He was the pure definition of genius: Shankar Mahadevan on M Balamuralikrishna

Veteran Carnatic musician, M Balamuralikrishna who passed away in Chennai yesterday. Pic/PTI

"I had known him for many years. Though I never got the chance to perform with him at a concert, we have performed in the same festival many times. He was a pure definition of genius. I am not just talking about his singing or his knowledge in Carnatic classical music; his ability to create was impeccable. He was perhaps the only singer who had an ability to create new kritis. He used to have the name Hari has his kriti. He invented new ragas. His knowledge not just about melody, but also the mathematics of Carnatic classical music was unbelievable. His voice used to jump two octaves. It's not humanly possible to sing what he used to deliver."

"There are many instances when we had travelled together for festivals. He was such a humble human being. We had a felicitation for my teacher in Cleveland about five years back, and he was the chief guest. He performed there too, and we had a long interaction then. He was a wonderful soul."

"He also became very popular among the masses because of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. It's a big loss. His contribution to Indian classical music will always be remembered."

As told to Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari