Lalgudi Gopala Jayaraman Radhakrishnan, popularly known as G. J. R. Krishnan or Lalgudi Krishnan, is a

Carnatic Carnatic may refer to: *Carnatic region, Southern India *Carnatic music, the classical music of Southern India *, the name of several ships *, a minesweeper of the Royal Indian Navy *, the name of several ships of the Royal Navy See also *Karnata ...

violin The violin, sometimes referred to as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone, and is the smallest, and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in regular use in the violin family. Smaller violin-type instruments exist, including the violino picc ...

ist, vocalist and composer. He is the son and disciple of the legendary maestro Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. Over the years, Krishnan has nurtured and propagated the legacy of the Lalgudi Bani, while also blending his own artistic elements. His style is defined by technique, bhava, laya, and a philosophical adherence to the notion that the violin must closely mimic the human voice. Lalgudi Krishnan was awarded with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2015. This is the highest Indian recognition given to people in the field of performing arts. Along with his sister, Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, the duo was honored with the prestigious ''Sangita Kalanidhi'' award from the

Madras Music Academy Madras Music Academy is one of the earliest established music academies in South India. Before the concept of infrastructure was introduced to India in the early 1920s, it was a gathering for elite musicians simply called (and is still more ...

in 2022. This is considered the highest accolade in the field of Carnatic music.

Early life and background

Lalgudi Krishnan was born to violin maestro

Lalgudi Jayaraman Lalgudi Gopala Iyer Jayaraman (17 September 1930 – 22 April 2013) was an Indian Carnatic violinist, vocalist and composer. He is commonly grouped with M.S. Gopalakrishnan and T.N.Krishnan as part of the violin trinity of Carnatic mu ...

and Rajalakshmi. Though a post graduate in commerce and a cost and works accountant and a company secretary education, Krishnan has dedicated his life to a career in music.

Career

Lalgudi G. J. R. Krishnan debuted in 1973. His style, like his father's, is the gayaka style closest to vocal rendition. He travels extensively on musical tours all over the world. * G J R Krishnan typically performs duets with his sister,

Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi is a well-known Carnatic violinist, vocalist and composer. She was chosen for the Sangeetha Kalanidhi award by Madras Music Academy in 2022. Early life Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi was born in Chennai to violin maestro Lalgudi ...

, a violin Vidushi. * G J R Krishnan's world tours include performances * Lincoln Center, New york * a symphony, "Sunada Pravaham" (June 2004-conducted by G J R Krishnan) at the Singapore Arts Festival * Tropical Institute of Amsterdam * Concertgebouw-Amsterdam for the Indo Amsterdam Festival * Smithsonian Institution-Washington, USA * India festival in the erstwhile USSR * Purcell Room, London

Awards

Awards Krishnan has won include: * 2022-

Sangita Kalanidhi Sangita Kalanidhi () is the title awarded annually to a Carnatic musician by the Madras Music Academy. From 1929 to 1941, the award did not exist. The award was conceived in 1942 by Academy President K. V. Krishnaswami Iyer and on 1 January ...

from the

. * 2017- 8th Indira Sivasailam Endowment Medal from the Indira Sivasailam Foundation and the Music Academy, Chennai * 2015 –

Sangeet Natak Academi Award Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Mu ...

* 2009 – ''Sangeetha Kalasagara'' Award from Kalasagaram (conferred at the 42nd Annual Cultural Festival of Music, Dance & Drama) * 2006 – ''

Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government ...

'' from the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram,

Government of Tamil Nadu The Government of Tamil Nadu () is the administrative body responsible for the governance of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is the capital of the state and houses the state executive, legislature and head of judiciary. Under the Const ...

'' * 1998 – Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Award, the Kalki Krishnamurthy Centenary year from the Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Trust * 1998 – ''

Sangeetha Choodamani Sangeetha Choodamani () is an award bestowed on selected carnatic musicians by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai (India) every year. The Sabha conducts a music festival called '' Gokulashtami Sangeetha Utsavam'' for 60 days during August - October ...

'' award conferred by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai, * 1986 – Best Violinist Award from the Music Academy, Chennai

Discography

* Bow to the violins

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Krishnan, G J R Indian violinists Carnatic composers Tamil musicians 1960 births Living people 21st-century Indian violinists Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award