Considered by the hidebound, orthodox traditionalists of Carnatic music, Dr. Balamurali as a singer and as an instrumentalist, is a musician of matchless virtuosity. With the ability to not only sing in the full three octaves with his characteristic adroitness, this extraordinary musician can play the violin, viola, khanjira, veena as well as the Mridangam.
He was born to musical parents so that the early leaning towards classical music is understandable and even predictable. His father Pattabiramayya, a well known musician played the flute, the violin and the veena. His mother Suryakantamma was an exceptional veena player. Born in Sankaraguptam, Andhra Pradesh on the 6th of July 1930, Balamurali was a child prodigy of sorts, giving his first recital at a young age of 8, he then went on to compose songs, in all the 72 Melakarta ragas, before the age of 15. In the discipline of Carnatic music.
Dr. Balamurali has to his credit over 400 compositions that include Varnams, Kritis, Javalis, Devotional songs and Thillanas. In addition to creating compositions in the traditional raags, he has created entirely new raags such as Mahati, Sumukham, Trisakthi, Omkari, Rohini, Pratimadhyamavathi, Janasammodini, Manorama, Vallabhi, Lavangi, predictably making waves in the musical orthodoxy. What has worked up further ire with the traditionalists is his innovation with 'taal' and his introduction of new principles therein. His zest for innovation and experimentation led him also to the unprecedented North-South 'jugalbandi' with Pandit Bhimsen Joshi aired on Doordarshan, which was again decried by the purists.
Apart from all his musical achievements, Dr. M Balamurali Krishna is also a man of letters. He has been awarded a Doctorate of Letters by the Sri Venkateshwara University and the doctorate of Literature by the University of Hyderabad. He was awarded the Padmashri by the Government at the relatively young age of 41 and was later awarded the National Citizen's Award as well as the Padma Vibhushan. He has been awarded many other titles by various institutions, such as Naad Bhrahmam, Sangeet Kala Nipun, Naad Maharshi among many others. He has been awarded the 'Sapthagiri Sangeeta Vidwan Mani' by the Sri Thyagaraja Swami Trust as well. What is a tribute to his varied abilities is the fact that he was given the award for best Music Director in the 34th National Film Festival as well as the Silver Lotus for Best Playback singer in the 1976 film festival. The UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Silver Medal was awarded to him in Paris in 1995. His is a very impressive catalogue of achievements indeed!
Dr. M Balamurali Krishna has been responsible, as founder Trustee, in the birth of the MBK Trust with the object of developing art and culture and giving training in music. The Trust is now directing its attention to bring in its poll other arts like dance ie Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohini Attam, the classical forms and also the folk dances of India.
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Dr. Balamurali has to his credit over 400 compositions that include Varnams, Kritis, Javalis, Devotional songs and Thillanas. In addition to creating compositions in the traditional raags, he has created entirely new raags such as Mahati, Sumukham, Trisakthi, Omkari, Rohini, Pratimadhyamavathi, Janasammodini, Manorama, Vallabhi, Lavangi, predictably making waves in the musical orthodoxy. What has worked up further ire with the traditionalists is his innovation with 'taal' and his introduction of new principles therein. His zest for innovation and experimentation led him also to the unprecedented North-South 'jugalbandi' with Pandit Bhimsen Joshi aired on Doordarshan, which was again decried by the purists.