M. Balamuralikrishna

M. Balamuralikrishna
Pandit Ji at Rajarani Music Festival, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Background information
Native name	మంగళంపల్లి బాలమురళీకృష్ణ
Birth name	Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
Born	6 July 1930 Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Madras Presidency, British India (now part of Andhra Pradesh, India)
Genres	Carnatic music
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Singing, viola, mridangam, kanjira
Years active	1938–present

Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna (Telugu: మంగళంపల్లి బాలమురళీకృష్ణ) (born 6 July 1930) is an Indian Carnatic vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, playback singer, composer and actor. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, for his contribution towards Indian Art. He was made Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005.^[1]

Early life

Balamurali Krishna was born in Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh state.^[2] His father was a well known musician and could play the flute, violin and the veena and his mother was an excellent veena player. His mother died when he was an infant and Balamuralikrishna was raised by his father. Observing his penchant for music, his father put him under the tutelage of Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu, a direct descendant^[3][4] of the shishya parampara of Tyagaraja.

Under his guidance, the young Balamuralikrishna learned 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'^[5] (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.^[6] Not merely content with his fame as a Carnatic vocalist, very soon started 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 started his career at the age of six. Up to the present time, he has given over 25,000 concerts worldwide.^[7] He accompanied Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. He also gave jugalbandi concerts with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Kishori Amonkar, among others. He is also known for popularising the compositions of Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu and Sri Annamacharya.

Concerts

M. Balamuralikrishna during Rajarani Music Festival at Bhubaneswar on 19 January 2013

Balamuralikrishna during a concert in Kuwait on 29 March 2006, accompanied by Mavelikkara Sathees Chandran (violin), Perunna G. Harikumar (mridangom), Manjoor Unnikrishnan (ghatam)

Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna and Ravi Joshi, during a concert in San Francisco, California, April 2014

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 the US, Canada, UK, Italy, France, Russia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Middle East and many more. Apart from his native tongue, Telugu, his works also include ones in other languages like Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi.

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 his authorisation 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.

In February 2010, he did a three-day concert in Visakhapatnam, a first in his career.^[8]

Cinema

Balamuralikrishna has composed over 400 compositions in various languages like Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil. His compositions range from Devotional to Varnams, Krithis, Javalis and Thillans, in all the fundamental 72 melakartha ragas to film music.

He made his acting debut with Bhakta Prahlada (1967) under AVM Productions as Narada, and has acted in various films.

Innovations

Balamuralikrishna performs in 2005

Characteristic of Balamuralikrishna's musical journey has been his non-conformism, spirit of experimentation and boundless creativity. 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.^[6] 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 "gati bhEdam" (గతి భేదం) in the "sashabda kriya" (సశబ్ద క్రియ) (actions in Talas, which can produce sound/shabda (శబ్ద) are called sashabda kriya - సశబ్ద క్రియ) 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 and definition. Thri Mukhi, Panchamukhi, Saptha Mukhi and Nava Mukhi are the basic classifications, he has named for his New Tala System.

Awards and honours

Civilian honours

• Padma Vibhushan
• Padma Bhushan
• Padma Shri

International honours

• Chevalier Rank Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Government (2005).^[1]

All India Radio

• Top Grade – Awarded "Top Grade" for performance areas

playing instruments: violin, viola, mrudhingam, kanjira, music:- classical music, light music, devotional music, composer, conductor, music director and poet.

National Film Awards

• 1976 – National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Hamsageethe – "Himadri Suthe Pahimam"
• 1987 – National Film Award for Best Music Direction – Madhavacharya

Kerala state film awards

• 1987-Best Male playback singer – Swathi Thirunal
• 2010-Best Classical Music Singer-Grammam

Other honours

• Honorary Doctorate
• Sangita Kalanidhi by The Music Academy, Madras
• Sangeetha Kalasikhamani by The Fine Arts Society, Chennai (1991)
• He was awarded the Lifetime achievement Global Indian Music Academy Award for 2011.^[9]
• Sangeetha Kalasarathy^[10]
• "Sangeetha Virinchi" tilte conferred by Sangeetha Bharathi music School, Auckland during Dr BMK concert "Raganga Ravali" in 2009 at Auckland, New Zealand^[11]

M. Balamuralikrishna in Telugu Book of Records

• http://www.telugubookofrecords.com/home/indian-carnatic-vocalist-playback-singermulti-instrumentalist-and-cator/

Selected compositions

Composition	Ragam	Type	Remarks
Omkaara Pranava	Shanmukhapriya	Pada Varnam
Amma Anandha dayini	Gambhiranata	Pada 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	Kalyanavasantam	Kriti	on Ambika
Sadhaa Thava Paadha	Shanmukhapriya	Kriti	on Siva
Bruhadheeswara	Kaanada	Kriti	on Tanjore Bruhadheeswara
Thripura Tharpa			Mangalam on Siva
Kamala Dhalaayatha	Bahudari	Kriti	on Nethra Soundharya
Thillana	Brundhaavani	Thillana
Thillana	Chakravaaham	Thillana
Thillana	Dhwijaawanthi	Thillana	Tamil Charanam
Thillana	Kunthalvaraali	Thillana	Tamil and Telugu Charanam
Thillana	Kathanakuthoohalam	Thillana
Thillana	Garudadhvani	Thillana	Paanini Sutra Reference,
Thillana	Behag	Thillana	On Sri Thyagaraja
Thillana	Ragamalika	Thillana	Amruthavarshini, Mohanam, Kaanada and Hindolam
Thillana	Ragamalika	Thillana	Taaya Ragamaalika, Based on Sruthi Bhedam
Thillana	Ragamalika	Thillana	Pancha "Priya" Raagas, with Gathi Bhedam
Maamava Gaana Lola	Rohini	Kriti	Ragam using two Madhyamas
Gaana Lola	Ragamalika	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 Yadhagiri 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	Ragamalika	Kriti	Ranjani-Niranjani – Janaranjani
Bangaaru Murali Sringaara Ravali	Neelambari	Kriti
Bhaavame Mahaa Bhaagyamura	Kapi	Kriti	Sri Thyagaraja to Balamuralikrishna-Guru Parampara
Paahi Sameera Kumaara	Mandari	Kriti	description of Panchamukha Hanuman

Film compositions

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

Year	Film	Language	Credits
1957	Sati Savitri	Telugu	Song: Oho Ho Vilasala
1959	Jayabheri	Telugu	Suklaam Brahma Vichaara Saara Paramaam (Sloka)
1963	Karna	Telugu	Song: Neevu Nenu Valachitimi Nandaname Eduruga Nilichitimi
1963	Nartanasala	Telugu	Song: Salalitha Raga Sudharasa Saaram
1965	Dorikite Dongalu	Telugu	Song: Tirupativasa Srivenkatesa
1965	Thanga Radham Vandhadhu	Tamil	Kalaikoil
1965	Uyyala Jampala	Telugu	Etiloni keratalu
1965	Thiruvilayadal	Tamil	Song: Oru Naal Pothuma
1966	Palnati Yudham	Telugu	Singer: Seelamu Galavari Chinavada
1966	Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu Katha	Telugu	Singer: Vasanta Gaaliki Valapulu rega
1967	Bhakta Prahlada	Telugu	Acted as Narada Song: Aadi Anaadiyu Neeve Deva Narada Sannuta Narayana, Siri Siri Laali Chinnari Laali, Varamosage Vanamali Naa Vanchitammu Neraverunuga
1968	Kodungallooramma'	Malayalam	Songs: Kodungallooramme Kaverippoompattanathil
1973	Andala Ramudu	Telugu	Song: Paluke Banagamayera Andala Rama
1974	Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham	Telugu	Song: Meluko Srirama Meluko Raghurama Karunalola Narayana Sritajanapala Deenavana
1975	Hamsageethe	Kannada	Music director and Singer
1975	Muthyala Muggu	Telugu	Song: Srirama Jayarama Seetarama
1977	Kurukshetram	Telugu	Song: Kuppinchi Egasina Kundalambula Kanthi (Padyam)
1977	Kavikkuyil	Tamil	Song: Chinna Kannan Azhaikkiraan
1979	Guppedu Manasu	Telugu	Song: Mauname Nee Bhasha O Mooga Manasa
1979	Nool Veli	Tamil	Song: Mounathil Vilayadum
1982	Ente Mohangal Poovaninju	Malayalam	Song:
1983	Adi Shankaracharya	Sanskrit	Music director
1983	Meghasandesam	Telugu	Song: Paadana Vani Kalyaniga
1986	Madhvacharya	Kannada	Music director and Singer
1987	Swathi Thirunal	Malayalam	Song: Moksha Mukalada Winner, Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer
1990	Muthina Haara	Kannada	Song: Devaru Hoseda Premada Daara
1991	Bharatham	Malayalam	Song: "Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani prasadham")
1993	Bhagvad Gita	Sanskrit	Music director
1994	Indhu/Pattasu	Tamil	Song: Nagumo
1997	Priyamaina Srivaaru	Telugu	Song: Jatakalu Kalisevela Jeevitalu Mugisaayi
2009	Pasanga	Tamil	Song: Anbaley Azhgagum Veedu
2015	"Prabha"	Tamil	Song; Poove Pesum Poove (Music Director - S. J. Jananiy)

References

1. "French honour for Balamuralikrishna". The Hindu. 3 May 2005. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
2. "Mangalampalli can't wait to come home". The Hindu. 1 March 2003. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
3. "Music for rains". The Hindu. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
4. "Ancient History of Andhras". 26 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
5. Sundaram, BM (26 October 2011). "A prodigy and a genius" (PDF).
6. Subramaniam, Garimella (6 July 2004). "A musical colossus". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
7. "Balamuralikrishna deserves Bharat Ratna: Jayalalithaa". The Hindu. 26 July 2005. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
8. Subrahmanyam, Velcheti (2 February 2012). "Master holds in hypnotic spell". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
9. "Award for Balamuralikrishna". The Hindu Business Line. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
10. "'Sangeetha Kalasarathy' conferred on Balamuralikrishna". The Hindu. 17 December 2002.
11. "Maestro enthralls audience". Indian Weekender (Auckland, New Zealand). 13 October 2009.

Further reading

• "There's no one way to teach". The Hindu. 28 February 2006.
• Swaminathan, Chitra (4 January 2008). "He defines 'style' as tradition". The Hindu.
• Khurana, Suanshu (2 September 2013). "God's Own Voice". The Financial Express.

External links

• Murali and Me: A tribute by Prince Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma.
• Balamuralikrishna with his musicians in Switzerland in 1992.
• Various devotional works of Balamuralikrishna.