DHARWAD: Dharwad has attracted top musicians of all hues, and
Carnatic music maestro
M Balamuralikrishna was no exception.
The noted vocalist usually refused to sing in award ceremonies as he felt the joy of being honoured often hampered his performance. However, he broke his resolve and sang for a while after he received the Mansur Samman, instituted by the Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur National Memorial Trust, at
Kala Bhavan
in Dharwad on January 2, 2009.
Addressing the gather ing, he said: “I have received many awards from governments. But receiving one 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.“
Having sung his first song in Karnataka in 1952, Balamuralikrishna always had a special love for 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 a 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 also appreciated the changes that were happening in the field of music. Doyenne of Hindustani classical music
Gangubai Hangal
was supposed to present the award to Balamuralikrishna, but she couldn't make it to the function due to ill-health.