Muralidhar Shenoy

From the editor’s desk :-

Dear music lovers,

In my great determination of presenting you a melodious musical chord as an 'Easter Egg' this season, I found a super star! Mellifluous Carnatic classical singing is a gift for him, which flows in his blood. He is a very popular personality in Konkani theatre and music in Kochi and Mangaluru. This unique star whom I am referring to is none other than Konkani Singing Star with a Kochi Flavour Muralidhar G Shenoy.

I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to my buddy Florine Roche for making this sweet music chord possible.

Dear Do..Re..Me..Fa... lovers, I am sure you will enjoy listening to this great singing sensation! Once again I thank you for your great support. I shall see you next month, same site, same column! Untill then, bye!

Yours in Do..Re..Me..Fa..,
Gerry D’Mello, Bendur

 

Konkani Singing Star with Kochi Flavour - Muralidhar Shenoy

“The atmosphere at my home was quite encouraging as my parents were singing Bhajans and naturally I was drawn towards singing. It was my father who gave me the initial training in light music and mother’s customary practice of singing Bhajans instilled in me the love devotional singing. My parents wanted to make us respectable human beings and that had a pronounced impact in building my life and character. My parents encouraged me to take part in social service activities also.” Muralidhar G Shenoy


Kochi Flavour

Konkani speaking people spread in the four southern states of Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra have contributed in their own way for the growth and prosperity of Konkani language, literature and music. In Kerala most Konkani speaking people are settled in parts of Kochi and Travancore. Though they form a linguistic minority it has not prevented them from nurturing and preserving their language and culture in their own way. There are many accomplished artistes who have attained name and fame in Konkani theatre and music in Kochi. One of them is Muralidhar G Shenoy who is a well-known name in Carnatic classical and light music in general and in Konkani music in particular.

Murulidhar, who comes across as a shy but a self-assured persona, had started singing at a tender age of 8. Initially he was more inclined towards singing light music and Bhajans. His parents who saw his interest in music decided to give him formal training. So at the age of 13 he began to learn music professionally though not on his own interest. The first experience was not a pleasant one resulting in his discontinuing his training within three months. May be he was destined to learn music and nothing could sabotage what destiny had in store. After one year he felt the urge to learn music again and this time he hit it right with his music teacher and the process continues ever since.

Even now Muralidhar continues to learn from his gurus because he believes ‘learning is something that we have to do as long as we live’. Now he is learning under Vidhwan Gopalakrishna Iyer in Mangaluru. This clearly shows his humble nature and humility, a rarity in today’s world that thrives on instant fame. “In 1983 I watched the musical hit “Shankarabharana”, which had profound influence on me. It kindled in me an interest for music and I did not let that interest wane all these years”, says Muralidhar with a sense of gratification. Though GSB’s generally have shown proclivity towards Hindustani music Muralidhar chose Carnatic because in Kerala Carnatic music was popular. 

Muralidhar was born in Kochi as one of the three children of late Gnanadev Shenoy and Valsala Shenoy. He had his early in T D High School, Mattancherry Kochi and later graduated in B.Com from Cochin Arts College Ernakulam. His parents who noticed his keen interest in music nurtured his talent by sending him for learning Carnatic Classical music at the age of 13 under music maestro J Ranganath Bhagavathar of Kochi. In his 8 years of training under the great maestro Muralidhar developed a deep sense of reverence towards Carnatic music. After the demise of his guru he continued his learning under Vidwan Sri N P Ramaswami and it was Vidhwan Ramaswami who chiselled and fine-tuned his raw talent and helped him develop intense fervour for Carnatic classical music.

Initially, his journey in music began with light songs and Bhajans in Kannada and Malayalam languages. He began to win prizes at various competitions including 1st prize in district level music competitions held in Ernakulam and 1st prize in All Kerala light music competition for school children conducted by Y’s Men’s Club of Ernakulam. He continued his fine run composing music for plays and in 1988 bagged the best singer award in the All India Konkani Drama competition held in Bangaluru.


Association with Konkani Theatre

It was by fluke he got a chance to compose and sing music for a Konkani play when the producer had some differences with the music composer. The producer took the challenge head on and invited Muralidhar to his home and asked him to sing songs by composing music. That was the beginning of his entry into theatre as a music composer. Next he got an opportunity to sing and compose for a play “Geetha Chandrika” from Kerala Nataka Academy. As luck had it the play was a hit and that marked the arrival of Muralidhar Shenoy on the centre stage of Konkani singing.

Of course, the path to success, name and fame was quite a thorny one. He still remembers how a music composer of a Konkani play had snubbed him because he felt offended at the producer for not inviting the composer’s favourite singer. But Muralidhar says “that incidents had great impact on me and I accepted it with polite dignity. The music director who was furious with me within two minutes of his teaching taught his favourite singer for 90minutes and I picked up the finer nuances of singing there”, he recalls. As a result, Muralidhar continued to be a part of Konkani theatre in Kochi as music composer until his transfer to Mangaluru in 2000. Even now he composes music for plays from Mangalore and sends them to Kochi.

So far Muralidhar has composed about 60 songs and hymns in Konkani and other languages. He has composed music for over 20 albums in Konkani, Sanksrit and Kannada. He has brought out 10 CD’s of his songs both in Kannada and Konkani. He has composed music for musical feature “Kallyana Sougandhika” a ballet in Konkani written by K Anantha Bhat for Trivandrum DD which was done under the aegis of Konkani Prachar Sabha, Kochi. For Muralidhar composing music for plays is much more challenging than composing music for albums. “In plays the challenge is to provide music based on situations and tempo of the play and that is the challenge a music composer should be prepared to take to give the desired effect. Whereas in albums the composer has the freedom to compose music of his taste”, he asserts.


The Turning Point

The year 2000 was a turning point in his life in more than one ways. Muralidhar who works for Canara Robeco Mutual Funds (Canara Bank’s Mutual Fund) was transferred to Mangaluru and since then he has made Mangaluru his home. In the same year he passed audition test conducted by All India Radio Trissur in Carnatic Classical music. Since then he has been giving concerts in Trissur and Mangalur All India Radio stations as B grade artiste and recently has given audition for up-gradation. He has sung in the plays of Kasargod Chinna, sang Konkani shishu geet (songs for little ones) for Bengaluru DD. Along with his professional life music keeps him busy as he is being invited to sing at various places, functions and cultural programmes. I asked him whether it is difficult to adjust to the differences in language and culture of Mangalore. “There is difference in the dialect we speak in Kochi and what we speak or sing here. But by listening to songs and also by talking to people I could easily modify my singing as per the requirements here”, he declares.

Muralidhar’s work entails travelling and despite a demanding schedule he devotes at least an hour a day for practice. “I take lesson from my guru through skype and practice for at least an hour daily either in the morning or evening. My job involves lot of travel and I keep attuned to music even when I travel so that I am constantly in touch with music either by practice or by merely listening to it. Listening to music is equally important for a singer”. Music is also a great stress buster for Muralidhar who says “it is music that keeps me bubbling with energy though my job involves travelling and is hectic”.

Muralidhar’s next aim is to present Carnatic classic concert in Music Academy in Chennai and he is working tirelessly towards realising his goal. Chennai has rich tradition of music and presenting a concert there calls for practice and hold over the finer aspects of music.

Muralidhar is grateful to his wife Sandhya and son Sriniketh for their wholehearted support. With his disciplined approach and dedication Muralidhar is sure to fulfil his dream in the years to come and also serve the cause of Konkani.

 

 


Comment on this article

  • Vinaya kamath, Kannur,,......cochin

    Tue, Aug 10 2021

    Wonderful mesmerising voice ideal for both classical, bhajans and even playback singing .. 🌷🌷🌷

    Agree [2]

  • Rex Isaacs, Alleppey/ Chennai

    Sat, Jul 10 2021

    Although I was in the field of music in Kerala for many decades it is really surprising that I had the privilege to listen to Muralidhar only today when a friend of mine forwarded his version of Jab Deep Jale.It was really mesmerising .I went to the YouTube to learn more about him and was astounded by his contributions.Some of his old photos took me down memory lane,especially the one in which I found Terrence and Luben accompanying young Muralidhar on their violins.Happy to note that he is busy with light and Carnatic music concerts even amidst his professional schedules. I shared some of Muralidhar’s performances in YouTube with my musician friends in the film field and invariably all of them loved listening to his sonorous voice and impeccable rendering. He really deserves recognition at the national level.May be a concert at the Music Academy,Chennai would catapult him to a higher level.Wish him best of luck in all his endeavours.

    Agree [1]

  • Priya, Kochi

    Sat, Feb 09 2019

    It's a wonderful article, about a dedicated artist, and a wonderful human being

    Agree

  • Sushil Sharma, Bangalore

    Sat, Feb 09 2019

    I met Mr Shenoy professionally but was just drawn to him, his voice, his singing. He never ever let on that he has so many credits to his name; or that he is so renowned. So humble and simple! I'm honoured to actually know him!

    Agree

  • V J ANTONY, Bangalore

    Mon, Jul 06 2015

    Mr Muraleedhar Shenoy..I am really proud of you.Through the Daijiworld write up I have come to know more of you.I wish and pray you nurture your talent and grow in fame..God Bless You.

    Agree

  • Ashok Kumar S Kamath, Mattanchery,Cochin

    Thu, Apr 09 2015

    Murali....Nice Article..Pls upload this in Face Book as picture... so that more people can read this....May God Bless to your family... in your future Music & Professional Carrier
    ....

    Agree [3]

  • H.Madhusudhan Bhandarkar, Mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    I first had the honour and privilege of meeting Mr. Shenoy at my residence when he came alongwith a common friend. I have never met such a humble and talented artiste like Mr.Shenoy. His son studied Keyboard (western) for more than a year. Mr . Shenoy's dream of performing at Music Academy will surely be fulfilled considering his talent and dedication. All the best to him and may God bless him.

    Agree [4]

  • Vigneshwaran Nayak, Kodangalur/Mumbai

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Last year Mr.Muraliannu visited my house at Mumbai and I got an opportunity to have a one to one chat with him. He is a gem of person, lot of passion and knowledge, eager to spread his experience with people. Though i have not got an opportunity to hear his concert live, we all at home are eagerly awaiting for it. My regards to Murliannu, his Family and his Mentors.

    Agree [5]

  • Ivan C Monteiro, Urwa, Mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Congrats Mr Murlidhar for your brilliant achievement in music. Gerry it was a fantastic job done by you to locate the Musicians and speak if their achievements. Thanks Walter and the whole daiji team for encouraging the Manglorean talents. Thank you.

    Agree [6]

  • mangalore, jayaraj

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Murali sir is a great inspiration to youth. lucky are the once who have chance to listen to his music.

    Agree [5]

  • Pangal Devadas Nayak, Mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    A very nice, humble, down to earth person,with a melodious voice- Mr Muralidhar Shenoy.May you achieve Great Heights.

    Agree [5]

  • Arun Kumar.M.Kamath, Kochi

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Murali Annu is a very good artist, but more than that he is a very good person at heart. I have had the good fortune of seeing him perform, plenty of times and the feel and depth of the voice is unmatchable. All that is mentioned in the article are true to the very last word and I sincerely feel that it had to come long ago. Better late than never. All the best murali Annu....long way to go...

    Agree [6]

  • Ranganath,

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Very good article. Murali is a humble artist. I am also very eager to hear his concert. May God bless him.

    Agree [5]

  • Royston Prabhu, Mlore

    Tue, Apr 07 2015

    Glad to hear that you have such vast talent. My sincere respects.

    Agree [8]


Leave a Comment

Title: Muralidhar Shenoy



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.