Sri.Balamurali Krishna's Interview Today in "The HIndu"

grsastrigal · Post by **grsastrigal** » 04 Jan 2008, 10:24

There is an interview of Sri.BMK. Two points caught my attention:-

1) "Now a days Vidwans/dhushis pay to perform in a concert"
2) "No boday has called/invited me to perform so, I did not go"

Can any one upload this interview. Some more points would come out of that. Sad to see his interview, a veteran is not even given importance as Nalli or Krishna Sweets Murali was/has been given.

jnaanasoonyam · Post by **jnaanasoonyam** » 04 Jan 2008, 11:28

grsastrigal wrote:2) "No boday has called/invited me to perform so, I did not go"

What rot! The man prices himself way above what the average sabha can afford. How many organizations are there in Chennai that can shell out the lac of rupees that he demands and then put up with his eccentricities that stem from an elephantine ego?

coolkapali · Post by **coolkapali** » 04 Jan 2008, 12:02

U have named urself very aptly. Mr Jnana Soonyam, if Pandit Jasraj can demand more than a lac for a show, ur ppl are ready to pay............why not pay BMK???????

I am not talking for BMK, but for Carnatic music. Why cant Cms be paid at par with Hindusthani musicians???? Pls ponder over this..........

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 04 Jan 2008, 12:37

A complex topic CK......I would certainly pay more for BMK than Jasraj but the economics of CM v HM are very different. JS' point is that BMK has priced himself out of the market and I too find it rather unlikely that Sahbas would not want to have him perform at their festivals....

That spawns an interesting thought. Maybe it is a good idea for an artist to limit his appearaces and therefore enhance his "scarcity value"....top artiste who perform in Chennai every other weekend no remain longer a novelty....if the same person limited his concerts to 4-5 a years and maybe 2-3 during the season I am sure people will be willing to pay much more...at least I would! But I hope no one is listening!

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 04 Jan 2008, 12:43

Here is the article http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/01/04/stor ... 130100.htm

Sam Swaminathan · Post by **Sam Swaminathan** » 04 Jan 2008, 12:44

"U have named urself very aptly. Mr Jnana Soonyam"

that was not warranted neither it was "cool". But your contention on concert fees is spot on !!

shankarabharanam · Post by **shankarabharanam** » 04 Jan 2008, 12:55

Well i got an opportunity to interview him last year after her performed with Ajoy Chakravarthy...He sighted the same reason that he wasn't invited to perform...I accept with one of the members he demands too much for a concert...Since the piece isn't online now..May i shall post a pdf format..I remember a sabha secreatry telling me "He asking a rate that we can't even think...Oru muzhu kutchery season odu rate...' (Sorry can't name the person to maintain confidentiality)....

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 04 Jan 2008, 12:58

BTW what are senior artistes and accompanists generally paid for a concert during the season

balsree · Post by **balsree** » 04 Jan 2008, 13:04

mohan wrote:Here is the article http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/01/04/stor ... 130100.htm

The article mentions that BMK is the youngest Sangeetha Kalanidhi. IIRC, the honor goes to the great SSI .

grsastrigal · Post by **grsastrigal** » 04 Jan 2008, 13:57

I do not understand the reason why he is demanding so much ? (if it is really true !!!). If you see (article), he tells "I did not perform any other concert during the season, the year in which I was conferred SK to give respect to MA !!!!". Something I was wondering how many would have done so...

bhaktha · Post by **bhaktha** » 04 Jan 2008, 14:16

balsree wrote:The article mentions that BMK is the youngest Sangeetha Kalanidhi. IIRC, the honor goes to the great SSI .

Sri Srinivasa Iyer was 39 years old when he received the SK in 1947. I don't think Shri Balamuralikrishna was younger than that.
-bhaktha

vageyakara · Post by **vageyakara** » 05 Jan 2008, 08:13

Dr.BMK , is believed to have expressed his decision not to give public performance in sabhas and that he would stick to benefit concerts for specific causes.This may be one of the reasons why sabhas do not invite him to perform.His decision was, perhaps , deemed as a virtual retirement announcement.

jayashree1960 · Post by **jayashree1960** » 06 Jan 2008, 12:41

All said and done Balamurali is a very great artist and a living legend among male artists.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 06 Jan 2008, 13:55

Given the total lack of any mechanism, or use of it if it exists, to pay royalties for the performance or recording of his compositions, I think he ought to get paid more for performing.

Imagine, if he was a European or American musician, having his compositions 'covered' and used for performances: his tilanas alone would probably be earning him a tidy sum each year.

I think we all want to see carnatic musicians financially recognised, rather than being the poor men of Indian music. Of course, the downside is that we will have to pay more for our tickets, and probably the greater names will only perform in bigger venues where the organisers can sell more tickets.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 06 Jan 2008, 14:01

In the 80s, I remember atleast two occasions when BMks concerts were touted as his last Professional Concert-Whatever that meant.

I attended one of them at Sastri Hall , with Tanjore Upendran(I forget the violinist's name , but could be MSG, because there was a distinct buzz about long time associates performing together again etc).
For a high priced ticket I could only get sitting space on the stairs and did not manage to see the artists performing.
As far as the performance was concerned , there is nothing like that today , to compare to.
Honestly speaking I ,with all my wide range of likes , am amazed at the high voltage he can bring on to his performances , when he is not too playful.
I may have missed many of the stars of the Golden Era , but these memories are sufficient for me to cup my hands and grasp whatever little stardust came my way.
That was the reason when I saw BMK standing next to sbala at academy for a full minute , busy talking to somebody, I pushed him with these words :
Quick ..Rub your shoulders with his ..Quick.The height almost matches.You can tell your grandchildren that you rubbed shoulders with....
Undoubtedly, a great artist.