M. Balamuralikrishna Biography 
M. Balamuralikrishna is one of the pioneers of Carnatic music. He is a music director, actor and playback singer also. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution towards Indian Art. He was made Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005. Apart from Padma Vibhushan, he has also received Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan. He is one of the top rated artists of All India Radio and given Top Grade for performance as well as instruments like violin, viola, mrudhingam, kanjira and music including classical music, light music, devotional music, composer, conductor, music director and poet.
In 1976, he received National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the Kannada song, "Himadri Suthe Pahimam" of Hamsageethe. In 1987, he received National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the movie - Madhavacharya. He has also received playback singer award at Kerala State Awards in the year 1987 for the movie, Swati Thirunal. Other honours include - Honorary Doctorate, Sangita Kalanidhi by Chennai Music Academy, Sangeetha Kalasarathy and Lifetime achievement Global Indian Music Academy Award for 2011.
Balamuralikrishna was born on July 6, 1930 in Madras Presidency. He was born in a musical family. Seeing his fascination to music, Muralikrishna was sent to Sri Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu to receive formal training in Carnatic music. At the age of eight, Balamuralikrishna gave his first full fledged concert at a Thyagaraja Aradhana, Vijayawada. By the age of fifteen he had mastered all the 72 melakartha ragas and had composed krithis as well. Janaka Raga Manjari was published in 1952.
Later he learnt kanjira, mridangam, viola and violin and became an expert in all these instruments as well. Till date, he has given over 25000 concerts worldwide and has accumulated praises from big names of Indian classical music including, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. He has also given jugalbandi concerts with many leading names. He has composed over 400 compositions in various languages.
Balamuralikrishna died at his residence in Chennai on 22 November 2016; he was 86.
Published: N/A
Updated: December 07, 2016
