G. N. Balasubramaniam

2025-04-27T11:27:11Z

94.58.145.42: /* Career */

{{Short description|Indian carnatic singer (1910–1965)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = G. N. Balasubramaniam
| background = solo_singer
| image = Shakunthala 1940 film 1.jpg
| caption = G. N. Balasubramaniam and M. S. Subbulakshmi in the 1940 Tamil film ''Shakuntalai''
| image_size = 200px
| birth_date = {{birth date|1910|01|06|df=yes}}
| origin = Gudalur, [[Mayavaram]], [[Mayiladuthurai district]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]
| occupation = Singer
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1965|05|01|1910|01|06|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Madras]], [[Madras State]], India
| years_active = 1920–1965
| genre = [[Carnatic music|Carnatic music - Indian Classical Music]]
| label =
}}
{{Indian name|Balasubramaniam|Narayanaswamy}}
'''Gudalur Narayanaswamy Balasubramaniam''' (6 January 1910 – 1 May 1965), popularly known as '''GNB''', was an Indian [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] singer. He innovated the art through emphasis on ''laya ''control and reducing the ''gamakas'' which eventually made Carnatic music appeal to the lay and the learned alike.<ref name=ml/> He was also a Tamil film actor. Ariyakudi Iyengar inspired him.

He was born in Gudalur, a small village in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu (then called the Madras Presidency), which is close to [[Mayiladuthurai|Mayavaram]]. He was the son of G V Narayanaswamy Iyer, who was a music student. Throughout his younger years, he closely observed the techniques of the musicians of his day. Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar became his manasika guru and inspiration. While his father hoped that GNB would become a successful lawyer, he was intent on pursuing his musical ambitions. He completed his BA (Hons) in English Literature at the Christian College, Chennai, and took up a short music course at [[Annamalai University]]. under the guidance of T S Sabesa Iyer, but discontinued due to ill health. However, he joined the diploma course in music at Madras University in the first batch and Tiger Varadhachariar was the principal. Within 2 years, he was ready for concert performances. He gave his first concert in 1928.

==Career==
He acted in films, including ''[[Bama Vijayam (1934 film)|Bama Vijayam]]'' (1934), [[Sathi Anusuya]] (1937), ''[[Sakuntalai]]'' (1940), [[Udayanan Vasavadatta]] (1947) (with Vasundhara Devi, mother of Vijayanthimala) and [[Rukmangadhan]] (1947). In "Sakunthalai", he appeared as Dushyantha, alongside the vocalist [[M.S. Subbulakshmi]]. M.S. Subbulakshmi was fascinated by his music and embraced his style completely in her early years as mentioned in the book ''M S - A Life in Music'' by TJS George. After a short stint in the film industry, GNB returned to the Carnatic music fraternity, until his passing in 1965.
[[File:GNBalasubramaiam.gif|thumb|GN Balasubramaniam]]
GNB was known for brigha-laden and brisk music, and emerged as one of the most prominent [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] musicians of the era, drawing hundreds of people to each concert. He was famous for his renderings of "[[Vatapi Ganapatim|Vathapi Ganapathim]]" by [[Muthuswami Dikshitar|Mutthuswamy Dikshitar]] and "Vinayaka Ninnu vina" by E. V. Ramakrishna Bhagavathar, both in the ragam [[Hamsadhvani|Hamsadhwani]]. It was after hearing his rapid rendition of Vathapi that his father placed him under formal music training. He also frequently sang songs in the ragam [[Kamavardhani|Panthuvarali]], such as "Paripalaya Sarasiruha" and "Siva Siva Siva", composed by [[Swathi Thirunal|Maharaja Swathi Thirunal]] and [[Tyagaraja|Tyagaraja Swami]] respectively. After singing either a long main piece or a [[Ragam Thanam Pallavi|Ragam Tanam Pallavi]], famous ones being "Unadarishanam Kidaikumo" in [[Kalyani (raga)|Kalyani]] and "Tilai Eesanai Ka" in [[Kambhoji]], he would finish the concert with his popular [[bhajan]]s and thukuddas, most notably "Dikku Teriyadha Kaatil" by [[Subramania Bharati|Subramanya Bharati]], "Radha Mukha Kamala" in the ragam Hindustani Kapi by Sri [[Papanasam Sivan]], and "Radha Sametha Krishna" in the [[raga]] Misra Yaman.

Sri GNB also released many records over his career, most notably the [[kriti (music)|krithi]] "Vasudevayani" in the ragam [[Kalyani (raga)|Kalyani]] by [[Tyagaraja|Saint Tyagaraja]], which reportedly earned him Rs 10,000, or around ₹818,153.88 in the present day. Other songs he was famous for include "Brochevarevarura" in Kamas by [[Mysore Vasudevachar]]iar, "Marukelara O Raghava" in the [[raga]]m Jayanthasri by [[Tyagaraja|Saint Tyagaraja]], "Maragathavallim Manasa" in [[Kambhoji|Kamboji]] by [[Muthuswami Dikshitar|Mutthuswamy Dikshitar]], "Swaminatha Paripalaya" in Nattai by [[Muthuswami Dikshitar|Mutthuswamy Dikshitar]], "Ragasudha rasa" in [[Andolika|Andholika]] by [[Tyagaraja|Saint Tyagaraja]], and others.

He composed over 250 krithis, most in Telugu with a few in Sanskrit and Tamil. GNB also invented new [[raga]]s. He taught a number of students during his active years. Most famous among them are [[M. L. Vasanthakumari]], [[Radha Jayalakshmi|Radha-Jayalakshmi]] duo, Tanjore [[S. Kalyanaraman]], [[Trichur V. Ramachandran]], T. R. Balu, T. S. Balasubramanian, and Ragini.<ref name="ml">{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2003/05/23/stories/2003052301640700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606133814/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2003/05/23/stories/2003052301640700.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=6 June 2011|title=GNB, the good friend|date=23 May 2003|work=The Hindu}}</ref>

==Administrative role==
GNB worked as the Deputy Chief Producer of Carnatic Music, in [[All India Radio|A.I.R]] Chennai for a number of years alongside [[Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer]] who was the Chief Producer for Carnatic Music, and [[M. Balamuralikrishna|Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna]] who was the Producer for Light Music. GNB joined the [[Swathi Thirunal College of Music]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]] as Principal in March 1964.

==Personal life==
He described the world of music as a perilous jungle and discouraged his sons and daughters from learning it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu/20131215/281655367887833|title=|via=PressReader}}</ref>
His health deteriorated and worsened after a major stroke in the late 1950s. He died on 1 May 1965, aged 55.

==Compositions (partial list)==

{|class="wikitable"
! ''Composition'' !! ''Type'' !! ''[[Raga]]'' !! ''[[Tala (music)|Tala]]'' !! ''Language'' !! ''Other Info''
|-
| ''Amboruha Padame'' || ''[[Varnam]]'' || ''[[Ranjani]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Bharama Baluni'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Hamsanadam]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Parashakthi''
|-
| ''Bhuvanatreya'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Mohanam]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Sasta''
|-
| ''Enn Manathamarai'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Ritigoulam]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Tamil language|Tamil]]'' || ''In praise of Shakti''
|-
| ''Entho Muralida'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Kanada Raga group|Kanada]]'' || ''[[Rupakam]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakti''
|-
| ''Gathi Veravarama'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Bhairavi (Carnatic)|Bhairavi]]'' || ''[[Misrachapu]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Kamakshi''
|-
| ''Intha Paraaku Neeve'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Bhairavi (Carnatic)|Bhairavi]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Bhairavi''
|-
| ''Kamala Charane'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Amruthabehag]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Shakti''
|-
| ''Karimukha Varada'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Naatai]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Ganesha''
|-
| ''Karuna Jooda Radha'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Sahana (raga)|Sahana]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Parashakthi''
|-
| ''Kavalai Ellam'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Saraswati]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Tamil language|Tamil]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Madhurapuri Kalyani'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Purvi Kalyani]]'' || ''[[Misrachapu]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Manasaraga'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Abhogi]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Marivere Gathi'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Malavi (music)|Malavi]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Prashakthi''
|-
| ''Maravakune Ninnu'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Arabhi]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Nakabhaya Vara'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Nattakurinji|Naataikurinji]]'' || ''[[Rupakam]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Parashakthi''
|-
| ''Nee Charanambhujamunu'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Keeravani]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Nee Daya Raadaa'' || ''[[Varnam]]'' || ''[[Andolika]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Nee Padame Gati'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Nalinakanthi]]'' || ''[[Rupakam]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Nee Samanamevaru'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Shubhapantuvarali|Shubhapanthuvarali]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Nirvadhi Sukhadayaki'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Malayamarutam|Malayamarutham]]'' || ''[[Rupakam]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Paritaapamu Ieka'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Shanmukhapriya]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Paraanmukhamela'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Kaanada Raga group|Kaanada]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Paramakrupasaagari'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Yadukulakambhoji]]'' || ''[[Rupakam]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Ranjani Niranjani'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Ranjani]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Sada Palaya Sarasakshi'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Mohanam]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Santhathamu Ninne Korithini'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Valaj]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Saraswati Namostute'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Saraswati]]'' || ''[[Rupakam]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Saraswati''
|-
| ''Shankara Mahadeva'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Devamanohari]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Telugu language|Telugu]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Chakra Raja Nilaye'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Siva Sakthi]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Shivananda kamavardhani''|| ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Kamavardani]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Shakthi''
|-
| ''Vara Vallabha Ramana'' || ''[[Krithi]]'' || ''[[Hamsadhwani]]'' || ''[[Adi tala|Adi]]'' || ''[[Sanskrit]]'' || ''In praise of Ganesha''
|}

==See also==
* [[List of Carnatic composers]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101223132926/http://www.gnb100.com/legendgnb.php G.N.B. Global Centenary Celebrations]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balasubramaniam, G N}}
[[Category:1910 births]]
[[Category:1965 deaths]]
[[Category:Male Carnatic singers]]
[[Category:Carnatic singers]]
[[Category:Carnatic composers]]
[[Category:Sangeetha Kalanidhi recipients]]
[[Category:Indian male composers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:People from Mayiladuthurai district]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]

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G. N. Balasubramaniam