If you watch a movie, called Baktha Prahalada, that released in 1967 in complete color you will find an unusual Narada in the film. He never again dawned such lengthy role nor did he try to munch on the success of the film and become an actor. He was there to represent Narada, the mythological eternal singer in a sense no one has ever presented him. Right from Eelapati Raghuramayya to Akkineni Nageswara Rao to Kantha Rao to Relangi Venkataramana, no one were able match to the rawness and act the song perfectly. He was no much for the acting caliber of these legends, still he was apt to play Narada, as he was and will ever be off the same class of singers equalling or even giving him toughest fight, he is none other than Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, the great Carnatic singer and legendary musician.
Balamuralikrishna was born in 1930, in Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District. He then moved to Chennai as a young kid who burst out on to the scene with talent to match to already established and distinguished greats. He learned to play violin, mrudangam and kanjira. He was one of those purists who never showed an aversion to pop music and western music. But he stood by Carnatic music and tried to popularise it more among the younger generation by doing experiments with various ragas and creating new ones like Sarvashri, Lavangi and Sumukham. He also helped M.S. Viswanadhan, the great popular music director, to create a song with Athisaya Ragam in Raga Mahati for film, Apoorva Ragangal.
He became a torch bearer and an inspiration for all the aspiring Carnatic singers. He achieved a lot from a very young age but never let that affect his music. He never let the glamour spoil his outlook towards his passion and never made an effort to be on screen or become a composer off screen when film music was taking over. He sticked to his guns of being a Carnatic Singer and gave many concerts with other accomplished musicians like Hariprasad Chaurasia in jugalbandi and accompanied Pandit Bheemsen Joshi in his concerts. He was raised by his father, Pattabhiramayya, after losing his mother, Sooryakanthamma, as an infant of two weeks.
His father was a violinist and until he saw potential in Balamuralikrishna, he never let him touch the instrument. He learnt violin by listening to his father play it. After knowing his penchant and passion, he helped him learning the instrument and mastering it. As an accomplished violin player, he played violin for Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar and learnt the art of modern day Carnatic concert format from him. He grew under the tutelage of Gayaka Sarvabhauma, Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu. Balamuralikrishna, gave his first concert at the age of 9 and became an A – lister, performer for All India Radio, at a very young age in the company of many distinguished singers. He sang his first song in Telugu Cinema for Sati Savitri, to Akkineni Nageswara Rao.
He then sang several songs whenever he was pleased and obligated by the popular personalities. He acted in Bhakta Prahlada because he was requested to play the role by AV Maiyappan and considering the man AVM was, he accepted the role and sang songs too. He was fluent in Sanskrit, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, Punjabi and Hindi. He composed music for Adi Shankaracharya, a Indian Sanskrit film. He worked on popularising Thaiyagaraja Keerthanas, Annamacharya and Ramadasu Sankeerthanas all his life. He used to play act the lyrics of the songs during his concert and it used to be the USP of his concerts.
He was awarded Sangita Kalanidhi by Music Academy. Indian Government felicitated him with Padma Vibhushan in 1991. French Government honoured him with Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Letters. He won National awards as a composer, play back singer and singer as well. Last night he passed away due to cardiac arrest at the age of 86 and survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters. Music has lost one of its purest souls and in this hour of mourn, we wish and pray that his soul Rest in Peace and his legacy continues in the form of his prodigies. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, a true legend and a great singer, world misses your presence, sur!
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