G. N. Balasubramaniam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

G N Balasubramanian (1910-1965), popularly know as GNB, was a vocalist in the Carnatic tradition.

Balasubramanian's father, G. V. Narayanaswamy Iyer, was also a musician. He worked as principal of Swati Tirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram.

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.

He died at the age of 55.