TAMIL
Carnatic musician
H. RAMAKRISHNAN
ISAIULAGA ILAVARASAR GNB: Lalitha Ram; Vikatan Publications, 757, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Rs. 65
SOME BOOKS compel you to finish reading at one go. This is one such. Lalitha Ram, though born 15 years after G.N.Balasubramaniam's (GNB) death has spent nearly 10 years to collect recordings and details of the music career of the `prince charming' of Carnatic music.
There is high drama in the book, like how the Thanjavur Anjaneyar Temple Festival Committee members were divided in inviting the 25-year-old GNB to perform at the festival. There is also music in the book.
The author has not only given graphic and vivid details that are fascinating, and at times spellbinding of the genius that was GNB but also has narrated several mesmerising incidents of that eventful period.
The book also provides details of GNB's celluloid jaunt, his love for wristwatches, pens and cars, his habit of shifting his residence at regular intervals, his opinion of other musicians, his parting of ways with Palghat Mani Iyer and their strained reunion.
On January 9, 1954 at the Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, GNB prostrated before Bade Gulam Ali Khan and this generated quite a lot of protest from the leading musicians of the day. They went to the extent of using Subbudu as a cat's paw. He wrote a stinging protest against the prostration. Of course, Subbudu regretted it later!
This absorbing book, which covers the 25 years of GNB's musical career, is a must for every student, performer and `rasika' of Carnatic music.
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