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Sangeetha Surabhi award to Prof. T.N.Krishnan in November 2008

Citation presented to Prof. T.N.Krishnan by our General Secretary, Smt. Harini Raghavan on 16th November 2008 at the award ceremony of Sangeetha Surabhi

Respected Prof. T.N.Krishnan, Smt. Kamala Krishnan, Smt. Viji Krishnan Natarajan, Dr. R.K.Srikantan, ladies and gentlemen,

I consider it a great privilege to be in a position to felicitate Prof.T.N.Krishnan. This responsibility has come to me primarily as I happen to be the General Secretary of Nadasurabhi today.

I indeed feel greatly honoured.

Just as it is impossible to describe in words the sweetness of a rose’s fragrance or the beauty of a rainbow, so also is it impossible to describe the music of Prof. Krishnan in words. I will not attempt it, either.

However I will mention some aspects of Prof. Krishnan’s life and achievement in the field of Carnatic music.

T. N. Krishnan is India's preeminent violin virtuoso who has been performing, composing, teaching, and promoting Indian classical music all over the world for the past six decades.

Trippunitura Narayanan Krishnan was born on October 6, 1928 into an illustrious family of musicians acclaimed in the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions of Indian classical music. Both his parents, A. Narayana Iyer and Ammini Ammal, hailed from families of musicians. Prof. Krishnan’s first guru was his father Sri. Narayana Iyer himself, who was an extraordinary teacher and strict disciplinarian.

Prof. T.N. Krishnan was hailed as a child prodigy in Kerala and by his eighth year he was already, performing in temple festivals, accompanying visiting vidwans from the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, and attracting  the attention of the stalwarts of music.  This led to his further guidance under the legendary musician Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer who was the architect of Prof. Krishnan’s performance style.

In 1943 Prof. Krishnan traveled to Chennai,to accompany the flute virtuoso T. R. Mahalingam in concert. That landmark performance quickly led to more concert offers and within no time he had become the star accompanist to legendary musicians such as Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Musiri Subramaniya Iyer, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, G. N. Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani Iyer, Alathur Brothers and the maestro flautist T. R. Mahalingam. "Master" Krishnan, as he was fondly addressed by fans and senior musicians alike, immediately endeared himself to the audiences with his virtuosity and youthful charm. The overwhelming response and support from music lovers of Chennai forced Prof. Krishnan to permanently settle there.  Thus started his musical journey and there was no turning back!

Prof. Krishnan's music represents the purest expression of the Carnatic tradition.  His playing has a unique flair and flourish with a classical bent.  His emphasis on melodic clarity, fidelity, and his emphatic bowing technique are unparalleled in his field. His instrumental style captures the essence of the gayaka experience which delivers the music with all the depth and emotion of a human voice.  His deceptively simple style which represents the essence of music, still mesmerizes music lovers all over the globe.

Apart from his concert commitments Prof. Krishnan has also  been teaching music to a number of students, both in the traditional parampara setting and more formal academic environments. In 1965, he  joined the State Music College in Chennai as Professor of Music and subsequently served as its Principal. He also went on to serve as Dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts at the University of Delhi.

Prof. T. N. Krishnan has traveled all over the world, and for over sixty years now, he has been  performing and promoting Indian classical music, enthralling  audiences, and conducting music workshops for teaching and promoting awareness of Indian classical music.

T. N. Krishnan has been closely associated with several national and international institutions engaged in the preservation and development of the arts. He has served as the Vice-Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Academy. He has also chaired various committees for the All India Radio and state universities and academies.

T. N. Krishnan has received numerous awards and honors over the years. Most notable among them are:

Today, T. N. Krishnan is one of the elder statesmen of the classical music community in India. His rich and vibrant style has been admired and adopted by a number of the younger musicians including his daughter, Viji Krishnan Natarajan, and son, Sriram Krishnan, who carry on his musical legacy.

The maestro along with his children and rasikas has launched  the T N Krishnan Foundation for performing arts dedicated to the preservation and propagation of Indian classical music.
Prof. Krishnan continues to perfect his craft with boundless energy and curiosity. He and his wife, Kamala, continue to travel the globe performing, educating and promoting awareness and appreciation of the rich culture and musical traditions of India.

I am proud and pleased to pray on behalf of all members of Nadasurabhi and rasika’s of Bangalore , Prof.TN Krishnan, the icon of Carnatic music long life, health and happiness.
Thank you.