On the eve of Vijayadashami, I organized a gathering of all my music students, past and present and keeping with the tradition of the auspicious event, they all sang different krithis. It made me reminisce my own childhood and my guru, Shri Ochira Balakrishnan, who was a major influence in shaping my music
Balakrishnan sir taught at the Trivandrum Music College and retired as its Principal. He himself was a disciple of the renowned Late Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He had a home at Tripunithara, a suburb in Cochin. He traveled the 4 hour journey back and forth once or twice a week and taught students privately in Ernakulam. I was one of them and I guess one of his favorites too. I remember the days when I had to get up at 4 am in the morning and get ready for a 5 AM class. There were times when I was frustrated and did not want to continue but his perseverance and my mother’s adamance won over my indolence.
He introduced me to various raagas both simple and complex, He led me through the intricacies of Thodi and Bharavi and infused into me the habit of constant practice to achieve perfection. One of his masterpieces which helped me bag a number of awards in competitions in Kerala,Tamil Nadu and AP, was the Thyagaraja Krithi "Emi Chesithe Sri Rama" and Swathi Thirunal's "Janani Maamava".I must have practiced each krithi more than 500 times before presenting it on stage. He pushed me to participate in all competitions and was visibly pleased each time I came back triumphant. I believe that he used to sneak in unannounced and watch me perform. I used to get calls from well known light music groups in Cochin like CAC but Balakrishnan sir discouraged me from performing light music concerts and wanted me to focus on carnatic music.. and focus I did for almost 15 years.
He is no more-he succumbed to a heart attack last year. He left behind his wife and two daughters .He has also left behind a lasting legacy that will forever be an imprint and guiding light in my musical journey. I hope I can impart at least some his legacy to my own students.
May his soul rest in peace!
Balakrishnan sir taught at the Trivandrum Music College and retired as its Principal. He himself was a disciple of the renowned Late Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He had a home at Tripunithara, a suburb in Cochin. He traveled the 4 hour journey back and forth once or twice a week and taught students privately in Ernakulam. I was one of them and I guess one of his favorites too. I remember the days when I had to get up at 4 am in the morning and get ready for a 5 AM class. There were times when I was frustrated and did not want to continue but his perseverance and my mother’s adamance won over my indolence.
He introduced me to various raagas both simple and complex, He led me through the intricacies of Thodi and Bharavi and infused into me the habit of constant practice to achieve perfection. One of his masterpieces which helped me bag a number of awards in competitions in Kerala,Tamil Nadu and AP, was the Thyagaraja Krithi "Emi Chesithe Sri Rama" and Swathi Thirunal's "Janani Maamava".I must have practiced each krithi more than 500 times before presenting it on stage. He pushed me to participate in all competitions and was visibly pleased each time I came back triumphant. I believe that he used to sneak in unannounced and watch me perform. I used to get calls from well known light music groups in Cochin like CAC but Balakrishnan sir discouraged me from performing light music concerts and wanted me to focus on carnatic music.. and focus I did for almost 15 years.
He is no more-he succumbed to a heart attack last year. He left behind his wife and two daughters .He has also left behind a lasting legacy that will forever be an imprint and guiding light in my musical journey. I hope I can impart at least some his legacy to my own students.
May his soul rest in peace!
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