Showing all artists born in 1930

Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna (6 July 1930 – 22 November 2016) was an Indian Carnatic vocalist, musician, multi-instrumentalist, playback singer, composer, and character actor.  He had garnered two National Film Awards (1976-1987), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1975, the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor in 1991, for his contribution towards arts, the Mahatma Gandhi Silver Medal from UNESCO in 1995, the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005, the Sangeetha Kalanidhi, and the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani to name a few.

Balamuralikrishna started his career at the age of six. During a career spanning 70+ years, he presented around 5,000 concerts worldwide. He accompanied Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, and gave jugalbandi concerts with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Kishori Amonkar, among others. He is also known for popularizing the compositions of Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu and Sri Annamacharya. Balamuralikrishna's concerts combine sophisticated vocal skills and rhythmic patterns of classical music with the popular demand for entertainment value. Balamurali Krishna has been invited to give concerts in many countries, including the US, Canada, UK, Italy, France, Russia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Middle East and many more.Apart from his native tongue, Telugu, along with Sanskrit where his works are mainly concentrated, he also contributed in other languages like Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi.

He appeared as featured soloist with an award-winning British choir, performing the "Gitanjali Suite" with words from Rabindranath Tagore's Nobel Prize-winning poetry and music by "Dr. Joel", the noted UK-based Goan composer. His clear diction in several languages prompted an invitation to record Tagore's entire Rabindra Sangeet compositions in Bengali, preserving them for posterity. He has sung in French, and even ventured into jazz fusion, collaborating with the top Carnatic percussion teacher, Sri T.H. Subash Chandran, in a concert for Malaysian royalty. In February 2010, he did a three-day concert in Visakhapatnam.

Early life

M. Balamuralikrishna during Rajarani Music Festival at Bhubaneswar on 19 January 2013Balamurali Krishna was born in Sankaraguptam, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh state.  His father was a well known musician and could play the flute, violin and the veena and his mother was an excellent veena player. His mother died when he was an infant of just two weeks and later he was raised by his father. Observing his penchant for music, his father put him under the tutelage of Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu, a direct descendant of the shishya parampara of Tyagaraja.

Under his guidance, the young Balamuralikrishna learned Carnatic music. At the age of eight, Balamuralikrishna gave his first full-fledged concert at a Thyagaraja Aradhana, Vijayawada. Musunuri Suryanarayana Murty Bhagavatar, a distinguished Harikatha performer, saw the musical talent in the child and gave the prefix 'Bala' (child) to the young Muralikrishna. This title has stuck ever since and Balamuralikrishna has been known so.

Balamuralikrishna thus began his musical career at a very young age. By the age of fifteen he had mastered all the 72 melakartha ragas and had composed krithis in the same. The Janaka Raga Manjari was published in 1952 and recorded as Raagaanga Ravali in a nine-volume series by the Sangeeta Recording Company.  Not merely content with his fame as a Carnatic vocalist, very soon started playing the kanjira, mridangam, viola and violin. He also accompanied various musicians in violin and is also noted to give solo viola concerts.

Innovations

Balamuralikrishna performs in 2005Characteristic of Balamuralikrishna's musical journey has been his non-conformism, spirit of experimentation and boundless creativity. Balamuralikrishna has innovated the whole Carnatic music system by keeping its rich tradition untouched. The ragas like Ganapathi, Sarvashri, Mahati, Lavangi etc. are credited to him. The ragas which he invented represent his quest for new frontiers. Ragas like Lavangi are set to three or four notes in ascending and descending scale.  Ragaas created by him, like Mahathi, Lavangi, Sidhdhi, Sumukham have only four notes; while Ragaas created by him, like Sarva Sri, Omkaari, Ganapathy have only three notes.

He also innovated the tala system. He has incorporated "gati bhEdam" in the "sashabda kriya" (actions in Talas, which can produce sound/shabda are called sashabda kriya) part of the existing Tala chain, thus throwing open a new chain of Tala system. Saint Arunagirinaadhar used to inject such systems in his famous Thirupugazh, but only as Sandham, while Balamuralikrishna is known to be the pioneer in bringing such Sandhams into a logical rhythm, with Angam and definition. Thri Mukhi, Panchamukhi, Saptha Mukhi and Nava Mukhi are the basic classifications, he has named for his New Tala System.  He gave his authorisation to S. Ram Bharati to found "Academy of Performing Arts and Research" in Switzerland and is also working on music therapy. He established the 'MBK Trust' with the objective of developing art and culture and for carrying out extensive research into music therapy. A dance and music school, 'Vipanchee' is a part of this Trust.

He has also collaborated with the renowned violinist Jyotsna Srikanth to perform an exclusive fusion concert to raise funds for charity.

Cinema

Balamuralikrishna during a concert in Kuwait on 29 March 2006, accompanied by Mavelikkara Sathees Chandran (violin), Perunna G. Harikumar (mridangom), Manjoor Unnikrishnan (ghatam)
Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna and Ravi Joshi, during a concert in San Francisco, California, April 2014Balamuralikrishna has composed over 400 compositions in various languages like Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada and Tamil. His compositions range from Devotional to Varnams, Krithis, Javalis and Thillans, in all the fundamental 72 melakartha ragas to film music. He made his acting debut with Bhakta Prahlada (1967) under AVM Productions as Narada, and has acted in various films including Kananda.

Death

Balamuralikrishna passed away on 22 November 2016 at his residence in Chennai. He was 86.

K. Balachander (born July 9, 1930) is an Indian film director, Cinema scriptwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or writer. In his career, he has introduced hundreds of actors and technicians in Tamil Cinema including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj and Vivek. He also owns a production house named Kavithalaya Productions. Besides Tamil cinema, he has directed films in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada languages and occasionally worked as an actor and in television as well.

Balachander has won numerous National Film Awards and 13 Filmfare Awards South. He was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award in 1987, and is also a recipient of the ANR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, Balachander was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in cinema for his contribution to arts. He also holds an Honorary doctorate. He is popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sikaram in Indian Cinema Industries.

K Balachander was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the mid of December 2014 following "fever" and some "age-related ailments" and passed away in the evening on 23rd December 2014. 

A. C. Tirulokachandar (11 June 1930 – 15 June 2016) was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked mainly in Tamil films from the 1960s to 1988. He also directed a few films in Hindi and Telugu. His 1969 Tamil film Deiva Magan was the first South Indian film to be submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

During the making of the film Manthiri Kumari in 1950, A.C.Trilogchander was working as a junior assistant on the sets and during the shooting of this film became a close friend of M.G.Ramachandran. Producer A.V. Meiyappan noticed his talent and gave A.C.Trilochander his break as the director in 1962 film Veerathirumagan. With the success of his debut film, he got one more film to direct under AVM banner which was bilingual made simultaneously as Main Bhi Ladki Hoon in Hindi and as Nannum Oru Penn in Tamil. The latter won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil at 11th National Film Awards and also won Filmfare Award for Best film.With this he became a permanent fixture as director with AVM films. 

He became like the fifth son of Mr. A.V.Meiyapan and became close friend of A.V.M.Saravanan. Trilogchander directed the fiftieth film produced by AVM banner - Anbe Vaa, a romantic comedy film, in 1966 with M.G.Ramachandran in the lead.He directed for the film produced by K. Balaji - Thangai in 1967. He was not only adept at directing social dramas like Babu (1971) with Sivaji Ganesan in the lead, Ramu (1966) with Gemini Ganesan as the hero but also romantic dramas such as Iru Malargal and Anbalippu as well as the romantic comedies Anbe Vaa and Anbe Aaruyire. He was given the task of directing the first bilingual suspense thriller film from AVM banner in 1967 which was Ave Kallu in Telugu and Adhey Kangal in Tamil.

He directed the pair Sivaji Ganeshan and Jayalalitha in 5 films - Deiva Magan, Dharmam Engey, Engirundho Vandhaal, Enga Mama, Avanthan Manidhan. He directed Rajesh Khanna in Babu in 1985 which became a hit. His other acclaimed Tamil films include Thirudan, Aval, Dheerga Sumangali, Vasandatil Oru Naal, Bhadrakali, Anbe Aaruyire and Bharata Vilas. He was known to co-ordinate the colour schemes of the actors' outfits with the sets designed for the film.

Tirulokachandar died on 15 June 2016 at the age of 86 due to age-related issues. His youngest son, Prem Tirilok, succumbed to cancer a few days before his death.Tirulokachandar is survived by his elder son Raj T and daughter Mallikeswari.

Makkal Kavignar Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram (April 13, 1930 - October 8, 1959) is a well-known poet, lyricist. He is the most popular lyricist in 1950's before Kannadasan fame . He had penned some wonderful philosophy-tinged, upbeat lyrics to MGR’s successful movies.

He was born on April 13, 1930. His father Arunachalam Pillai was also a Tamil scholar and poet. PKS was born to an ordinary farming family at Senkapaduthan Kadu village in Pattukottai town of Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. His parents were Arunasalam Pillai (a folk poet) and Visalachi Amma. He was the second son to this couple. Eldest was Kanapathisundaram. Another sibling was a sister Vethambal. PKS never went to school, but had an in-born talent for poetry. He married Kavravambal in 1957, and had a baby son Kumaravel was born in 1959.

He has worked at Kuyil, A magazine run by Barathidasan . Tamil movie world invited PKS casually, and he received the first offer to write two lyrics for the movie Paditha Penn [Educated Women], that was released on April 20, 1956. However, it lacked star value, with one M. N. Kannappa as the hero, and a nondescript Arun as music director. Nevertheless, PKS’s star was destined to rise, as Lady Luck showered her blessings and Tamil movie fans noticed him, when five of his lyrics that adorned the movie Maheswari (a Modern Theatres production with Gemini Ganesan as the hero), was released ahead on November 13, 1955. The music director for this movie was G. Ramanathan, a versatile hand in the field. C. V. Sridhar, who became well known as a trendy director later, wrote the script and dialogue.

Kalyanasundaram-Sridhar combination hit the jackpot subsequently in the successful movie Kalyana Parisu [1959, Venus Pictures; again starring Gemini Ganesan]. As detailed above by director Sridhar’s reminiscences, PKS wrote 8 lyrics for this triangular love plot, and all of them became great hits. This movie had the optimal mix of tear-jerking scenes, tasteful songs and a parallel comedy track of husband-wife team K. A. Thangavelu - M. Saroja pair.PKS’s versatile career received tremendous boost, as he wrote memorable lyrics for the two leading Tamil stars of that period – MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. Here is a list of movies, which feature PKS lyrics of these two stars.

MGR: 7 movies; Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957), Mahadhevi (1957), Nadodi Mannan (1958), Arasilangkumari (1961), Thirudadhe (1961), Vikramaadhithan (1962) and Kalai Arasi (1963).

Sivaji Ganesan: 11 movies; Rangoon Radha (1956), Ambikapathi (1957), Pudhaiyal (1957), Makkalai Petra Magarasi (1957), Uthama Puthiran (1958), Padhi Bhakti (1958), Aval Yar ? (1959), Bhaaga Pirivinai (1959), Thanga Padhumai (1959), Irumbu Thirai (1960), Punar Jenmam (1961).

Within the years 1954–1959 he became active in the film industry of southern India. After suffering major migraines, Pattukkottaiyaar underwent surgery to his nose in September 1959. A few days after surgery, he died of cereberal haemorrhage on October 8, 1959.

The first compilation of Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram's songs appeared in 1965 in print form. Comparative studies and criticism have also been published in the form of books by several authors, like Paa. Udayakumar, Ki. Sembiyan, Solomon Pappaiah, Irakuladasan, M. P. Manivel, Pandian, Paa. Veeramani and others.

Tamil Nadu Murpokku Ezhuthalar Sangam, Pattukkottai, brought out souvenirs on Pattukkottaiyaar's 50th, 56th and 60th birthdays. A bronze statue was unveiled at a busy junction in Pattukkottai town and a special souvenir was released on the statue unveiling ceremony in 1995.

Government Of India brought out a souvenir on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of India's Independence recognising Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathi,Pavendhar Bharathidasan and Makkal Kavignar Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram as the three foremost poets of the 20th century in Tamil.In 1981, the then Chief Minister of the state, M. G. Ramachandran conferred posthumously the prestigious Bharathidasan Award to Pattukkottaiyaar.

Later in 1993,the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram declared nationalization of Pattukkottaiyaar's literary works.  In 2000,a memorial structure, Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram Manimandapam, has been erected in Pattukkottai and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi.

He married Gowravammal from Athikkottai (a village adjacent to Pattukkottai) at the age of 27. His mentor Bharathidasan presided over the nuptials on September 11, 1957 at Madras.  In 1959, this couple gave birth to their only child, whom they named Kumaravelu who is now a state government employee,married and settled in Chennai along with his wife Kavitha,daughter Akalya and son Selvasundaram.

Mannava Balaiah (or Balayya) is an actor, writer, director and producer in Telugu cinema.He acted in 300 films.

He was born at Chavupadu, Amaravathi mandalam, Guntur district to Mannava Guravaiah Chowdary and Annapurnamma. He studied Engineering B.E. (mechanical) in Guindy Engineering College, Chennai Inspired by the drama during his college days, Balaiah ventured into movies with guidance from Tapi Chanakya.

He made his debut as an actor with Ethuku Pai Ethu - a social film directed by Tapi Chanakya and made by Sarathi Studios. Films such as Parvati Kalyanam, Bhagyadevata, Kumkuma Rekha established him as an actor. ANR played Narada role in Parvati Kalyanam. There was yet another film they acted together, after a while, Chenchu Lakshmi film with ANR and Anjali in lead roles and directed by B.A.Subba Rao for his own banner, Parvati Kalyanam with Balaiah and Krishna Kumari were interesting mythological films. He acted in nearly three hundred films and established Amrutha films in 1970.

A play penned by him Nalupu Telupu (Black-white) later made into Chelleli Kapuram and received Gold Nandi award from Andhra Pradesh Government. Even films like Neramu Siksha, Annadammula Katha were penned by him. Well known for his histrionics, Balaiah became a name to reckon with character oriented roles.he was awarded with Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for the year 2012.

Kasinathuni Viswanath is an Indian film, sound designer turned director and actor known for his works in Telugu Cinema. He is the recipient of five National Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, ten Filmfare Awards South, and a Bollywood Filmfare Award. Viswanath's Hindi films include Sargam, Kaamchor, Sanjog, Jaag Utha Insan, Eeshwar, Sur Sangam, Shubh Kaamna, Sangeet and Dhanwaan.


Viswanath's classical films Sankarabharanam (1979) and Sagara Sangamam (1983) were included among CNN-IBN's list of hundred greatest Indian films of all time.His directorial works Sankarabharanam and Saptapadi, have garnered the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Feature Film on National Integration, respectively.


Sankarabharanam, has won the Prize of the Public at the Besancon Film Festival of France in the year 1981.Viswanath's Swati Mutyam was India's official entry to the 59th Academy Awards. Swayam Krushi was screened to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival.[5 Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Shrutilayalu, Swarnakamalam and Swati Kiranam were premiered in the Indian Panorama section at International Film Festival of India, and AISFM Film Festival.


Viswanath was born on 19 Feb 1930 to Sri Kasinadhuni Subrahmanyam and Smt Kasinadhuni Saraswatamma in a Telugu speaking family. His ancestral roots come from Pedapulivarru, a small village on the banks of River Krishna.


Viswanath is married to Jaya Lakshmi and has three children: Padmavati, Nagendranath and Ravindranath. He speaks fluent Telugu, Tamil, and English. He has four grand children- Naren, Pranav, Swarna and Hema. None of his children have ventured into the film industry but have chosen other careers.
Early life and career


Viswanath began his career as a technician in a studio at Chennai and later assisted Adurthi Subba Rao in direction. He also worked as an assistant to director Ramnoth. He wished to work as an assistant to K. Balachander and Bapu. He debuted as a director with Aatma Gowravam, which starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao and won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film of the year. These were followed by Chelleli Kapuram, Sarada, O Seeta Katha and Jeevana Jyoti which are powerful films centered around women.


It was in Siri Siri Muvva that the famed artistic touch of K. Viswanath first became visible to the people. This was followed by a series of films based on the themes of art, music and dance. Some of his later films discussed issues of social concern while others presented simple morals and facts of life to the common man in a palatable form.


His one of the career best (hard to pick as he is a perfectionist) 'Sankarabharanam shows the negligence of traditional Indian music with influence of western music, bringing out the best of efficacy in the traditional music towards the end. The film had until then a less-known actor J.V. Somayajulu in the lead, but it broke many commercial records by running for over one year in cinemas.
Films with social issues


Viswanath has made many films dealing with a wide range of human and social issues: Saptapadi, Sirivennela, Sutradharulu', Subhalekha, Shrutilayalu, Subhasankalpam, Aapadbandhavudu, Swayam krushi, and Swarnakamalam have lead characters representing different strata of society, meticulously etched to suit the larger picture.


In Saptapadi, he decries the evils of untouchability and the caste system. In Subhodayam and Swayam Krushi he emphasizes the dignity and respectability of manual labor. In Subhalekha, he deals, in a humorous way, with the dowry system — one of the major evils in today's society. While Sutradharulu urges present-day society to recognize the need to adopt the ideals of non-violence, Swati Kiranam depicts the harm that can be caused by the basic instincts of envy and anger in a man, however accomplished he may be.


In spite of the nature of these subjects, they are presented in a subtle manner with an imaginative story line, with just the right amount of emphasis on the intended message. Yet Viswanath's films were never offbeat cinema but wholesome entertainers those elevated the lead actors' image. He is a director with social-conscious mind and who believes cinema can bring out desirable changes in society if presented in a format liked by a cross section of audience.


Poornodaya Creations contributed to K. Viswanath's dreams of making meaningful films. Sri. E NageswaraRao firmly stood behind and encouraged K. Viswanath to make films with Telugu nativity that have real characters with whom audiences can associate with.


Poornodaya produced some of not just the commercial hits but milestone films of Viswanath's directional ventures thereby richly contributing to Tollywood like Sankarabharanam, Swatimutyam, Saagarasangamam, Sutradharulu, Aapadbandhavudu. So we fondly remember Telugu films not just for formula ones with typical stereotype song-dance-fight.


In 1995, Viswanath ventured into mainstream acting. His first film as an actor was Subha Sankalpam. Later on he did many movies such as Swarabhishekam which he himself directed and acted and other movies like Pandurangadu, Narasimha Naidu, Lakshmi Narasimha, Seemasimham, Santosham, Tagore, Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule and Tamil films like Kuruthipunal, Kakkai Chiraginile, Mugavari, Bhagavathy, Pudiya Geethai, Yaradi Nee Mohini, and Rajapattai. He is playing a role in Siva Narayna Teertha in TTD's Sri Venkateswara Bhakthi Channel (SVBC). He also plays in serials like Chellamey which is the owner of an orphanage.
Other work


Viswanath has given advertisements to GRT Jewellers.

Meesai Murugesan was a veteran actor and musician who appeared in Tamil-language films. He starred in more than 100 films and has done supporting roles in various films.

He started his career by playing the 'Kottankuchi' (coconut shell), alongside great musicians like K. P. Sundarambal, M. K. T. Bhagavathar, T. M. Soundararajan and Seerkazhi Govindarajan. He was popular for creating shrill sound effects in Nenjam Marappathillai and footfall of the horse in "Rajavin Paarvai Raniyin Pakkam" song in MGR-Saroja Devi's Anbe Vaa.  He has played instruments for music directors like M. S. Viswanathan, Ilayaraja and Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.

He was a carnatic artist and had learned to play over 25 instruments. He also ran a one-man band "Apoorva Thalavaithiyangal" and held several concerts across the world including Europe, Canada, the United States and Russia.

Film career

His career spans over 100 films and he is famous for his roles in Vijay's Poove Unakkaga, Kamal Hassan's Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, Sathyaraj's Amaidhi Padai, Pandiarajan's Aan Paavam and much more. He earned the name "Meesai Murugesan" after sported a thick moustache in his first film Sugamana Raagangal.

Awards

He was conferred Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu State government for his contribution to the cinema.