A Tradition of Recognising Excellence - M. Balamuralikrishna - Parvathi Ramanavami Concert 1971

Parvathi felicitating Maestro M. BalamuraliKrishna 1971

Soon after starting the Ramanavami festival in the 60s, Mr. K. Srikantiah made a concerted effort to attract the best of musicians and felicitated them. Thus it was that in 1971, Vid. M. Balamuralikrishna was handsomely felicitated in the presence of several connoisseurs and musicians. 

We are sharing this concert recording from 1971 as our blog's penultimate tribute to Sri.K.Srikatiah's memory among rasikas and musicians world over for his immense service to the cause of art and Mysore rasikas.

Keenly aware of the occasion then, BMK also performed a stellar concert in the company of the best of artistes, viz. Vid. M. Chandrasekharan, Vid. Umalaypuram Sivaraman and Vid. Vikku Vinayakram. His Chandrika raga alapana, followed by his own composition, was received with many appreciative murmurs. His treatment of Devadi Deva had established his stardom already in Mysore, being applauded by the composer himself! Here, he rendered it with the same gusto. "Chandru" followed the mood and method assiduously. Kharaharapriya was a favourite of Sri. K. Srikantiah and the raga and song would have surely thrilled him. All in all, this concert has the stamp of BMK, full of melody and inventiveness. 

Vid. Umayalpuram Sivaraman,  recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Sangeeta Kalanidhi among several titles, celebrated completing 80 years of performing in concerts very recently, by playing in the Kalahasteeshvara Temple, Kumbhakonam, where he had his arangetram in 1935! Our felicitations to the doyen of percussion art. 

M.Balamuralikrishna --------------- Vocal 
M. Chandrasekharan---------------- Violin
Umayalpuram Sivaraman --------- Mridangam
T.H. Vinayakram ---------------------- Ghatam
Date: 7th April 1971 - held at the Parvathi Ramanavami Pandal

1. Endaro Mahanubhavulu - Sriraga - Thyagaraja
2. Enta Muddo - Bindumalini - Thyagaraja
3. Nee Sati Neeve Ranga - Chandrika - Balamuralikrishna
4. Peridi Ninnu - Kharaharapriya - Thyagaraja
5. Paramapavanamu - Kedaragaula - Balamuralikrishna
6. Devadi Deva - Sunada Vinodini - Mysore Vasudevacharya
7. Tani
8. Jagodaddharana - Kapi - Purandaradasa
9. Naapaali Sreerama - Shankarabharanam - Thyagaraja
10. Ya Ramita - Patdeep - Jayadeva
11. Sita Kalyana - Kurinji - Thyagaraja
12. Thillana - Kadanakuthuhalam - Balamuralikrishna
13. Mangalam - Madhyamavathi -Balamuralikrishna

 

The Unparalleled Maestro - Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna

Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna in the home of Parvathi - 1967

                

There has never been a more prolific and multifaceted musician in Indian music than Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. As one who composed in all the 72 melakartas as a teenager, as one who conquered Madras audiences while still being an "Outsider",  as one who was the only classical male vocalist to make a mark in film music, in light music, as well as in devotional music across languages, and achieve fame and reverence as a vocalist among Hindustani music audiences, he did it all. His appeal to Hindustani audiences was such that he was featured alongside Bhimsen Joshi and Kishori Amonkar! No raga or composer escaped his masterly treatment. What appeared as an effortless ease on the stage was the product of a genius honed to perfection in Nature's bosom.

BMK, as he was affectionately called by Madras audiences, once proudly claimed that no award or honour due to a musician would ever be denied to him. He also claimed he enjoyed eating ice-cream just before a concert!

M. Balamuralikrishna rose meteorically to fame in the 1960s through his innovative approach to Carnatic music and his expanding influence beyond traditional concert settings. By the late 1960s, he was hailed as one of the most famous Carnatic singers, known for his brilliant voice, mastery over multiple instruments, and prolific compositions.

Balamuralikrishna successfully wielded administrative roles, notably as music producer and later programme director for All India Radio (AIR) in Vijayawada and Hyderabad. He launched the influential early morning devotional radio show "Bhakti Ranjani," which became widely popular and was later adopted by other stations. These roles helped him create new audiences for Carnatic music and brought his artistry to a broader public.

In this house concert, conducted at the residence of Sri. K.K. Murthy, the younger brother of Sri. K. Srikantiah, BMK's forte across all these dimensions, is on full display. His own compositions shine with his unique treatment. He sings the songs that he made famous - be it a song of Jayadeva or of any other composer, even in the film world! 

The way BMK sings Amrithavarshini, Shanmukhapriya, Kapi...they will linger long in our hearts and minds. 

We are posting the last few remaining archive recordings left behind by Sri. K. Srikantiah... with a sense of duty and fulfilment.

Concert Details: 

M. Balamuralikrishna - Vocal

M. Chandrasekharan - Violin

Vellore Ramabhadran - Mridangam

Ghatam - ?

Date: Sometime in 1967.

Song List

1. Samagana Sarvabhauma - Amrithavarshini - Balamuralikrishna
2. Ksheerasagarashayana - Devagandhari - Thyagaraja
3. Sada tava pada - Shanmukhapriya - Balamuralikrishna
4. Sharasharasamaraika Shura - Kunthalavarali - Thyagaraja (with BMK chitteswara)
5. Jagadoddharana - Kapi - Purandaradasa
6. Thangaratham - Abhogi - Viswanathan Ramamurthy/Kannadasan
7. Pravisha Radhe - Kosala - Jayadeva/Balamuralikrishna
8. Natavara Gangadhara - Abheri - Venkatrajau - Film Swarna Gowri
9. Orunaal Poduma - Ragamalika - Balamuralikrishna - Film Thrivilayadal
10. Ahir Bhairav Thillana - Balamuralikrishna
11. Mangalam

 

Captivating, Creative, Confident Genius - Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna (1930-2016)

A Retrospect on the great Master by R. Sachi

When someone writes the history of Indian classical music of the past 100 years, they are bound to mention in the very first list of all-time greats the name of Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna.

When the maestro breathed his last recently, a torrent of obituaries and tributes poured in, from famous musicians, youngsters, veteran artistes, film directors, actors, and composers, as well as listeners from all over.

Balamurali, as he became famous in 1960’s, shook the orthodox Carnatic music world, with his brand of improvisational music, his refreshingly different rendition of sahitya, and his own compositions. He was melodious, multi-faceted, and innovative. If he came across to the public as arrogant and irreverent sometimes, it was a part of the package called Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. This is understandable when someone becomes popular before his teens, composes in all the 72 melakartas while still in his teens, and fearlessly innovates in every concert, becomes a popular film playback singer, attracts followers from the north as well as south of India, performs famous jugalbandis, and wins laurels the world over. He sang for nearly 80 years, collected a dozen doctorates, almost all awards in the country, and the Mahatma Gandhi Silver Medal from UNESCO in 1995, in addition to the 'Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' by the French Government in 2005.

Balamurali performed in 'Parvathi' many times. His concerts were always popular. We feature photos from his early concerts and links to earlier uploads below:

Musical Bylanes I (CLICK)
(PHOTOS OF SEVERAL OF THE VIDWANS IN 'PARVATHI')

'MANDIRAMU MANAMANDIRAMU' (CLICK)
(Vidwan's acceptance Speech in Chowdiah Memorial, Bengaluru Nov 29, 2009)
(Vidwan receiving the K. Puttu Rao-Palghat Mani Iyer Award May 31, 2005)
(Vidwan's vintage concert in 'Parvathi' in 1965)
(Vidwan's vintage concert and felicitation photos from 7-4-1971)

IN THIS CONCERT, Balamurali gives an irresistible feast of the best of his music. We have heavyweight ragas like Mayamalavagowla and Pantuvarali. Especially in Pantuvarali, he scales 3 octaves with ease and impact repeatedly. Nagaraj on the violin holds his own well. We then have a wide range of beautiful Thyagaraja krithis invoking devotion. We also have some highly meditative krithis of Annamacharya, Bhadrachala Ramadasu and Sadashiva Brahmendra. We have the delectable Mamava Pattabhirama of Dikshitar, sung uniquely. The finale of the concert, the trademark Balamurali tillana and mangalam, rounds off a remarkable concert.

In the true spirit of his music, Balamurali will be more than delighted with the listeners of Parvathi blog enjoying this concert all over the world.

Details

M.Balamuralikrishna --------------- Vocal
Mysore Nagaraj ---------------------- Violin
Vellore Ramabhadran -------------- Mridangam
Sheshagiri Das ----------------------- Khanjira
M.A.Krishnamurthy ----------------- Ghatam
on 27 -4-1983 at "Parvathi" during Ramanavami Music Festival.

Song List

01 Merusamana – Mayamalavagowla -Thyagaraja *** 02 Bhajanaseyarada –Athana - Thyagaraja *** 03 Abhogi Raga *** 04 Nannu Brova- Abhogi -Thyagaraja *** 05 Pantuvarali Raga *** 06 Appa Rama bhakti – Pantuvarali - Thyagaraja *** 07 Sri Ramam sada bhajeham – Tanarupi- BMK *** 08 Karuna samudra- Devagandhari- Thyagaraja *** 09 Tani-truncated *** 10 Etirugananu – Nadanamakriya – Bhadrachala Ramadasu *** 11 Rama ninnuvina – Shanakarabharana - Thyagaraja *** 12 Peridi ninnu- Kharaharapriya-Thyagaraja *** 13 Raghunandana Raghunandana - Kedaragowla -Thyagaraja *** 14 Brahmagaligina padamu- Mukhari -Thyagaraja *** 15 Harirasamavihari- Hindola- Annamacharya *** 16 Pibare Ramarasam –Ahir Bhairav- Sadashiva Brahmendra *** 17 Hodi nagarimele- Ananda Bhairavi- Purandara Dasa *** 18 Jo Achutananda jojo mukunda –Kurinji- Annamacharya *** 19 Tillana Kuntalavarali -BMK *** 20 Mamava PattabhiRama- Manirangu- Muthuswami Dikshitar *** 21 Mangalam ***

Music's Bylanes - I

While we wait for our very learned friend in music, R.Sachi ( click ) to process another delectable concert for us, we thought we’d walk the Rasikas through some music's by-lanes .

The following pictures were the results of ‘prying’ into more “Parvathi” albums. This time though, it was courtesy of Shri K.L. Rao’s family. No, not the founding father of India’s Irrigation industry! but the third elder son of Sri. K. Puttu Rao, about whom we spoke earlier as having once lived in Chennai, next to the hallowed Music Academy in Mylapore, and who provided dedication as an engineer to the Chennai Harbor, during the 60’s.

Here are some pictures of Carnatic music’s greats, in a more relaxed venue and in more informal postures.

Could we say that this was their way of “jamming”?

Supreme maestros all! (L to R): U.K. Sivaraman, M.L. Veerabhadriah (Palghat Mani Iyer’s disciple), K.S. Manjunath , T. Chowdiah

T.Chowdiah with Sri K.L. Rao.
It looks to be a respite after lunch,
as we detect the faint outlines of a ‘pan’
being chewed by Chowdiah!

The 'Krishna' of Music! [ click ]
Maestro M. Bala-Murali-Krishna and party!

[ If one views keenly one can also notice Vid. M.A. Narasimhachar in the audience]

Veena Maestro Chitti Babu
pondering away ‘dreamily’
amidst musical notes in a warm up !

Veena’s other great exponent Doreswamy Iyengar
seen with stalwarts Vellore Ramabhadran, K.S. Manjunath, T. Chowdiah

Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna: “Mandiramu... manamandiramu”

A proceeding of Nov 29, 2009 in Bangalore Chowdiah Memorial Hall

The two Vidwans felicitated together - Kadri Gopalnath and 'Guru' Dr. M. Balamurlikrishna [ Photo: Courtesy Samath Kumar G.P. http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/30/stories/2009113053660400.htm ]

"I accept this as prasadam from Mysore T Chowdaiah and KK Murthy."

- Dr. Balamurli Krishna on Nov 29, 2009,

on receiving the K.K. Murthy Memorial T. Chowdiah Awards

"Terming the T. Chowdiah award as more a blessing than an award, Dr. Balamuralikrishna sang “Mandiramu... manamandiramu”, a Telugu song composed by himself, in honour of the renowned violinist the late Chowdiah and lover of music and architect of the T. Chowdiah Memorial Hall in the city, the late K. K. Murthy....] [Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/30/stories/2009113053660400.htm]

The evening began with a Vedagosha by Pt Balu Shastry and party, followed by an invocation by Suchethan Rangaswamy. Governor HR Bharadwaj, who was the chief guest, presented a cash prize of Rs1 lakh and a miniature violin each to the two pundits.
On receiving the award, Balamuralikrishna said, "I accept this as prasadam from Mysore T Chowdaiah and KK Murthy." He even rendered Mandiramu Manamandiramu composed by him when the hall was inaugurated.
[Courtesy: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_music-fest-climaxes_1318230]

A Proceeding of May 31, 2005 at the Chowdiah memorial Hall "in the name of the father"

Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi (L) giving the "K Puttu Rao Memorial Palghat Mani Iyer" award to legendary singer Dr M Balamuralikrishna (R) in Bangalore.

[Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/gallery/0320/032001.htm ]

The story begins, much... much earlier, in "Parvathi" (music included)

Vintage 1965 in "Parvathi" : M.Balamurlikrishna with M.S. Gopalakrishnan and T.V. Gopalakrishnan

[01-Saraguna-Todi Varnam-Balamuralikrishna; 02-Vandenishamaham-Hamsadhwani-Vasudevachar; 03-Thamralochani-Lathangi-Balamuralikrishna; 04-Emi Neramu-Shankarabharanam-Thyagaraja; 05-Nagumomu-Abheri-Thyagaraja; 06-Mere mana anat kahan sukh pave -Jaijaivanti- Hindi-Surdas; 07-Pibareramarasam- Ahir Bhairav-Sadashiva Brahmendra ; 08-Jamuna kinare-Misra Piloo-Swati Tirunal; 09-Naina bhaye-Shivaranjani-Surdas; 10-Shrithakamala-Ashtapadi-Jinjhuti-Jayadeva; 11-Thillana-Brindavana Saranga-Balamuralikrishna; 12-Pavamana-Mangalam-Thyagaraja;]