Sri G.N. Balasubramaniam: A Remembrance

2015 marks the 50th year of the passing of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri G.N.Balasubramaniam (GNB). On 20^th June 2015, SIFAS Alumni with the support of Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society conducted a remembrance event at the SIFAS Rehearsal Room to honour this Vidhwan par excellence of the 20th century. Upcoming artistes from SIFAS Alumni presented songs that were either popularized or composed by Sri GNB in this remembrance event.

The series of performances began with a solemn vocal concert by Sri Sharadh Rajaraman, who was accompanied on the violin by Kum Sharanya Rao and on the mridangam by Sri Srinivasan Krishnan. Sharadh’s main piece was Ranjani Niranjani Ratna, a composition of Sri GNB. Sharadh’s extensive manodharmam in Ranjani captured the attention of the morning audience, with his creative alapana and fluid brigas evoking the style of Sri GNB himself. Kum Rachana Murali Narayanan’s melodic vocal recital followed. She was accompanied on the violin by Kum Shreya Gopi and on the mridangam by Sri Srinivasan Krishnan. Rachana’s neatly-crafted repertoire for the morning included Nera Nammithi in Kanada, followed by Sri GNB’s composition Ninnu Pogada in Kunthalavarali. Her soulful rendition of Enna Gaanu Rama Bhajana in Pantuvarali was supplemented with inventive kalpanaswarams. Her loyal audience was evidently thrilled with her development into a competent stage performer at such a young age.

Before the second half commenced, SIFAS General Secretary Dr Kasinathan spoke briefly about the SIFAS Alumni’s growth and encouraged its efforts in commemorating events like this. He also introduced a special guest, Sri GNB’s grandson Mr Balasubramaniam, a Singapore resident who had come to hear of the remembrance event through SIFAS Alumni’s social media publicity. It was a pleasant surprise to all, and the event proceeded with Mr Balasubramaniam’s blessings and well-wishes.

The second half comprised of invigorating vocal concerts by Sri Sudarshan Narasimhan and Sri Nishanth Thiagarajan, who had both conceptualized and spearheaded the efforts to commemorate this remembrance event. Sudarshan was accompanied on the violin by Kum Sharanya Rao and on the mridangam by Sri Muthusubramaniam. He began with Samaanarahithey, a composition by Sri GNB in the rare ragam: Sarangatarangini. Sudarshan’s main piece in Bhairavi was expertly explored; his elaborate alapana, brisk neraval and free-flowing kalpanaswarams embellishing an immaculate rendition of Sri GNB’s composition, Gathi Verevarmma. The remembrance concluded with a concert by Sri Nishanth, who was accompanied by Sri Sharadh Rajaraman on the violin and Sri Ganesh Jayabal on the mridangam. Nishanth’s concert included a mix of classics like Ragasudha rasa and less popular compositions like Jaya Jaya Padmanabha in Sarasangi. A soul-stirring presentation of Reetigowlai left the audience longing for more.

All in all, the Sri GNB remembrance event was a grand success. It was well-attended and well-appreciated by audience and artistes alike. An event like this allowed us to reminisce and commemorate a true legend of Carnatic Music, while also providing a platform for senior students and graduates of SIFAS to perform.