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G.N.Balasubramaniam

G. N. Balasubramaniam (Tamil: ஜி.என்.பாலசுப்பிரமணியம், 1910 - 1 May 1965), popularly know as GNB, was a vocalist in the Carnatic tradition.

GNB - the first and arguably the most famous acronym in Carnatic music. He was the uncrowned prince of carnatic music during his time. The name somehow still retains freshness even now, many decades after his passing away. A reflection of his style perhaps. This possibly explains why, as we are aware, youngsters born after he passed on have drawn inspiration from his tapes to take to music as a way of life and a means of livelihood. They couldn't have been swayed by his striking personality.

G N Balasubramanian was the son of Shri G V Narayanaswamy Iyer, who was himself a keen student of music with an almost professional thoroughness. GNB, a musical prodigy, grew up under his father's guidance.

He could produce super fast gamakam laden sangathis with strength and weight and with great imagination. But,in such a voice of his, running at so fast a speed the effects of Brighas, twists and turns would come in quick succession that he became an instant hit with both the lay audience as well as those initiated to the arts and science of carnatic music!

His style of Raga elaboration, rendering of standard kritis in the classic traditions and apt swaraprasthana endeared him to the average music hall audience as well as to the knowledgeable musically trained critical audience of his time

Apart from being a great vocalist, GNB also composed sevaral krithis. Balasubramanian was famous for his fast brikhas and gamakams. He acted in films, including Bhama Vijayam and Sakunthala. In the latter, he appeared as Dushyantha, alongside the vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi.

Balasubramanian also composed kritis and invented new ragas. He taught a number of students during his active years. Most famous among them are M. L. Vasanthakumari, Radha Jayalakshmi, S. Kalyanaraman and Trichur V. Ramachandran.

GNB worked as principal of Sree Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram of the state of Kerala.

He died on 1st May 1965.

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