Melakkaveri K. Balaji

Melakkaveri K. Balaji, was born on 31.10.1969. His father Shri.Melakkaveri K.Krishnamurthy is a renowned Mridangam Artiste. He has a B.A degree in English Literature and is a wholetime performing Mridangam Artiste.

Professional Aspects :

He had (both initial and advanced) training and tutelage in Mridangam under his father Shri Melakkaveri K. Krishnamurthy, a well known Mridangam Vidwan.

From the year 1983, he is a full time professional performing Mridangam Artiste in the field of Carnatic Music regularly accompanying almost all senior/junior Vidwans and Vidhushis both in their vocal and instrumental music concerts all over India and also abroad.

Attainments:

Regularly participating as mridangam accompaniment to the music concerts held in December every year in organisations such as Music Academy, Bharat Kalachar, Indian Fine Arts Society, Narada Gana Sabha, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Karthik Fine Arts, Kapali Fine Arts, Nungambakkam Cultural Academy Trust, etc.

Conferred on 15th December 1995 the prestigious title of 'YUVA KALA BHARATI' by Bharat Kalachar, Madras-17 for the year 1995. The above title was conferred by Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr.M. Balamurali Krishna in the august presence of Sangeetha Kalanidhis Dr.Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer and Smt.M.S. Subbalakshmi. He has also been conferred the title ‘LAYA GNANA ILAMANI’ at Kumbakonam and ‘NADA OLI’ by Nada Inbam in the year 2003. In the same year, he was honoured with the ‘EXCELLENCY AWARD’ for Mridangam by Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Trust.

He is an 'A' Grade Artiste in Mridangam by All India Radio, Madras and is regularly playing for concerts in All India Radio, Madras and Doordardhan Kendra, Madras.

Travel Abroad:

He has extensively travelled abroad and performed in concerts in USA, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Australia, Kenya & Sri Lanka & New Zealand.

His younger brother Melakkaveri K. Thyagarajan is also a whole time performing Violin Artiste in Carnatic Music field.