Harikatha SATHGURU THYAGARAJA KEERTHANAI VILAKKAMBrahmasri T.S.Balakrishna Sastrigal

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T.S.BALAKRISHNA SASTRIGAL

Brahmasri T.S.Balakrishna Sastrigal’s penchant for and expertise in rendering and visualising Sathguru Thyagaraja’s compositions are legendary. In this very rare video retrieval from archives (picture clarity to be forgiven for content value), TSB had meticulously hand picked certain Keerthanas for elaborate delineation in his own inimitable perspective and style. Many students as well as connoisseurs of music who have heard as also sung these keerthanas are bound to get a new insight to these compositions.

On Brahmasri T. S. Balakrishna Sastrigal (1919-2003)
Born in Thiruvidaimaruthur, near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, he began performing at the age of 23 and held sway over Harikatha Kalakshebam for over 6 decades. A former senior executive of State Bank of India, his very name was synonymous with this traditional art of story-telling.

With an amazing and unmatched command over the Vedas, Puranas, Sastras, classical music and a score of languages, he held the audience spell-bound with his flair, fervour, felicity of expression and a resonant voice. Among the countless titles and honors that were conferred on him, the title “Harikatha Rathnakara” bestowed on him by both the Paramachariyals of Kamakoti and Sringeri peetams simultaneously at Asthika Samaj, Chennai in the year 1966 stands out. Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Delhi honored him in1993. Music Academy, Chennai conferred on him the Sangeetha Kala Acharya Award in 1997. Tamil Nadu Government bestowed on him the Kalaimaamani title in 1972.