One of the foremost violinists Peri Srirama Murthy passed away last Saturday due to heart attack. He’s survived by his widow, son and daughter. His son Thyagaraju, also a fine violinist, says his father was practicing for a concert he was to give when he suffered a stroke and succumbed.
The Peri family is well known for violinists. Srirama Murthy served as lecturer in the Government College of Music and Ddance. No concert of Balamuralikrishna would take place without the violin support of Srirama Murthy. He’d always be Balamurali’s first choice.
Srirama Murthy developed a style of his own, that became known as ‘Peri Style’. He earned a unique stature as ‘solo violinist’, besides being the most sought-after accompanist in South India. He has performed at many prestigious concerts in India and abroad as well.
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Sreerama Murthy was born in Kakinada and his father Peri Subba Rao was one of the most popular violinist.
Sreerama Murty gave his first concert at the age of nine. He became one of the popular violinists on AIR in the 80s. His violin concert reached even foreign lands on short wave. He adapted himself to the tune of the vocalist in his role as an accompanist.
An accompanist with the legends like Dr. Sripada Pinakapani, Balamuralikrishna, Nookala Chinna Satynarayana, Nedunoori Krishna Murthy and some legends from South. He was part of the annual Madras Music Season. He was given the ‘Best Violin Accompanist Award’ from Madras Music Academy during the early stage of his career.
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He was honoured with ‘Dr. Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar memorial Award’ for the best Senior Violinist by the Madras Music Academy. He toured USSR, Germany, U.S.A, Canada and U.K., Malaysia and Singapore and Gulf countries.
He composed a Ragamalika ‘Swara Jhari’ that became very popular and won accolades. He was conferred with many titles over this period.