News - Views - Reviews
DR. M BALAMURALIKRISHNA - THE INIMITABLE MASTER, PART 3
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What do you aim to give in your concerts - entertainment, novelty, tradition, intellectual satisfaction, spiritual elevation or just melodious music?
I give what rasikas want.
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Do you plan your concerts in advance? If not, how do you prepare for them? What is your normal routine? Does it change on concert days?
I don’t plan them. Whatever comes to my mind on stage, I sing.
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You must have several disciples. Have you pinned your hopes on some of them to follow and keep your bani alive?
Guru only gives the foundation. They have to form their own style of singing out of their own gnanam.
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There are also several people out there who try to imitate you. What is your opinion on this? Do you think it is a good idea for people to imitate others?
Many people sing like GNB, Madurai Mani Iyer etc. Likewise people imitate me.
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When disciples learn from great masters like you who have established their own bani-s, there is always a question of adherence to the bani. Do you think disciples should simply follow the bani-s of their gurus or can they improvise upon it? If they can improvise, then where does one draw the line between strict adherence and improvisation? In what aspects should the disciple adhere and in what areas can he improvise?
They should themselves know when to sing like others and when to sing like themselves.
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Can you tell us about some of your most memorable concerts?
I forget about my kutcheri-s once I am done with them.
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Other memorable/interesting/funny incidents in your career?
Everything is memorable and interesting.
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Are you satisfied with the way your career has gone? Do you think you have reached your full potential as a musician?
I know nothing. I have to still learn a lot.
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What would your advice to young aspiring musicians be?
Everybody should come up well in their profession. Beyond that, come in person, I will tell you.
Posted on September 19, 2002
