Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna was born on July 6, 1930, in Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh state, and died on November 22, 2016.

He was an Indian Carnatic vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, playback singer, composer and actor.

Balamuralikrishna was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, which is India’s second-highest civilian honour, for his contribution towards Indian Art.

Balamuralikrishna was made Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005.

Balamuralikrishna’s father was a well-known musician.

He played the flute, violin and the veena and his mother was an excellent veena player.

Balamuralikrishna’s mother died when he was an infant and Balamuralikrishna was raised by his father.

After observing his penchant for music, his father put him under the tutelage of Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu, a direct descendant of the shishya parampara of Tyagaraja.

He has composed over 400 compositions in various languages like Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil.

Balamuralikrishna compositions range from Devotional to Varnams, Krithis, Javalis and Thillans, in all the fundamental 72 melakartha ragas to film music.

Balamuralikrishna made his acting debut with Bhakta Prahlada (1967) under AVM Productions as Narada, and has acted in various films.

Balamuralikrishna also has acted in two kannada movies.

Balamuralikrishna passed away at 86 years old.