In the sphere of Carnatic music, the name Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan is instantly associated with melody, rhythm, masterly technique on the violin and overall musical excellence. Born in the lineage of an illustrious disciple of the great Saint and Composer Shri Thyagaraja, he was meticulously groomed to musical perfection by none other than Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman, the internationally acclaimed musical genius and violin maestro. Raised thus in an atmosphere redolent with music, Lalgudi Krishnan has imbibed the very essence of Carnatic classicism.

In Carnatic music, tradition accords a primary position to the role of the vocals. At a time when violin playing was still in its infancy, Padmashri Lalgudi Jayaraman revolutionised instrumental music in two major ways – first, by inventing a whole new technique that is designed to best suit the needs of Indian Classical Music, he elevated the quality of violin playing to perfection. Secondly, he established a unique and individualistic style that has come to be known as the Lalgudi Bani. This style comes closest to reproducing vocal music, and thus judiciously combines tradition with innovation. Lalgudi Krishnan absorbed this unique style, and is one of the leading exponents of instrumental Indian Classical Music today.

Lalgudi Krishnan began his early lessons on the violin at the age of five, under the tutelage of his grandfather and guru Shri Lalgudi Gopala Iyer, and later from Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman. The artiste in Krishnan first came into public view with his debut in 1973, at the young age of thirteen. He soon won widespread acclaim and a delighted fan following that has swelled over the years. He is an A-grade artiste with the All India Radio. He has also given several performances on Doordarshan, the national television network.

In addition to his violin duet and trio performances with Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Krishnan has also been featured in several Jugal Bandhi concerts with Hindustani musicians. Lalgudi Krishnan has performed many a time with North Indian instrumentalists in Jugalbandhi concerts (fusion with Hindustani musicians) both in India and also in the USA. They were appreciated highly by the music lovers for the sensitivity and novelty. Krishnan has the temperament and the openness to experiment with Western musicians as well. He has also performed in the role of an accompanying violinist with many leading vocalists and instrumentalists such as Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Shri. T.N. Seshagopalan, Shri. Maharajapuram Santhanam, Shri. T.V. Sankaranarayanan, Shri. D.K. Jayaraman, Shri. Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Dr. N. Ramani and Shri Voleti Venkateswaraulu.

Krishnan’s music represents the quintessence of the Lalgudi style and is a delight to the finer senses. His music is characterised by pristine purity, lucidity, superb clarity, melody, perfect rhythm and a deep emphasis on the sahitya. He has performed all over India and abroad, always receiving rave reviews. He has given concerts in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Italy, West Germany, the U.S.A., Canada the Middle East and Greece. He has also participated in the Festivals of India held in the U.K. (1983), the U.S.A. (1985) and the former Soviet Union (1988).

In addition to their individual musical performances, the brother-sister pair has performed innumerable violin duets all over India and abroad. They have endeared themselves to audiences the world over through their immaculate performances. In 1990, they toured the United States of America for a period of three months and gave about 22 concerts in major cities all over the US. This was a highly successful tour and served to firmly establish the Lalgudi Duo in the minds of Carnatic Music lovers in America. Another successful tour of the US came in 1993, when the trio of Shri. Lalgudi Jayaraman, Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi took audiences by storm.

In November ’94, the trio performed in Australia which was highly successful. In 1996, Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi performed in 33 cities in the USA and Canada, all of which were a roaring success. In 1998, Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan won unanimous acclaim from the audiences in the USA and Canada where he performed Violin solo concerts in 16 cities. In 1999, Krishnan toured the US & UK with his illustrious father & sister and the tour was a roaring success.

The rigorous training that he has had, combined with his won prodigious talent and aptitude, has made Krishnan the recipient of several awards, including the Jaycees award in 1981, the Best Violinist award in 1986 from the Music Academy in Madras; the Yuva kala Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar in 1987, the creatalent award in 1990, the prestigious ‘Isaipperoli’ from Kartik Fine Arts, Madras in 1992, the ‘Rajamanickam Pillai Memorial Award’ from Sriragam Fine Arts in 1997 and the Rotary Award for Vocational Excellence for 1997 from Rotary Club of Nanganallur. In August 1998, GJR Krishnan was conferred the coveted title ‘Sangeetha Choodamani" by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai. Recently in September 1998, Krishnan received the "Kalki Krishnamoorthy Memorial Award" at Chennai in the Kalki Krishnamoorthy Centenary Year from the ‘Kalki Krishnamoorthy Memorial Trust’.

The brother-sister pair has released several cassettes and CDs together in addition to their individual endeavours. Twin Bows of the Lalgudi Tradition, ‘Lalgudi Legacy continues’, ‘Majesty in Melodies’, ‘Vibgyor on Violin’ and recently a record ‘Rama Bakthi’ released by the HMV are worth special mention. In addition, Krishnan has excelled academically as well. He is a Post - graduate in Commerce (M.Com), a Cost and Works Accountant (I.C.W.A) and a Company Secretary (ACS). But out of his love for music, Krishnan has chosen to pursue Music as his profession.

What the press says:

"Krishnan played a heart-warming Bhairavi alapana that bore testament to the fact that he cherishes values and fosters with dedication the rich legacy that he has been privileged to inherit. The sprightly rendering of Patnam Subramania Iyer’s ‘Garudagamana’ in Nagarwaravali with an even sprightlier chittaswaram composed by Lalgudi Krishnan struck the right chord." – THE HINDU

"There was artistry and demonstrative brilliance in Krishnan’s portrayal of Sriranjani raga." – THE TIMES OF INDIA

"Third generation Violinist and legatee to the Lalgudi bani that lays stress on a richly modulated vocal style, G.J.R. Krishnan reiterated at the Krishnan Gana Sabha on Dec. 21, not only his musical inheritance but also an artistic, sensitivity that bespoke of grace and restraint." - THE INDIAN EXPRESS