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. Balamuralikrishna - Vocal
M. Chandrasekharan - Violin
Vellore Ramabhadran - Mridangam
Ghatam - ?
Date: Sometime in 1967.
Song List
- Samagana Sarvabhauma - Amrithavarshini - Balamuralikrishna
- Ksheerasagarashayana - Devagandhari - Thyagaraja
- Sada tava pada - Shanmukhapriya - Balamuralikrishna
- Sharasharasamaraika Shura - Kunthalavarali - Thyagaraja (with BMK chitteswara)
- Jagadoddharana - Kapi - Purandaradasa
- Thangaratham - Abhogi - Viswanathan Ramamurthy/Kannadasan
- Pravisha Radhe - Kosala - Jayadeva/Balamuralikrishna
- Natavara Gangadhara - Abheri - Venkatrajau - Film Swarna Gowri
- Orunaal Poduma - Ragamalika - Balamuralikrishna - Film Thrivilayadal
- Ahir Bhairav Thillana - Balamuralikrishna
- Mangalam
