Big void in the world of music: PM Modi and others condole violin maestro TN Krishnan’s death

Chennai: Renowned violinist T N Krishnan has died. The 91-year-old breathed his last at his home in Chennai around 9pm on Monday. Many condoled the death of the musician including Prime Minister Modi.

PM Modi said the death of violinist has left a "big void" in the world of music.

"The demise of noted violinist Shri TN Krishnan leaves a big void in the world of music. His works beautifully encapsulated a wide range of emotions and strands of our culture. He was also an outstanding mentor to young musicians. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," he said in a tweet.

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said he was "distressed to learn about the passing away of legendary violinist." "His death is a big loss to the music world, particularly Carnatic music. He was known to capture the essence of ragas & had enthralled the audience for decades with soul-stirring music," he said.

Noted commentator Sumanth V Raman recalled Krishnan was among the three greats vis-a-vis violin. "RIP T N Krishnan one of the legendary violinists of our times. In the pantheon of Carnatic music violinists when we were growing up, there were 3 greats, Lalgudi Jayaraman, MS Gopalakrishnan and T N Krishnan. Now all 3 are gone. Om Shanti. #tnkrishnan," he tweeted.

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan described Krishnan as a rare musical gem.

"Very saddened to know that Violin maestro Prof T N Krishnan has passed away. He was one of those rare musical gems of India for whom music was a way of life. My deepest condolences to his family and prayers that his soul rests in peace. His music lives on timelessly!" he tweeted.

Amit Shah said as a gifted musician, Krishnan captured the imagination of several generations with his 'breathtaking' compositions.

Born Thrippunithura Narayanaiyer Krishnan at Thrippunithura in Ernakulam in 1928, T N Krishnan was able to etch his name alongside violin maestros such as Lalgudi Jayaraman and M S Gopalakrishnan.

T N Krishnan started training in music when he was just four years old. Even at a young age, he started playing violin at the concerts of legends Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and M D Ramanathan.

He settled down in Madras during the early 1940s on the directives of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. Since then, he started scripting success in the musical world.

T N Krishnan worked as a professor at the Music College in Madras. He later became its principal. He had also served as a professor and the dean of the faculty of music and fine arts at the Delhi University. He had also worked as the vice-chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi from 1991 to 93.

The violin maestro had received several awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1974). The nation honoured him with the Padma Shri (1973) and Padma Bhushan (1992).

He is survived by wife Kamala, and children Viji Krishnan and Sriram Krishnan. His children and sister N Rajam are also noted violinists.

The funeral would be held later.

Besides the enthralling rendition of various ragas, his performing 'jingle bells' with Mridangam and ghatam (percussion instruments) for company is fondly recalled by many 'rasikas' (fans).