Madurai N Krishnan is no more

CHENNAI: Doyen of Carnatic music and winner of Padma Bhushan and Padma Sree, Vidwan Madurai N Krishnan passed away at a city hospital in the early hours of today, family sources said. He was 77 and is survived by four daughters.

Krishnan was suffering from prolonged kidney ailment. A winner of several prestigious awards including Kalaimamani award, Krishnan’s name was synonymous with Indian classical Carnatic music. He hailed from a traditional family with musical background. Krishnan underwent formal training in Carnatic music in Tamil Isai School, Karaikudi and also obtained the ‘Sangeetha Vidwan’ title from the Tamil Nadu Government Music College.

He underwent ‘gurukula vasam’ for a period of 18 years under the late Ariyakudi Sri Ramanuja Iyengar. He was a direct descendant of ‘guru sishya’ parampara of Thiyagarja. One of the founders of Shree Bharatalaya, an institution of fine arts, Krishnan was the grandson of H H Swayamprakasa Swamigal.

Krishnan was a true doyen in Carnatic music as he was a Vaggeyakara, vocalist, lyricist and composer.

Endowed with a rich and vibrant voice, Krishnan's singing emanates from the ''nabhi'' and is known for the effortless ''brigas'' and ''gamakas''.

Some of the prestigious awards conferred on him include the Padmashri (1992), the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987), Kalaimamani (1982), and the UNESCO Award.