World-renowned Carnatic music maestro and a multi-faceted personality Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna is no more.
He breathed his last at his residence in Chennai. He was 86. He received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, for his outstanding contribution towards Indian Art - especially for his work in music.
He was also conferred National Award twice (one for his singing in 1976 and one as a music composer in 1987). Besides this, he has got several state government awards.
Born in Sankaraguptam village in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh state in 1930, Mangalampalli composed hundreds of songs for South Indian films. He also acted in several films, starting from Narada role in Bhaktha Prahlada.
He was considered as child prodigy. At the age of 15, he had mastered all the 72 melakartha ragas and had composed krithis in the same.
His compositions range from Devotional to Varnams, Krithis, Javalis and Thillans, in all the fundamental 72 melakartha ragas to film music. Honouring his talent, French government in 2005 had made him 'Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres'.
The last time he gave a public concert was at Godavari Pushkarams in Rajahmundry.
