Remembering Master Violinist M. S. Gopalakrishnan

By ⋅ January 3, 2013 ⋅ Post a comment
Violinist M S Gopalakrishnan died in Chennai on Thursday. (Photo: amazon.com)

Violinist M S Gopalakrishnan died in Chennai on Thursday. (Photo: amazon.com)

One of the greatest exponents of South Indian classical music died in Chennai early this morning.

M.S. Gopalakrishnan was a violinist whose intense study led him to develop new styles of playing the instrument in Indian classical music.

Arun Rath has an appreciation of the violinist who developed a unique style and sound, all the while remaining true to the classical tradition and avoiding fusion.


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Discussion

5 comments for “Remembering Master Violinist M. S. Gopalakrishnan”

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/RAR7NUZZBR2OHKMQFWRW36DTEU Wilhelm

    His sheer control over the instrument was amazing.  And — it must be noted that he was equally at ease in performing North Indian (Hindustani) classical music.  

    Here is a very early 78 RPM recording of MSG playing with his father Sundaram Iyer:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=823uFFoaLGc

    and a Hindustani tarana:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0U81Ypk1eE

    MSG’s older brother MS Anantharaman is also an excellent violinist and still performing at age 89.

  • Mani Varadarajan

    Thank you for honoring this great musician. He was a favorite of my father’s and after hearing MSG’s recordings as a child I fell in love with his music too. He was also a generous, kindly man. We visited him a few times in Chennai and he always welcomed us into his home. 

    Here’s an excellent example of how he took Hindustani ideas and applied them to Carnatic music:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va-FVPEV1ss

  • Balu Krishna

    He is oneof the great violinist. who was very good in supporting great artists .who can forget BMK concerts with MSG. It is sad indeed . music lost the great son KM

  • B S Sridharan

    He was one of the greatest  violinists I have  ever  listened to .
    I was  fortunate  to  listen  to  his live  concerts in  India  several
    times , when  I  was  young .He has  trained  several great  violinists
    including  his  daughter  Mrs. Narmada , who  is  also  great !
    May  His  Soul  rest  in  Peace !
    B.S.Sridharan

  • Tumkur Raghuram

    I appreciate ‘The World’ covering this news item.  When I was young, I watched him play live and it was a treat.  And over the years, as another person above has said, I have had a chance to listen to the concerts with BMK-MSG-TVG from the 60′s.  They are each special and the beauty that MSG brought to music through his violin playing is something to behold.  He will be missed terribly.  Thanks for all his contributions and may his soul rest in peace.