Gudalur Narayanaswamy Balasubramaniam (6 January 1910 – 1 May 1965), popularly known as GNB, was an Indian Carnatic singer. He innovated the art through emphasis on laya control and reducing the gamakas which eventually made Carnatic music appeal to the lay and the learned alike.
Administrative role
GNB worked as the Deputy Chief Producer of Carnatic Music, in A.I.R Chennai for a number of years alongside Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer who was the Chief Producer for Carnatic Music, and Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna who was the Producer for Light Music. GNB joined the Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala as Principal in March 1964.
Personal life
He described the world of music as a perilous jungle and discouraged his sons and daughters from learning it.
His health deteriorated and worsened after a major stroke in the late 1950s. He died on 1 May 1965, aged 55.
Compositions (partial list)
{|class="wikitable"
! Composition !! Type !! Raga !! Tala !! Language !! Other Info
|-
| Amboruha Padame || Varnam || Ranjani || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Bharama Baluni || Krithi || Hamsanadam || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Parashakthi
|-
| Bhuvanatreya || Krithi || Mohanam || Adi || Sanskrit || In praise of Sasta
|-
| Enn Manathamarai || Krithi || Ritigoulam || Adi || Tamil || In praise of Shakti
|-
| Entho Muralida || Krithi || Kanada || Rupakam || Telugu || In praise of Shakti
|-
| Gathi Veravarama || Krithi || Bhairavi || Misrachapu || Telugu || In praise of Kamakshi
|-
| Intha Paraaku Neeve || Krithi || Bhairavi || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Bhairavi
|-
| Kamala Charane || Krithi || Amruthabehag || Adi || Sanskrit || In praise of Shakti
|-
| Karimukha Varada || Krithi || Naatai || Adi || Sanskrit || In praise of Ganesha
|-
| Karuna Jooda Radha || Krithi || Sahana || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Parashakthi
|-
| Kavalai Ellam || Krithi || Saraswati || Adi || Tamil || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Madhurapuri Kalyani || Krithi || Purvi Kalyani || Misrachapu || Sanskrit || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Manasaraga || Krithi || Abhogi || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Marivere Gathi || Krithi || Malavi || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Prashakthi
|-
| Maravakune Ninnu || Krithi || Arabhi || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Nakabhaya Vara || Krithi || Naataikurinji || Rupakam || Telugu || In praise of Parashakthi
|-
| Nee Charanambhujamunu || Krithi || Keeravani || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Nee Daya Raadaa || Varnam || Andolika || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Nee Padame Gati || Krithi || Nalinakanthi || Rupakam || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Nee Samanamevaru || Krithi || Shubhapanthuvarali || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Nirvadhi Sukhadayaki || Krithi || Malayamarutham || Rupakam || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Paritaapamu Ieka || Krithi || Shanmukhapriya || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Paraanmukhamela || Krithi || Kaanada || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Paramakrupasaagari || Krithi || Yadukulakambhoji || Rupakam || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Ranjani Niranjani || Krithi || Ranjani || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Sada Palaya Sarasakshi || Krithi || Mohanam || Adi || Sanskrit || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Santhathamu Ninne Korithini || Krithi || Valaj || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Saraswati Namostute || Krithi || Saraswati || Rupakam || Sanskrit || In praise of Saraswati
|-
| Shankara Mahadeva || Krithi || Devamanohari || Adi || Telugu || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Chakra Raja Nilaye || Krithi || Siva Sakthi || Adi || Sanskrit || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Shivananda kamavardhani|| Krithi || Kamavardani || Adi || Sanskrit || In praise of Shakthi
|-
| Vara Vallabha Ramana || Krithi || Hamsadhwani || Adi || Sanskrit || In praise of Ganesha
|}
See also
- List of Carnatic composers
References
- G.N.B. Global Centenary Celebrations