M. Balamuralikrishna

Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna is an Indian Carnatic vocalist, multiinstrumentalist, playback singer, composer and actor. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, Indias secondhighest civilian honour, for his contribution towards Indian Art. He was made Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005.

Balamurali 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 and Balamuralikrishna 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.

Source: Wikipedia