Balamuralikrishna had a special love for Kannadigas

DHARWAD: Dharwad has attracted top class musicians of all hues and maestro of Carnatic music M Balamuralikrishna was no exception.
The renowned vocalist usually refrained himself from singing at award presentation ceremonies as he felt the joy of getting an award often hampers performance. However, he broke his resolve and sang for a while enthralling the audience after he received the Mansur Samman instituted by the Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur National Memorial Trust at Kala Bhavan in Dharwad on January 2, 2009.
Later addressing the gathering he said: “I have received many awards from governments. But receiving an award named after a musician is a great achievement. I have accepted this not as an award but as a blessing from a musician. It is a memorable day in my life.”
Having sung his first song in Karnataka in 1952, Balamuralikrishna always had a special love towards Kannadigas. He called himself an ‘old boy’ and ‘darling singer’ of Karnataka. “I owe a lot to Karnataka and Kannadigas. I have achieved a lot because of the people of Karnataka,” he had said.
On the charge that Carnatic music did not get favourable environment in Dharwad, Balamuralikrishna had said : There is nothing like south Indian or north Indian music. It is one and the same everywhere.”
He had also appreciated the changes that were happening in the field of music. Doyen of Hindustani classical music Gangubai Hangal was supposed to present the award to Balamuralikrishna, but she could not make it to the function due to ill health.