Facebook Twitter Instagram
    India Art Review
    • Dance
    • Music
    • Art
    • Heritage
    • Theatre
    • Books
    • Films
    • Team
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    India Art Review
    Home»Obituaries»Violin Maestro TN Krishnan: A Natural Musician
    Obituaries

    Violin Maestro TN Krishnan: A Natural Musician

    IAR DeskBy IAR DeskNovember 3, 2020
    Violin Maestro TN Krishnan: A Natural Musician
    Share
    WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram

    Playing notes steeped in dignity and simplicity, TN Krishnan (1928-2020) was an exemplar of the Carnatic violin, remembers S Saketharaman

    A unique blend of quite a few elements made TN Krishnan’s music distinct from his equally illustrious contemporaries, but I will tell you more about that soon. First, about the looks of the maestro. How good-looking! He carried a noble air, which in Tamil we say raajakalai (royal looks). With his well-combed hair, clean-shaven face and ironed clothes, TNK appeared perpetually fresh. It’s rarely people grow in handsomeness as they advance in age. TNK, doubtlessly, was one.

    For all the apparent aristocracy, TNK was very simple at heart. Sadly, I haven’t had an opportunity to interact with him personally. But from stories around, he was definitely down to earth.

    It can’t be otherwise, going by his artistry. An elegant austerity was the hallmark of his conduct on the dais. Each note was dignified, pure.

    Two highlights

    Dignity and purity. I highlight this because I find these two most striking about TNK’s musicianship. In Carnatic, there was a period (till seven years ago) when TNK formed a trio with stalwarts Lalgudi Jayaraman and M S Gopalakrishnan of his generation.

    Lalgudi (1930-2013), my own guru, was more known for his brilliance and aesthetics. MSG (1931-2013) was a manifestation of mastery and virtuosity. When it comes to TNK, let me repeat, dignity and purity of the notes were the most striking.

    What I meant is there won’t be a moment you wait to clap when it’s TNK playing. It is so full of gravitas all the time. He made no effort to show off anywhere. He was least keen to be playful. No trace a gimmick either.

    In short, you just listen to a TNK concert in complete silence. You forget to applaud in between. For, there is no chosen time for it. It is simply sweetness in tranquillity. This is rare in south Indian classical. Very few masters own this feature. Say, a KV Narayanaswamy, an MD Ramanathan.

    Coming to another yesteryear titan, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar (1896-1974) used to evaluate three violin-mridangam combinations, which he thought was the best in his times. With a tinge of self-styled humour, Bhagavathar, I’ve read somewhere, would say: Jayaram-Sivaram, Gopala-Gopala and Krishnan-Raman. That is Lalgudi with Umayalpuram Sivaraman, MSG with TV Gopalakrishnan and TNK with Vellore Ramabhadran.

    Bang on! Again, the mridangam of Vellore sir (1929-2012) bore a mix of sweetness and simplicity, which only TNK’s violin can match. Both gave us an experience where we can only be happy. So peaceful, we fail to dissect how or from where it comes. You simply can’t measure TNK’s musicianship with your intelligence. There can be no manmade yardsticks for it.

    Innate flair

    Saketharaman
    Saketharaman is a Carnatic
    musician based in Chennai

    TNK was a natural musician. By that, I no way imply that his formative years were devoid of hard work. Most of us do slog, but it sometimes shows on stage. TNK never sweated while playing the violin. The alapanam, kriti, neraval, swaraprastaram…everything will just flow on their own.

    Brevity. Another quality! I infer that came from the iconic Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar (1890-1967). TNK, as a youngster, had accompanied Ariyakudi in several kacheris. There’s an Ariyakudi piece in Varali I keep listening to a lot. A Thiruppavai. Aazhimazhai Kanna. It spans a mere 10 minutes, but the rendition encompasses everything about the raga.

    I enjoy the pleasure of getting accompaniment on the violin by a TNK disciple. Charumathi Raghuraman. When she plays, I am often reminded of TNK. And also his sister N Rajam, who specialises in Hindustani violin.

    TNK never went for long-winding ideas. His bowing was crisp, to the point. I think it is a valuable tip for any of us into Carnatic music.

    Also read: An IAR Interview with TN Krishnan.

    Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar Charumathi Raghuraman Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar featured Instrumental KV Narayanaswamy Lalgudi Jayaraman MD Ramanathan MS Gopalakrishnan N Rajam Obituary TN Krishnan TV Gopalakrishnan Umayalpuram Sivaraman Vellore Ramabhadran Violin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleRemembering Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma
    Next Article RLV Ramakrishnan Triggers Casteism Row in the Kerala Art World
    IAR Desk

      Related Posts

      Mangad Natesan

      Remembering Carnatic Musician Mangad Natesan

      May 3, 2024
      O S Thiagarajan

      O S Thiagarajan: Maestro of Melodic Grace, Passes Away at 76

      December 31, 2023
      P K G Nambiar

      PKG Nambiar(1930-2023): The Man who Redefined the Role of Vidooshaka

      May 10, 2023

      1 Comment

      1. Muthuswamy Narayanswamy on March 16, 2024 1:25 am

        My name is Swamy. I am now 85. Dur8ng my yound days I used stay in Kingscircle near Police Station/Railway Station. My father D N Swamy along with T V Ramanajum/R S Mani/T N P Easwar/R Mahadevan/Seshadri/Kuppuswamy founded the Shamughanand Arts. Most of them were working General Motors, which was closed down later by PAL and Hindustan Motors, becuase they could not sell their Cars.
        The above people used arranged Kacheris in Bombay inviting many classic artists like G N Balasubramanina/Semmangudi /Sembai viadyanathar/T N Krishnan/Palghat Mani Iyer/M S Subhhalakshmi/Kamala Lakshnan (Dance) and others for the Bomabaites. Best combination of G N Balasubramanian/Palghat Mani Iyer/T N Krishnan. T N Krishnan used to stay in the neighbouring buidling whenever he comes down to Bombay since he had relation staying in that building. I have seen him personally , thanks to my father. All memories cam back when I saw a video of his program . Sad to know he has attained Shivlokha Prapti. May his soud in rest in Peace.

        Reply

      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      Author In Focus VK Karthika

      Pathaan

      Pathaan: A Triumph of Love Over Hate

      V K KarthikaMarch 31, 2023

      Pathaan breaks the typical stereotype of Islamic Terrorism.

      Avatar

      Eastern Ethos Lifts up Cameron’s Avatar Sequel

      V K KarthikaJanuary 31, 2023

      Eastern ethos and laws of the nature are set to get a new tech-driven meaning as Cameron is planning two more sequels.

      Yazh

      Reviving Yazh, the Indian Harp

      V K KarthikaNovember 28, 2022

      Without Tharun, Yazh, an ancient instrument would not have taken birth in modern times

      Tholppavakoothu

      Girl Power up in Puppetry

      V K KarthikaSeptember 30, 2022

      Rajitha Ramachandra Pulavar and her team gave a new meaning to Tholppavakkooth and the body politics went in for a change in 2021

      Nanjiyamma tribal singer of Attappady

      Why the National Award for Tribal Singer Nanjiyamma Matters

      V K KarthikaAugust 27, 2022

      India witnessed a debate on the ‘purity of music’ when tribal singer Nanjiyamma won the National Award.

      EVENTS

      Nangiyarkoothu

      Celebrating 60 Years of Dance Excellence

      India Art ReviewMay 23, 2025

      Swara-dhi: A Soulful Summer Camp for Music Connoisseurs

      India Art ReviewMay 23, 2025
      Sooryakanthi festival

      Sooryakanthi Dance Festival From Nov 28- Dec 1

      India Art ReviewNovember 25, 2024

      Memorial Awards and Dance Performances in Chennai

      India Art ReviewNovember 25, 2024

      Have You Read These?

      Youth

      The Fountain of Youth

      Vineeth AbrahamMay 16, 2023

      What will happen when a bookworm set out to clean his library? One of the…

      The Elephant Whisperers

      Poetics of Fostering the Animal: The Elephant Whisperers

      Babu Rajan P PMay 1, 2023

      With the decline of natural habitats, human-elephant conflict has seen a surge, often leaving the majestic creatures as unwitting participants. “The Elephant Whisperers” documentary pays homage to the conservation endeavors aimed at preserving these habitats and raising awareness among communities about the perils of anthropocentrism.

      1899 and the Virtual Studio: Futuristic Filmmaking

      IAR DeskMarch 12, 2023

      1899, the new web series from the creators of German masterpiece Dark, will be filmed entirely in a virtual studio. Here’s all you wanted to know about ‘Volume’ and why it matters to futuristic filmmaking.

      Yazh

      Reviving Yazh, the Indian Harp

      V K KarthikaNovember 28, 2022

      Without Tharun, Yazh, an ancient instrument would not have taken birth in modern times

      A ‘Lyrical Dance’ Tribute to Edassery’s Poem

      G S PaulNovember 8, 2022

      Choreographic ingenuity of Vinitha Nedungadi created alluring visuals of the sublime poetic imagination of Edassery in Anthithiri.

      vijayakumar menon

      Vijayakumar Menon Taught Kerala How to Appreciate Art

      Renu RamanathNovember 3, 2022

      The only wealth Menon amassed during his solitary journey was that of art. When Vijayakumar…

      About
      About

      India Art Review is a dedicated digital journal of art and culture, based in Chennai and with representatives in Kerala, Delhi, the UAE, Canada and the US.

      We're social, connect with us:

      Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Telegram
      People in Art
      Fr. Paul Poovathingal: Singing Priest With a Healing Voice

      Fr. Paul Poovathingal: Singing Priest With a Healing Voice

      May 25, 2021
      ML Vasanthakumari MLV: The Doyenne of Melody, Laya and Vidhvatta

      MLV: The Doyenne of Melody, Laya and Vidhvatta

      July 3, 2021
      Pasumarthi Rathiah Sharma: A Protagonist of Yakshagana Bani of Kuchipudi

      Pasumarthi Rathiah Sharma: A Protagonist of Yakshagana Bani of Kuchipudi

      April 29, 2021
      Prince George: Music for all Moods

      Prince George: Music for all Moods

      May 29, 2021
      Must Reads
      Mangad Natesan

      Remembering Carnatic Musician Mangad Natesan

      May 3, 2024
      P K G Nambiar

      PKG Nambiar(1930-2023): The Man who Redefined the Role of Vidooshaka

      May 10, 2023
      Kanak Rele

      Dr. Kanak Rele (1937-2023): A Revolutionary in Dance 

      February 22, 2023
      Pandit Shivkumar Sharma

      Adieu, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma

      May 10, 2022
      Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
      • Home
      • About
      Copyright © 2022. India Art Review

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.