Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mangalampalli Bala Murali Krishna was born on 6th July,1930 in Andhra Pradesh. He lost his mother when he was an infant and so he was raised by his father Pattabhiramayya. Being a carnatic musician himself, his father taught him music initially. Later on Bala Murali came under the tutelage of Sri Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu.

A child prodigy Bala Murali Krishna sang in a a full length concert at the age of eight in the presence of many Vidwans at Vijayawada. His performing career which is a saga of success, continued uninterruptedly all over the world. His unimitable vocal skills, lucid expression of Bhavam and phenominal rhythmic patterns amazed stalwarts in music and the audience regaled with joy and awe. He mastered and composed Krutis in all the 72 Melakarta Ragas when he was 15 years old!. He composed over 400 Krutis, Varnams, Tillanas etc. in Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada languages. He created new Ragas Mahati, Lavangi, Sumukham etc. He also made innovations in Talas.

Even at the age of 83 he is singing well in concerts all over the world much to the delight of connoisseurs of classical music. He was confered innumerable awards and titles globally.
Mudra : Murali.