Carnatic and Western fusion violin
Balabhaskar
Biography
Balabhaskar Chandran was introduced to instrumental music as a child by his uncle and guru B. Sasikumar. He began stage shows at a young age and quickly became known for a lively, audience-facing violin style.
He composed music for the Malayalam film Mangalya Pallakku as a teenager, becoming known as one of the youngest music directors in the Malayalam film industry. His albums and stage work helped popularise violin-led fusion among younger listeners.
Balabhaskar performed with Indian and international musicians, including percussionists and fusion artists, while remaining identified with Carnatic training. He died in 2018 after a road accident, leaving a strong public memory in Kerala's music culture.
Links & media
Highlights
- Child prodigy trained by B. Sasikumar
- One of Malayalam cinema's youngest music directors
- Popularised Carnatic and Western fusion violin in South India