Violin maestro Padma Bhushan M.S. Gopalakrishnan whose career spanned over 75 years died at a city hospital following complaints of breathlessness
M.S. Gopalakrishnan — legendary violinist known for his mastery of both the Carnatic and Hindustani systems of classical music — passed away early on Thursday after a brief illness. He was 82.
Hailing from the celebrated Parur lineage, MSG, as he is fondly referred to in music circles, started performing as a little boy, barely eight, along with his elder brother M.S. Anantharaman, also a veteran violinist. He trained under his father Parur Sundaram Iyer.
MSG was among the most sought-after accompanists of his generation, and had a remarkable career, accompanying stalwarts such as Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Alathur Brothers, G.N. Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, M.L. Vasanthakumari, M. Balamuralikrishna and Maharajapuram Santhanam. As an accompanist, he embellished a concert by complementing the main artist’s ideas with rare sensitivity. He would swiftly interpret the main artist’s musical expressions, and lend support in an absolutely unobtrusive manner — a quality that continues to inspire many young musicians today.
In his career spanning 75 years, he not only broke new ground as an accompanist, but also rose to become one of the best solo violinists in the country, along with Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and T.N. Krishnan. The three are considered the ‘violin trinity’ of south Indian classical music.
Despite enviable success and accolades that came in the form of national honours such as the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, and innumerable titles, including the ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ title awarded by The Music Academy, Chennai, MSG remained a very simple, unassuming person. He is survived by his wife Meenakshi, daughters, M. Narmadha (violinist and prime disciple), Latha and violinist-son Suresh.
Oh My god. This is a terrible loss to indian
classical musical community on earth. Tears rolled
down my eyes. Words cant explain this terrible loss
.
na-bhootho-na-bhavishyathi- violin genius on earth
- taken away by heavens.
When I hear any such news, God seems greedy, he
wants good, great, outstanding, marvellous people
with him.
What we lost, the heavens have gained.
Sincerely hope Shri MSG didn't go through any
suffering.
He is most respected in our entire family for his
great music & qualities.
I feel extremely lucky to have met, talked,
snatched opportunities to take him around to
concert venues whenever possible, visited his home,
touched his feet, sought his blessings.
Since my introduction to music 29yrs ago, there is
not a day when I don't talk about him. He is always
& will always be in our thoughts.
I made so many great friends just talking about MSG
& his great immortal music.
May his soul rest in peace.
very sad about this event,
ARDENT fan of MSG.
Prasad Mantraratnam
MSG was a class act with in-depth knowledge of both Carnatic and
Hindustani music. Equally impressive was his humility and the
unlimited enthusiasm he brought to please his audience. Music has
lost one of its most ardent devotees.
A great loss to the music fraternity. A humble musician who charmed the
Carnatic music world with an unique bowing style. His mastery over the
foreign instrument and in both Carnatic and hindustani style of music is
unparalleled. May his soul rest in peace.
I have been listening to Carnatic Music since my age 7 and the first
concert I listened was that of MSG where he accompanied BV Raman-
Lakshmanan with Palghat Raghu & Vinayakram. This was in the year 1970
at SGS Sabha Kalyana Mantapam. That concert inspired me for both music
& mrudangam and I started learning mrudangam at that age and MSG
became a an ICON in my mind and he is the most distinguished Violin
Mastereo I even came across in 43 of my listening to Carnatic
music......
As a person he was simple, loving and always willing to help those who
seek his help and guidance......
I have visited his residence a few times at Appasamy Koil St Myp & was
blessed by him
MSG, the violin maestro, was humility personified! May his soul RIP.
Indeed a great loss to music fraternity. Whehever i check the youtube first thing i type M.S. Gopalakrishnan. Ond should observe his fingering technique. such an efforless way of playing an instrument like violin. MSG will be remembered as a LEGEND in all the three forms of Classical Music (Carnatic, Hisdustani and Western).
May his soul rest in peace.
A great loss to Carnatic music. MSG as a violin player was a
delight to hear. I remember his smiling face whenever and wherever he played. And unlike many other musicians, he was very unassuming and never threw his weight about. May his soul rest in peace! The only consolation is that we have his daughter Narmadha to carry on the Parur school of violin playing.
A great stalwart of Carnatic music passed away causing a big vacuum which cannot be easily filled. A humble and simple man who was known all over for his music which was soothing to the ears. He was the accompaniment for many of the great Carnatic vocal musicians and the concerts will always be remembered. The initials MS stood for Mrs. MS. Subbulakshmi and Mr. MS. Gopalkrishnan and both are gone!MS will be remembered for his style of playing the violin for a long time.
Apart from his 'knowledge' of both the Carnatic and Hindustani music,
his mastery over the instrument was unmatched and mind-boggling and he
was a benchmark for younger artistes. He had evolved a style (Baani) of
his own.He was a living legend indeed.
This is sad news. After the demise of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar recently, this is one more blow for Indian music enthusiasts. MSG was one among the three great violinists regarded as the Violin Trinity - Lalgudi Jayaraman and T N Krishnan being the others - and his passing away marks the end of an era. It would be no exaggeration to state that with their mastery of the instrument and of music, their unique yet sublime styles and their unforgettable performances, the trio has left an indelible stamp on the canvas of Indian music. Salutations to MSG.. I am sure his aatma will merge with the naadabrahmam.
What a loss to the musical world..all rasikas are grieving for this loss
today..I personally remember meeting him several years ago and spending
some time talking with him..a very simple and gentle personality..he
brought much enjoyment to the music lovers, without any fanfare...we are
all blessed to be able to listen to his music on several media today and
in future.
What an irrepairable loss for Carnatic Music!!!!This is probably the worst ever start in the year 2013 for Carnatic Music!!!!!
Great genius.Loss to music lovers.May his soul rest in peace.
Really a very great loss for carnatic field...-)Violin Maestro, he was one of the living legends which we have all seen....kudas to his great works for carnatic music..
A great artist and an irreperable loss to carntic music
What a pity! I attended his concerts several times and the one at
Adelaide was the most enchanting. He started the recital at 7 pm and
completed at 00:30 hours (mid-night). It was a flawless performance.
The song "Bhagyada Lakshmi Bharamma" was performed so well, that
Goddess Lakshmi was literally present there - at least I felt that
way. That one song lasted some 35 minutes.
I would miss him. What a performer! A great loss to the Carnatic
music.
A big loss to the music fraternity.
A HUGE LOSS TO WORLD OF CARNATIC MUSIC WHO ALSO EXCELLED IN HINDUSTANI MUSIC... RIP ....
Truly a master of his art. I still can not get over some of the concerts he has played
with Late. Kalyanaraman Sir. That matya thaala pallavi (in 4 ranjanis) where he
matched Kalyanaraman sir'r brilliance of rapid switch of raagas with matching reply's
is something to revere for many generations. His solo as well as accompaniment for
many a stalwarts are brilliance of the highest order. May his soul rest in peace. He
will be missed! We have lost another great within a span of a month.
A great loss to music freternity. His departure has left a great void in carnatic music.
may his soul rest in peace
A magnificent violinist has passed from us. May his soul rest eternal.
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to read the article by Ms. Narmadha aboout her great father and today the sad news. One great and albeit unique artiste in every right, MSG. His bowing will for ever. Thank you.
The death of violin maestro M S Gopalakrishnan is a great loss to Carnatic music. A connoisseur of music, MSG was always spoken of in the same breath as the other two stalwarts Lalgudi Jayaraman and T N Krishnan and was extremely popular among both the cognoscenti and the hoi polloi. May his soul rest in peace.
A great loss to the Carnatic world. I used to listen to recordings of MSG as a child. Even though I've never learnt the violin, MSG made Carnatic music seem so accessible. He was truly a master at what he did.
Rest in peace.
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