A MAGNIFICENT MAN - SHRI S R KRISHNAMURTHY

Shri. S. R. Krishnamurthy of Coimbatore is fondly known as Krishnamurthy mama.  Though he is in Coimbatore, few know the height of his greatness.

He became famous because of a role he did in Bala’s Naan Kadavul a Tamil film.  In the film he is a mouna sami.  He plays a significant role at the climax stage in the film.

But more than that, there is much to his life, many require to know.

He was born in a Brahmin family as the eighth child and therefore was named after Krishna.

But he did not have legs and hands as any one of us have.  Yet, it goes to the credit of his parents and family members that he has been nurtured and brought to what he is today.

He is an A Grade Artist in Carnatic Music in the AIR.  Till date he conducts classes in Carnatic music for children.  He has been awarded Kalaimamani award by the State Government of Tamil Nadu.

Some one asked him whether he did not get (Vangalaya) Padma Shri.  He said it has to be given, not got (Adhellam kodukkanum, vanga kudathu)

His nephew once told me this incident: 

Shri. Krishnamurthy had applied during Indira Gandhi’s time to go to an International event at Moscow.  The District Collector was asked to give a report.  The Collector had called Shri. Krishnamurthy for an interview and perhaps seeing his physical condition said that the will recommend him for a pension.  Shri. Krishnamurthy retorted, ‘I am not a beggar who has come here for money.  I am an artist’.

He himself said this:

He had gone to meet President Abdul Kalam, when he had come to his friend’s house in Coimbatore.  When Shri. Krishnamurthy was taken to the presence of the President, Shri. Kalam asked what he wanted.  Shri. Krishnamurthy said, I do not want anything, I came to give you some soothing moments by singing, if you will allow me to sing in your presence’.  Shri. Kalam said, every one comes to me only asking for something, but you are the first person to have come to give me. I read some where that President Kalam had said that Shri. Krishnamurthy was one of the two persons who had inspired him.

Later the President made Shri. Krishnamurthy sing at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

Shri. Krishnamurthy is nearing 75 years.  He does his daily chores like taking food, drinking coffee, brushing his teeth, using mobile etc on his own.  He goes from one place to another within the house by rolling over.  He can paint by holding the pencil or brush with his lips.  Singing, of course his very nature.

I had the good fortune to have him as the Chief Guest for the Arangetram of my daughter.  The entire event became memorable with his presence.

My friend Periasamy wanted me to have a person who could inspire children in a school at Tirupur.  I mentioned about Shri. Krishnamurthy and told him that his very presence will inspire the children.  It happened so.  Though he was asked to speak, he preferred to sing. And the song Kurai ondrum illai marai murthy kanna, coming from him moved every one.  Even he had tears when he finished singing.

I am providing a few links for further information on the great person:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EQQ8Q83ZMo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=qsZj5VgTS3U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=212&v=IWWfA5RPUuo

Last week I asked him how he was coping with the lock down since he cannot go out or children cannot come to him for learning music.  He said, he was spending time by painting.

If human capacity has to be tested to its limits, it is the way to defy the dictates of fate.  Shri. Krishnamurthy is a living example for that tenacity.