Our Cultural Heritage:A glimpse into a musician’s journey

Meet renowned musician Mohana Krishna who performed on the last day of Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival. Mohana Krishna is a regular face at concerts. A disciple of Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, he has been performing at various places for the past 20 years. On the last day of Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival at Shilparamam, the musician has sung some famous songs of the saint in his pleasant voice .Mohana Krishna lost his eye sight at a very young age, yet never lost his hope. He became a strong person instead and used his melodious voice to his benefit.“I was not born blind. I was affected by conjunctivitis and gradually lost the vision. Soon I understood that sitting in one corner and crying will earn me nothing. As I was inspired by the legendary musician Balamuralikrishna, I’ve started learning music and bagged a job at All India Radio (AIR) as staff artiste,” he says.Mohana Krishna, who has been working in AIR since 1988, says that he is proud to be recognised as an artiste. The singer loves to sing Samaja Varagamana, Nanu Palimpa and Nagumomu from the various compositions of Tyagaraja whenever he gets a chance to perform.“Tyagaraja is the god of music. He has written songs as well as composed them and gave us a taste of traditional music. He has started the culture of Shishya parampara and all of us are his disciples,” says the Kalaratna.Mohana Krishna always loved to be in the company of his guru, and is unable to refill his absence. “I lived with him for almost eight years and accompanied him everywhere. I was his disciple from 1980 till the time he died, and I remain his disciple forever. Even the music industry had a huge loss after his demise and nobody can ever replace him,” says the renowned musician.Mohana Krishna has never planned about his career and just goes with the flow. He teaches music at his residence and has no plans (as of now) to start a music school. An inspiration to many, he is sure to make many more indelible marks in the world of music.