M. S. Gopalakrishnan

Life and career

M. S. Gopalakrishnan, known as MSG, was a Carnatic violinist. He was born in Mylapore, Chennai, and learned violin from his father, Parur Sundaram Iyer, who was skilled in both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music. Gopalakrishnan gave his first performance with his father at age eight and was deeply inspired by violinist Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu.

For over five decades, he performed as a soloist and accompanist, playing alongside Omkarnath Thakur and D. V. Paluskar, and toured countries including Australia, the US, the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. His daughter, Dr. M. Narmadha, is also a violinist, and his elder brother, M. S. Anantharaman, was a well-known violinist. The family’s distinctive playing style, called ‘Parur bani’, continues through the third generation—the children of Anantharaman and MSG.

Technique

Gopalakrishnan had researched playing technique, and developed particular fingering and bowing disciplines of the 'Parur style' to produce a clarity of sound and speed of delivery. His style includes one-finger playing and a thematic development on single-string octaves. Violinist Yehudi Menuhin said of Gopalakrishnan's playing: 'I have not heard such violin in all my travels! How superbly this young Indian is playing our instrument'.

When receiving the Sangeetha Kalanidhi award from the Music Academy of Madras, Gopalakrishnan said: 'My practice is the only secret of my success and then the other secret is my father. The practice that I was used to was nearly 15–16 hours a day and that was a very tough one where I used to jump suddenly from Carnatic to Hindustani styles while playing. Anything, any award I receive is just the fruit of my practice'.

Did You Know?

• Gopalakrishnan gave his first performance at age 8, playing alongside his father Parur Sundaram Iyer.
• He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by then President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on April 4, 2012.
• His elder brother M. S. Anantharaman (1924-2018) was also a well-known violinist.