God’s Own Voice

But for most years,Balamuralikrishna has remained a non-conformist,with a penchant for innovation and defiance for the existing systems — for which he has been criticised every now and then. “I always think of something new and have enjoyed innovating with the existing systems,” says Balamuralikrishna,who is a multi-instrumentalist growing up in a Chennai family of musicians,Balamuralikrishna began learning Carnatic classical at a young age and was soon declared a child prodigy after his concert at the age of seven at Thyagaraja Aradhana,Vijayawada. He turned composer by 14 and knew all the 72 melakartha ragas,which form the backbone of Carnatic classical system. “I was extremely lucky to have some of the greatest gurus who taught me and nurtured my talent,” adds Balamuralikrishna.

He says there is nothing like popular and classical music and people need to stop making that differentiation. “Music is music. It depends on how you approach it. I sing a love song as classical music,and classical music as a love song. So there is no difference,” he says. His penchant for non-conformism has also made him explore an entirely different world,that of casinos. “That’s recreation. I enjoy it immensely. Who says a musician can’t go to casinos,” he says with a smile.

While performing at concerts,Balamuralikrishna sings his own compositions,without repeating any of them for a long time (his oeuvre comprises over 400). Only a handful of artistes in the country enjoy that distinction. “I like to sing my own creations. There is a different level of innovation that one can do with one’s own compositions. That’s exciting,” says Balamuralikrishna,adding “I’m still learning and shall remain a student all my life. I don’t sing. My music sings. It just comes to me and I become an instrument for it.” We believe him.