Tributes poured certain violin maestro T N Krishnan, who died here at the age of 92, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and therefore the world of Carnatic music mourning the doyen’s demise and recalling his rich contributions.
He gave up the ghost on Monday thanks to adulthood issues. Krishnan is survived by wife and two children.
Counted among the opposite violin greats– Lalgudi Jayaraman and M S Gopalakrishnan, Tripunithura Narayanaiyer Krishnan started off his musical journey at a young age under his father’s tutelage and staged his maiden performance at the age of 11.
Born in 1928 in Kerala, Krishnan shifted to Chennai within the early 1940s and was tutored by Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, a legend within the field of serious music .
A recipient of various awards, including the Padma Vibhushan and therefore the Music Academy’s Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Krishnan had stints as teacher with the Music College here and faculty of Music and art at the University of Delhi.
He had accompanied many stalwarts of Carnatic music like Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar and Madurai Mani Iyer, before happening to become a solo performer who enthralled his audiences for an extended time and was active till his last days.
Besides the enthralling rendition of varied ragas, his performing ‘jingle bells’ with Mridangam and ghatam (percussion instruments) for company is fondly recalled by many ‘rasikas’ (fans).
Prime Minister Modi condoled Krishnan’s death, saying his demise has left a “big void” within the world of music.
“The demise of noted violinist Shri TN Krishnan leaves an enormous void within the world of music. His works beautifully encapsulated a good range of emotions and strands of our culture. He was also an impressive mentor to young musicians.
