As a befitting tribute to legendary singer Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, the State government has plans to set up a music college at his birthplace— Sankaraguptam village in East Godavari district. The government has also plans to construct a memorial and set up a museum after him.
“If the family members of Balamuralikrishna hand over the awards received by the singer, the government will preserve them in a museum,” said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
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Cash award
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To take forward the museum proposal, a three-member committee comprising singer’s son Abhiram, Government Advisor (Communications) Parakala Prabhakar, and ghazal singer Srinivas would be constituted, Mr. Naidu said, participating in the 87th birth anniversary celebrations of the legendary vocalist here on Thursday. The singer’s birthplace should be an inspiration for budding singers and musicians. The music students should dream to go to Sankaraguptam and pursue music courses. The government would felicitate a musician every year during Balamuralikrishna’s birth anniversary celebrations, which would be organised as a State festival. A cash award of ₹10 lakh would be given to the musician, he said. Mr. Prabhakar said it was a matter of pride that he was a Telugu and hailed from this region. Annavarapu Ramaswamy, a violinist and companion of Balamuralikrishna, urged the Chief Minister to introduce music at elementary schools in the State.
Mr. Naidu felicitated the doyen’s disciple D.V. Mohana Krishna, Vasireddi Amarnath who donated the statue of Balamuralikrishna and others. The statue was unveiled on the premises of Tummalapalli Kalakshsetram. He also launched the Balamuralikirshna Trust.