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G. N. Balasubramaniam

Personal Profile

G. N. Balasubramaniam
  • Date of Birth:
    January 6, 1910
  • Place of Birth:
    Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Date of Death:
    May 1, 1965
  • Sex:
    Male
  • Hair Color:
    White
  • Eye Color:
    Brown
  • Nationality:
    Indian
  • Religion:
    Hinduism

Family

G. N. Balasubramaniam
  • Father:
    G V Narayanaswamy Iyer

Career

G. N. Balasubramaniam

Trivia

G. N. Balasubramaniam
  • Balasubramaniam worked as principal of Sree Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram of the state of Kerala.
  • Balasubramanian also composed kritis and invented new ragas. He taught a number of students during his active years. Most famous among them are M. L. Vasanthakumari, Radha Jayalakshmi, S. Kalyanaraman and Trichur V. Ramachandran.
  • He acted in films, including Bhama Vijayam and Sakunthala. In the latter, he appeared as Dushyantha, alongside the vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi.
  • He composed several krithis and was famous for his fast brikhas and gamakam.
  • G. N. Balasubramaniam was a vocalist in the Carnatic tradition.

Biography

G. N. Balasubramaniam
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 19, 2009

G.N.Balasubramaniam, popularly known as G.N.B. shines as the most illustrious star in the galaxy of great musicians of India. He entered the music field as a meteor, with his golden voice, handsome personality and creative music. He was a trend setter and gave a new dimension to Carnatic music without deviating from tradition. No musical expression was impossible for him, whether it being slow tempo, medium tempo, fast tempo or super fast tempo. When great stalwarts like Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Musuri Subramania Iyer, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavather and others were at the peak of their career, G.N.B. with his aesthetic and dynamic creative presentation of music carved for himself an envious position.

He was a literature graduate and his musical background and education enabled him to present music in a meaningful way. His forte was Raga Alapana. According to him Carnatic music is Raga Sangeetham and importance should be given for delivery of the Raga. He was an artist unparalleled in singing ragas whether it was a popular or a rare raga. He had respect for his fellow and elderly musicians and imbibed the best aspects from them. He had trained many disciples famous like the late M.L.Vasantha Kumari, S.Kalyanaraman T.R. Balasubramanian - Trichur V.Ramachandran is also one of his favourate disciples. G.N.B. has composed many songs, some in rare ragas like Sama Kadambari, Chandra hasitham, Veenadari, Siva sakthi, Amirtha Behag, Saranga Tharangini, etc. He was the recipient of many titles and awards including Sangeetha Kalanidhi. He died at the young age of 54, leaving behind him a vast number of rasikas and disciples.

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