Veteran Carnatic Musician, Padma Vibhushan Dr. M BalamuraliKrishna passed away at his residence in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 86. He had been suffering with health problems for the past few days. Born in Sankaraguptam in Andhra Pradesh, Mangalampalli chosen singing as his profession at the age of six.
He was a master of Carnatic and Hindustani vocal music. He also learnt several musical instruments like then Viola, the Violin and the Mridangam. He had composed music and acted in some movies, including Bhakta Prahlada.He is known for several thillanans, kirits and varnams. He revived old ragas like Narthak and Sunadavinodini and created new ragas like Lavangi, Mahathi, Manorama, Murali, Omkari, Prathimadhyamavathi, Rohini, Saravashree, Sumukham, Sushma, Ganapathi, Siddhi and Pushkara Godvari.Balamuralikrishna had tried to popularise the idea of music therapy in south India. He has been acting as permanent vocal singer (Aasthana Vidwamsulu) in Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam. Mangalampalli BalamuraliKrishna was honoured wih all three civilian awards such as ‘Padma Vibhushan’, ‘Padma Bhushan’ and ‘Padma Shri’. He won several awards, including the national award for best playback singer and best music director.