Chennai: Veteran Carnatic musician M Balamuralikrishna died in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 86. He had been unwell for the past few days.
Born in Sankaraguptam in Andhra Pradesh, Balamuralikrishna started singing at the age of six. He was well-versed in Carnatic and Hindustani vocal music, and he played musical instruments like the viola, the violin and the mridangam. He had composed music and acted in some movies, including ‘Bhakta Prahlada’.
He had composed several thillanas, kirits and varnams.
Balamurali, as he was called by musicians and public, was a recipient of all three Padma awards – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. He won several awards, including the national award for best playback singer and best music director.
