India has lost its famous music composer, renowned Carnatic vocalist, playback singer as well as multi-instrumentalist Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna on Tuesday. The 86-year-old, music maestro breathed his last in his residence in Chennai. For his tremendous and extra-ordinary work in music, he was also awarded India’s second highest civilian honor, Padma Vibhushan for his outstanding contribution towards Indian Art. He was the recipient of National Awards for two times, one in 1976 for singing and for music composer in in 1987, along with many state governmental honors.

Born to a great instrumentalist parents in Sankaraguptam, East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, he had interest in music since his childhood and learned it through encouragement of his father. His father could play the flute, violin and the veena. His mother, who had died in his childhood, was also famous for playing veena. As a child prodigy, he had learned all the 72 melakartha ragas and composed krithis in them at the age of just 15 years.

Apart from his career in music, he has also acted in films. His famous role is of Narada in the movie Bhakta Prahlada in 1967. The renowned music composer has also composed over 400 songs in various languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit and Kannada. His compositions includes, Devotionals, Varnams, Krithis, javalis and Thillans, in basic 72 melakartha ragas and film music.

He has also received international acclaim for his talent as in 2005, French government, in an honor of his talent, made him ‘Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’.

The whole music as well as film industry is shocked over the demise of a great music expert and called it an irreparable damage.

By Prajakt