Chennai: Violin maestro TN Krishnan passes away at 92

[Kool_SRG]

Krishnan started as a child prodigy and went on to perform with legends from several generations. He was honoured with many titles, including Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. 

For music lovers in Chennai, Krishnan’s demise is a huge loss, as they would wait for not only his classical concerts but also for a mandatory annual Christmas performance. (Photo courtesy: Ramanathan Iyer)

 

 

Legendary violinist T N Krishnan died in Chennai on Monday evening. He was 92.

Although Krishnan was in good health, he had a “sudden uneasiness” in the evening and passed away, said Ramanathan Iyer, a Chennai-based music lover and organiser of musical events. Iyer, who was close to Krishnan’s family, said they had celebrated his birthday last month. “He was healthy. Even in the recent days, he was watching videos of rasikas and his disciples wishing him a happy birthday,” Iyer said.

Born in 1928 in Tripunithura in Kerala, Krishnan started as a child prodigy and went on to perform with legends from several generations. Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Alathur Brothers, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, MD Ramanathan and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer were among those whom Krishnan accompanied in performances.

 

He had been living in Chennai since 1942. “There was nobody who could match his experience, he was lucky to play with every legend since the 1940s. His was a remarkable life,” said Iyer.

For music lovers in Chennai, Krishnan’s demise is a huge loss, as they would wait for not only his classical concerts but also for a mandatory annual Christmas performance. To the surprise of many puritans in Chennai, the morning slot of Chennai Music Academy was booked by default for Krishnan’s Christmas performance on every Christmas mornings for several years, where he used to play “Wish you a merry Christmas” and “Jingle bells, Jingle Bells” before a packed audience. After his death, his fans were seen sharing videos of his Christmas performance, remembering the legend.

Here is a small snippet of the 2019 Christmas concert.

A small token of gratitude from my friend and a celebration of the life and times of #TNKrishnan ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RlWvIJXwpx

— Aravindan Sudarsan (@Aravindan_Sud) November 2, 2020

Besides having a number of prominent violinists as disciples — who would recall him as a Guru who was kind enough to ensure career opportunities came their way — Krishnan also had an academic stint. He taught at the Chennai Music College and later held the position of Dean at the School of Music and Fine Arts of the University of Delhi.

He was also honoured with many titles and awards, including Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

Krishnan is survived by his wife Kamala, daughter Viji and son Sriram. Both his children are violinists.

[Kool_SRG]

Violinist T.N. Krishnan is no more

His playing represented the pristine beauty of ragas

Violin maestro T.N. Krishnan, whose playing represented the pristine beauty of Carnatic ragas, died here on Monday. He entered the music world as a child prodigy and performed till his last days. He was 92, and is survived by wife Kamala, son Sriram Krishnan and daughter Viji Krishnan, who often accompanied their father.

“None was as gifted as Krishnan when it came to capturing the essence, taste and life of ragas. He had clarity about what he thought was good music and he followed it unwaveringly,” said singer and author T.M. Krishna, who, like Krishnan, is a disciple of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.

 

Born Tripunithura Narayanaiyer Krishnan in 1928 in Kerala, he learnt music from his father A. Narayana Iyer. He gave his first solo violin concert in Thiruvananthapuram in 1939 as a boy of 11. He had a mentor in Alleppy K. Parthasarathy, and Krishnan had always acknowledged the support rendered by him during the early days of his career.

He had accompanied great musicians such as Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Musiri Subramania Iyer, Alathur Brothers, G.N. Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani Iyer, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, M.D. Ramanathan and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer and the recordings available still explain Krishnan’s talent as a accompanying artiste before becoming a solo performer.

 

He shifted his base to Chennai in 1942 and came under the tutelage of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and his career graph emerged.

Krishnan also excelled as a teacher and he was the professor of music at the Music College, Chennai. Later, he became the Dean of School of Music and Fine Arts, University of Delhi. He was known as Professor Krishnan in the music world. He won many awards, including Sangita Kalanidhi of the Music Academy and the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan.

“His greatest assets are his understanding of ragas and conviction about music. Even though so many things changed over decades in the music world, he had the conviction about good music and would only offer that — if you like it you come to my concert. It is very difficult to have such a conviction and be successful,” explained Mr. Krishna.

“You will not come across a single non-musical phrase in his playing. You cannot say he experimented with music, but brought out the existing beauty of the Carnatic ragas and you have to be in his concerts to realise how he would reach the higher octaves,” said Lalitharam, the biographer of vocalist G.N. Balasubramaniam and mridangam player Palani Subramania Pillai, with whom he had teamed up for many concerts.

He also recalled a particular concert in the Music Academy. “Krishnan played Harikamboji and explained that he played it to tell the world that it could be done without the traces of Khamas, Kamboji and Karaharapriya,” Mr. Lalitharam said.

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[Spartan]

Padma Vibhushan kuda..

[Kool_SRG]

 

[Kool_SRG]

 

[Kool_SRG]

5 minutes ago, Spartan said:

Padma Vibhushan kuda..

yes

  

5 minutes ago, Kool_SRG said:

He won many awards, including Sangita Kalanidhi of the Music Academy and the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan.