“Classical music is classic. It never dies,” said Indian Carnatic vocalist and playback singer Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna. The craze for music has been increasing by the day. Music-lovers don’t mind shelling out Rs. 500 for a back row ticket in concerts. Given this kind of a response, the enthusiasm for classical music will continue regardless of accessibility to other modes of entertainment, says the maestro while interacting with The Hindu .
The 84-year-old legendary singer is a native of Sankaraguptam in East Godavari district and was in the city to attend the inauguration of a private school.
Speaking about the current generation which relies heavily on cinema and social media for entertainment, he says classical music will remain a priority and no one should have doubt about it. When pointed out that most educational institutions pushed music and other art forms to the back-burner focusing only on ranks, he says if it improved their studies, more number of students would be getting jobs.
Music can also provide jobs. The managements should approach the government on the measures to be taken to generate interest among students on classical music. Asked if he would assist the government in educating the younger generation, he says: “Let the government approach me first and then I will extend support.”
Speaking about digitisation of his compositions, he says of the total 500 works, 175 of them have been digitalised and they are available online. His popular compositions include Omkara Karini , amma ananda dayini , Hariyegathi and Umasutam etc. He acted in Telugu films like Bhaktaprahalada and Megha Sandesam , besides acting in a few other Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films.
He is the recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padmasri along with other awards instituted by various national and international organisations.
“Indian music is soothing to the ears compared to other music forms in the world,” he emphasises when asked to draw a comparison between Indian music and its contemporary music across the world.
