The singer who took on N T Rama Rao

HYDERABAD: World renowned Carnatic singer

Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna

(86) had once vowed never ever to perform in Andhra Pradesh. That was because he felt offended over a decision that the then chief minister of the united Andhra Pradesh and actor-turned-politician

N T Rama Rao

took to abolish the culture akademis.

The singer was quick to react and much to everyone’s shock announced that he would never ever perform in Andhra Pradesh, where he hailed from.

However, the then director of culture, K V Ramana Chary took an initiative to bridge the rift between both of them. “The efforts yielded fruit and N T

Rama Rao

himself felicitated Balamuralikrishna at Ravindra Bharathi. This brought joy to people who loved culture as they saw two stalwarts respect each other again,” K V Ramana Chary recalled. N T Rama Rao’s wife

Lakshmi Parvathi

also played a role in seeing to that both the big artistes shed their differences.

Eventually, Balakmuralikrishna got back to performing in Andhra Pradesh. He was also appointed Asthana Sangeetha Vidvan when Ramana Chary was the executive officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Balamuralikrishna who was born in East Godavari of Andhra Pradesh grew up in Vijayawada before moving to Chennai.

“It is sad to know that Balamuralikrishna is no more. Apart from performing world over in 25,000 concerts, he also created many raagas and sang in 400 films,” Ramana Chary said.

Chief minister

K Chandrasekhara Rao

condoled the death of the renowned Carnatic singer. Rao described Balamuralikrishna as one who had created a special name for himself with his singing over the last few decades. “He took Carnatic music to great levels and brought repute to Indian culture abroad,” the chief minister said.

Governor Narasimhan, in a statement, called Balamuralikrishna a legendary Carnatic vocalist and composer and said the country lost a world renowned personality and the void will be difficult to fill. “Balamuralikrishna’s life is an inspiration to new generations of musicians and following the path laid by him would be a great tribute,” the governor said.