M. S. Gopalakrishnan

M.S. Gopalakrishnan, aka MSG, (b.10 June 1931, Mylapore, Chennai, India,) is a violinist in the field of Carnatic music. He has been a recipient of the Padma Sri, Kalaimamani, Sangeetha Kalanidhi and 1997 Sangeet Natak Akademi awards, and is commonly grouped with Lalgudi Jayaraman and T.N.Krishnan as part of the violin-trinity of carnatic music.

Life and career

Gopalakrishnan was taught violin by his father, the late Professor Parur Sundaram Iyer, who was well-versed in North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) systems of Indian classical music. He learnt both systems from his father, with whom he gave his first performance at 8 years old.

He has played the violin for over fifty years as a soloist and accompanist, having accompanied Omkarnath Thakur and D. V. Paluskar, and has toured Australia, the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

His daughter, Dr M. Narmadha, is also a violinist.

Technique

Gopalakrishnan has researched playing technique, and has developed the particular fingering and bowing disciplines of the "Parur style" to produce a clarity of sound and speed of delivery. His style includes one-finger playing and a thematic development on single-string octaves.

Violinist Yehudi Menuhin said of a Gopalakrishnan's playing: "I have not heard such violin in all my travels! How superbly this young Indian is playing our instrument".

Awards

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