M. Balamuralikrishna

Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna (né Muralikrishna; 6 July 1930 – 22 November 2016) was an Indian Carnatic vocalist, musician, multi-instrumentalist, playback singer, composer, and character actor. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1978. He has garnered two National Film Awards (1976, 1987), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1975, the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor in 1991, for his contribution towards arts, the Mahatma Gandhi Silver Medal from UNESCO in 1995, the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005, the Sangeetha Kalanidhi by Madras Music Academy, and the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani in 1991, by the Fine Arts Society, Chennai to name a few.

Balamuralikrishna started his career at the age of six. In his life-time, he gave over 25,000 concerts worldwide. Apart from Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, he presented jugalbandi concerts (duets) with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and Kishori Amonkar, among others. He is also known for popularizing the compositions of Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu, Sri Annamacharya, and others.

Balamuralikrishna's concerts combined sophisticated vocal skills and rhythmic patterns of classical music with the popular demand for entertainment value. Balamuralikrishna presented concerts in many countries, including the US, Canada, UK, Italy, France, Russia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, countries in the Middle East, and elsewhere. Apart from his native tongue, Telugu, he has also composed in other languages including Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi.

He appeared as a 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 had 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.

Early life M. Balamuralikrishna during Rajarani Music Festival at Bhubaneswar on 19 January 2013 Balamuralikrishna was born in a Brahmin family at Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Madras Presidency (now a part of Andhra Pradesh state). His father, Mangalampalli Pattabhiramayya, was a well known musician and his mother, Suryakanthamma, was a veena player. Balamuralikrishna's mother died when he was an infant and he was raised by his father. Observing his interest in music, his father put him under the tutelage of Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu, a direct descendant of the shishya parampara (lineage of disciples) of Tyagaraja. Under his guidance, the young Balamuralikrishna learned Carnatic music. At the age of eight, he gave his first full-fledged concert at a Thyagaraja Aradhana in Vijayawada. Musunuri Suryanarayana Murty Bhagavatar, a Harikatha performer, saw the musical talent in him and gave the prefix "Bala" (lit. child) to the young Balamuralikrishna. (Prior to this, his name was Muralikrishna; following Bhagavatar's addition of the prefix, he began to be known as Balamuralikrishna.)

Having begun his musical career at a very young age, by age fifteen he had mastered all the 72 melakartha ragas and had composed krithis in each of them. His Janaka Raga Manjari was published in 1952 and recorded as Raagaanga Ravali in a nine-volume series by the Sangeeta Recording Company. Not merely content with his fame as a Carnatic vocalist, he also played the kanjira, mridangam, viola, and violin. He accompanied various musicians on the violin. He also presented solo viola concerts. He was the person who introduced viola to classical Indian music.

Experimentation

Characteristic of Balamuralikrishna's musical journey have been his non-conformism, spirit of experimentation, and boundless creativity. Balamuralikrishna has experimented with the Carnatic music system by keeping its rich tradition untouched. Ragas such as Ganapathi, Sarvashri, Mahati, Lavangi etc. are credited to him. The ragas which he invented represent his quest for new frontiers. Ragas such as Lavangi are set to three or four notes in ascending and descending scale.

He also innovated in the tala (rhythm) system. He has incorporated "gati bhEdam" (గతి భేదం) in the "sashabda kriya" (సశబ్ద క్రియ). Actions that can produce sound/shabda (శబ్ద) in talas are called sashabda kriya – సశబ్ద క్రియ and are a part of the existing Tala chain. New chains are possible, too. 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 and definition. Trimukhi, Panchamukhi, Saptamukhi, and Navamukhi are the basic classifications in his New Tala System.

He gave his authorisation to S. Ram Bharati to found "Academy of Performing Arts and Research" in Switzerland. He also worked on music therapy. After his death, his family started a trust in his name 'Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna Memorial Trust' to honor and keep his legacy alive. He was also one of the few composers to have composed in all 72 melakarta ragas and created several ragas using four or three notes, as well as a new tala system. His compositions encompass every genre in Carnatic Music including Varnas, Krithis, Thillanas, Bhavageethas.

Cinema Balamuralikrishna during a concert in Kuwait on 29 March 2006, accompanied by Mavelikkara Sathees Chandran (violin), Perunna G. Harikumar (mridangam), Manjoor Unnikrishnan (ghatam) Balamuralikrishna has sung in several films in Telugu, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil. He made his acting debut with the Telugu film Bhakta Prahlada (1967) as Narada, and has acted in a few other films in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.

Death

Balamuralikrishna died at his residence in Chennai on 22 November 2016; he was 86. He died in deep sleep at around five in the evening, due to a cardiac arrest. He was cremated with full state honours at Besant Nagar Crematorium in Chennai the very next day. Thousands attended his funeral. He is survived by three daughters and three sons who are all Doctors. His wife, Smt. Annapurna, outlived him for three months, and died on 16 February 2017.

Legacy His family has formed the Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna Memorial Trust to represent him after his death.

Awards and honours Civilian honours Padma Shri (1971) Padma Bhushan

Padma Vibhushan (1991) Best Music Direction for the Kannada film Madhvacharya (1986)

Kerala State Film Award Best singer for Swathi Thirunal (1987) Best Classical Music Singer for Gramam (2010)

Tamil Nadu State Film Award Best Male Playback singer for Pasanga (2009)

Other honours Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1975) Sangeetha Kalanidhi by Madras Music Academy (1978) Raja-Lakshmi Award in 1980 by Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation in Chennai Doctor of Letters from Shri Venkateshwara University (1981) Mahatma Gandhi Silver Medal from UNESCO (1995) Natya Kalasikhamani The Fine Arts Society, Chennai (2001) "Sangeetha Virinchi" title conferred by Sangeetha Bharathi music School, Auckland, New Zealand (2009) Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Indian Music Academy Awards (2011) First Citizen Award from Vijayawada City "Wisdom Man of the Year" (1992) "Naada Maharishi" by the Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society (1996) A documentary film, The Melody Man, was made on his life by the Government of India Films Division. The film was directed by National award winner Director Gul Bahar Singh. Telugu Book of Records honoured him for Telugu Legendary Personality in 2014 at Vijayawada

Ragas created Ragam Scale RemarksRef. Ganapati Arohanam: S G2 P S

Avarohanam: S P G2 S Lavangi Arohanam: S R1 M1 D1 S Avarohanam: S D1 M1 R1 S Sarvasri (Trishakti) Arohanam: S M1 P S

Avarohanam: S P M1 SRenamed to Trishakti Mahati Arohanam: S G3 P N2 S Avarohanam: S N2 P G3 S Pushkara Godavari Arohanam: S R2 M1 D2 S

Avarohanam: S D2 M1 R2 SOn the occasion of Godavari Pushakaras Jaya Jaya Lalitha In honor of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa

Talas created

The 'Mukhi' Tala system builds on the traditional Adhi Tala or Chathusra Jaathi Triputa Tala ( I 0 0 ), however the first kriya or mukha (meaning face) of each anga takes the gathi of its tala name and the rest in chathusra gathi. For example: Panchamukhi – the first kriya of each anga will be in kanda gathi and so the tala consists of 35 Matras (5 + 4 + 4 + 4

Following this method, four Talas can be generated: This scheme can be extended across all 35 sooladi thalas, however currently these four are in practice.

Compositions:

There have been many pallavis set to panchamukhi Tala such as ' Isai inbathirku ēdillaye ivulakil – sentamil' in ragam Lathangi composed by Amrutha Venkatesh and ' Aadi Vaa, Pirai Soodi Vaa, Aalavaai Naathane' in ragam Abheri composed by Rameshvaidya and tuned by S.J Jananiy and also others in Bilahari, Thodi and Kalyani composed by Dr. Balamuralikrishna himself.

There have also been Alarippus composed for Bharathanatyam in Panchamukhi.

Selected compositions Composition RagamTypeDeity/Saint Remarks Omkaara Pranava ShanmukhapriyaVarnamGanesha Amma Anandha Dayini GambhiranataVarnam Ye NaadhamuNaataVarnam Chalamu ChaesinaRamapriyaVarnam Aapaala GopaalamuAmritavarshiniVarnam Ninu Nera NammithiKharaharapriyaVarnam Entha SudinameShankarabharanamVarnam Vesariti NeeveKhamasVarnam Saraguna GaavamuHanumatodiVarnam Saakaara SadgunaRaga Svarashtram(Combination of Sourashtram, Chakravakam and Suryakantham)Varnam Sri Sakala Ganadhipa PalayamamAarabhiKriti Three Pallavis on Ganapathy, Maaruthi and Krishna MahadevasuthamAarabhiKritiGanesha Gam Gam GanapathimGanapathiKrition Ganapathi-Tri Tonal Raga: Sa Ga Pa GanaadhipamNattaiKriti Pirai Aniyum PerumaanHamsadhvaniKriti Uma Sutham NamaamiSarvasriKrition Ganapathi-Tri Tonal Raga: Sa Ma Pa Mahaneeya NamasulivaeSumukhamKrition Ganapathi-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Ni Omkara kariniLavangiKritiDurgaTetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Ma Dha Sidhdhi NaayakenaAmritavarshiniKritiGanesha Sidhdhim Dhehi MaeSidhdhiKrition Ganapathi-Tri Tonal Raga: Sa Ri Dha Heera GanapathikiSuratiKriti Mahaneeya Madhura MoorthaeMahathiKritiGuruOde to Guru-Tetra Tonal Raga: Sa Ga PA Ni Guruni SmarimpumoHamsavinodhiniKritiGuruOde to Guru Varuha VaruhaPanthuvaraaliKritiKartikeya Thunai NeeyaeCharukesiKriti Nee Dhaya RaadhaPoorvikalyaniKritiDurga Gathi NeeveKalyaniKriti Siva GangaNagasvaravaliKriti Maa MaaniniThodiKrition Ambika-Swara Saahithyam Amma NinukoriKamasKriti Gaana MaalinchiKalyanavasantamKriti Sadhaa Thava PaadhaShanmukhapriyaKritiShiva BruhadheeswaraKaanadaKritiComposed on Brihadeeswarar in Thanjavur Thripura Tharpa Mangalam on Siva Kamala DhalaayathaBahudariKriti on Nethra Soundharya ThillanaBrundhaavaniThillana Telugu Charanam ThillanaChakravaahamThillana ThillanaDhwijaawanthiThillana Tamil Charanam ThillanaKunthalvaraaliThillana Tamil and Telugu Charanam ThillanaKathanakuthoohalamThillana ThillanaGarudadhvaniThillana Paanini Sutra Reference, ThillanaBehagThillanaTyagaraja ThillanaRagamalikaThillana Amritavarshini, Mohanam, Kannada and Hindolam ThillanaRagamalikaThillana Taaya Ragamaalika, Based on Sruthi Bhedam ThillanaRagamalikaThillana Pancha "Priya" Raagas, with Gathi Bhedam Maamava Gaana LolaRohiniKriti Ragam using two Madhyamas Gaana LolaRagamalikaKritiVishnuComposed on Venkateshvara in Tirumala SangeethamaeKalyaniKriti About Music Nee Saati NeevaeChandrikaKritiVishnu Sankarabharana SayanudaSankarabharanamKriti VegamaeAbhogiKriti HanumaSarasangiKritiHanuman Vandhe MaatharamRanjaniKritiBharat Mata Gaana Sudha RasaNaattaiKritiTyagaraja Sama GanaAmritavarshiniKriti Maragatha SimhasanaSimhendra MadhyamamKritiVishnuon Yadhagiri Narasimha Simha Rupa DhevaKambhojiKrition Narasimha Raja RajaSankarabharanamKritiRaghavendra Tirtha Chintayami satatam Sri Muttuswami DikshitamSucharitraKritiMuthuswami Dikshitar AmbamamavaRagamalikaKriti Ragas: Ranjani, Niranjani and Janaranjani Bangaaru Murali Sringaara RavaliNeelambariKritiKrishnaComposed on Krishna in Udupi Bhaavame Mahaa BhaagyamuraKapiKriti Sri Thyagaraja to Balamuralikrishna-Guru Parampara Paahi Sameera Kumaara MandariKritiHanuman description of Panchamukha HanumanVasama DharmavathiKritiTripura Sundari prayer on Lalita Devi

Albums and songs Balamuralikrishna has composed songs few albums and has sung, list of albums and songs below

Film compositions Balamuralikrishna acted in few films and gave his voice to some selected songs in Indian cinema.

Singer Film songs Year Film Language Song Music director Co-singer1957 Sati Savitri Telugu Narayanathe Namo Namo S. V. Venkatraman Poyenayyo Ippudu Kshtriya Jaati Butti Kurula Soubhagyambu Kanudammul Aluka Vahinchena Vividhayudha 1959 Jayabheri Telugu Suklaam Brahma Vichaara Saara Paramaam (Sloka) Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1962 Swarna Gowri Kannada Natavara Gangaadhara Umashankara M. Venkataraju Jaya Jaya Narayana 1 Jaya Jaya Narayana 2 1962 Swarna Gowri Telugu Palinchu Prabhuvula (Padyam) M. Venkataraju Jaya Jaya Narayana 1 Jaya Jaya Narayana 2 1963 Nartanasala Telugu Salalitha Raga Sudharasa Saaram S. Dakshinamurthi Bangalore Latha1964 Karna Telugu Punyame Idhiyanchu (Padyam) Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy & R. Govardhanam Kunthiyu Andharu Puthrulu (Padyam) Neevu Nenu Valachithime P. Susheela Varalu Shanthashurulu (Padyam) Shanthimbondhuta Neekun (Padyam) Maranamme Yenchi Kalathapadu (Padyam) Nanne Telusuko (Padyam) Thana Dharmarakthitho Sigguche Yerupekke 1964 Mahiravana Telugu Prabhavinchinanthane Bhaskaru (Padyam) S. Rajeswara Rao Ghantasala Sree Anjaneyam Prasannanjaneyam (Slokam) 1964 Ramadasu Telugu Mogisi Japayagnamulu (Padyam) G. Ashwathama & Chittor V. Nagaiah Chorulu Korani Nidhiyai (Padyam) Ye Mahaneeya Tejudu (Padyam) Sri Rama Manthrambhu (Padyam) 1965 Dorikite Dongalu Telugu Tirupativasa Srivenkatesa S. Rajeswara Rao P. Susheela & Bangalore Latha 1965 Kalai Kovil Tamil Thanga Radham Vandhadhu Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy P. Susheela 1965 Pandava Vanavasam Telugu Sri Vishnum Jagatham Ghantasala 1965 Thiruvilayadal Tamil Oru Naal Pothuma K. V. Mahadevan 1965 Uyyala Jampala Telugu Etiloni Keratalu Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1966 Palnati Yudham Telugu Seelamu Galavari Chinavada S. Rajeswara Rao P. Susheela Rati Cheti Rachiluka P. Susheela 1966 Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu Katha Telugu Vasanta Gaaliki Valapulu Rega Pendyala Nageswara Rao S. Janaki 1966 Sadhu Mirandal Tamil Arulvaaye Nee Arulvaaye T. K. Ramamoorthy 1967 Bhakta Prahlada Telugu Aadi Anaadiyu Neeve Deva Narada Sannuta Narayana S. Rajeswara Rao S. Janaki Siri Siri Laali Chinnari Laali S. Janaki Varamosage Vanamali Naa Vanchitammu Neraverunuga 1967 Bhakta Prahlada Tamil Aadi Anaadiyu Neeye Deva Narada Sannuta Narayana S. Rajeswara Rao S. Janaki Chinna Chinna Kanne S. Janaki Aadhi Anaadhiyum Neeye 1967 Gruhalakshmi Telugu Madhana Janaka Giridhaari S. Rajeswara Rao 1967 Shiva Leelalu Telugu Okataipodhama Nedokataiodhama K. V. Mahadevan & T. Chalapathi Rao 1968 Kodungallooramma Malayalam Kodungallooramme K. Raghavan Kaverippoompattanathil P. Susheela 1968 Pedaraasi Peddamma Katha Telugu Siva Manoranjanee Varapaanee S. P. Kodandapani 1968 Veeranjaneya Telugu Nava Ragame Saagenule S. Rajeswara Rao Ghantasala & P. B. Srinivas Rama Nee Namamubayataarakamayya (Padyam) Ghantasala & P. B. Srinivas 1969 Suba Dhinam Tamil Puttham Pudhu Meni K. V. Mahadevan P. Susheela1970 Kann Malar Tamil Odhuvaar Un Peyar K. V. Mahadevan Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Ambalathu Nadaraja S. Janaki 1970 Yamalokapu Gudachari Telugu Idhe Jeevitham Velugu Needala Dheepam V. Siva Reddy 1971 Pavitra Hrudayalu Telugu Karunamaya Sarada T. Chalapathi Rao Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana1971 Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam Telugu Kasturi Tilaka S. Rajeswara Rao Thera Theeyaraa 1973 Andala Ramudu Telugu Paluke Banagamayera Andala Rama K. V. Mahadevan Madhavapeddi Satyam & J. V. Raghavulu Sri Shankara 1975 Hamsageethe Kannada M. Balamuralikrishna 1975 Muthyala Muggu Telugu Srirama Jayarama Seetarama K. V. Mahadevan & Sajjad Hussain Sri Raghavam Dasharadhathmaja Maprameyam 1975 Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Telugu Meluko Srirama Meluko Raghurama K. V. Mahadevan P. Leela Karunalola Narayana Sritajanapala Deenavana Kshmame Kadha 1976 Dharma Nirnayam Telugu Sirasa Nahi Nahire M. Janardhan 1976 Iddaru Iddare Telugu Amlana Pushp Sankeernam (Slokam) K. Chakravarthy 1977 Kurukshetram Telugu Kuppinchi Egasina Kundalambula Kanthi (Padyam) S. Rajeswara Rao 1977 Kavikkuyil Tamil Chinna Kannan Azhaikkiraan Ilaiyaraaja Aayiram Kodi 1977 Muthyala Pallaki Telugu Thillana Satyam S. Janaki1977 Navarathinam Tamil Kuruvikkara Machane Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Vani Jairam Palukku Kanda Sa Kerugu Vani Jairam1977 Poojakkedukkatha Pookkal Malayalam Kannante Kavilil Nin K. Raghavan Nabhassil Mukilinte Saarasaaksha Paripaalayamaamayi 1977 Suprabadham Tamil Vada Thisaiyil M. S. Viswanathan Vani Jairam 1977 Uyarnthavargal Tamil Raman Neeye Shankar–Ganesh 1978 Sati Savitri Telugu Sri Karamulie Ghantasala & Pendyala Nageswara Rao Lalithe Sivasaroopya (Slokam) 1979 Guppedu Manasu Telugu Mauname Nee Bhasha O Mooga Manasa M. S. Viswanathan 1979 Nool Veli Tamil Mounathil Vilayadum M. S. Viswanathan 1979 Sri Madvirata Parvam Telugu Jeevithame Krishna Sangeetamu S. Dakshinamurthi Aadave Hamsagamana 1981 Deiva Thirumanangal Tamil Thangam Vairam K. V. Mahadevan, M. S. Viswanathan & G. K. Venkatesh Vani Jairam1982 Ekalavya Telugu Pradhamamuna K. V. Mahadevan Sarva Jeevula Yaakundedu 1982 Ente Mohangal Poovaninju Malayalam Chakkini Raaja V. Dakshinamoorthy S. Janaki Manasuna Neekai Maruthogo... Raghuvaranum K. J. Yesudas & S. Janaki1982 Mantralaya Raghavendra Vaibhavam Telugu Chuthamu Randi Kalyanam Yennadu Chitti Babu Karuna Deepam Veligenu Manishiki 1982 Meghasandesam Telugu Paadana Vani Kalyaniga Ramesh Naidu 1982 Thaai Mookaambikai Tamil Thaaye Moogambikaiye Ilaiyaraaja M. S. Viswanathan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & S. Janaki 1983 Adi Shankaracharya Sanskrit M. Balamuralikrishna 1983 Kaman Pandigai Tamil Kalai Nilaa Aadinaal Shankar–Ganesh 1983 Miruthanga Chakravarthi Tamil Idhu ketka thigatttatha Gaanam M. S. Viswanathan 1986 Madhvacharya Kannada M. Balamuralikrishna 1986 Mahasakthi Mariamman Tamil Magarandham Paaloorum K. V. Mahadevan Thhayaai Irukkum 1986Isai Paadum ThendralTamilRaghuvara NinnuIlaiyaraajaK. J. Yesudas & S. Janaki1986 Sree Narayana Guru Malayalam Udaya Kunkumam G. Devarajan Mizhimuna Kondu 1987 Swathi Thirunal Malayalam Moksha Mukalada M. B. Sreenivasan Pannakendra Sayana K. J. Yesudas & Neyyattinkara Vasudevan Jamuna Kinaare Bhaja Bhaja Manasa Entharo 1989 Thalaivanukkor Thalaivi Tamil Kelvi Rendu M. Balamuralikrishna 1990 Ankitham Telugu Sangeetha Ganga Tharangalalo Yuvaraj S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 1990 Muthina Haara Kannada Devaru Hoseda Premada Daara Hamsalekha K. S. Chithra 1991 Bharatham Malayalam "Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani prasadham") Raveendran K. J. Yesudas & K. S. Chithra 1993 Bhagvad Gita Sanskrit M. Balamuralikrishna 1994 Indhu Tamil Nagumo Deva 1997 Priyamaina Srivaaru Telugu Jatakalu Kalisevela Jeevitalu Mugisaayi Vandemataram Srinivas 2009 Pasanga Tamil Anbaley Azhgagum Veedu James Vasanthan Sivaangi Krishnakumar 2015 Prabha Tamil Poove Pesum Poove S. J. Jananiy

Television songs

Composer