana Krithi Hamsadhwani Adi Sanskrit In praise of Ganesha