Padma Bhushan T.N.Krishnan has been captivating audiences with his soul-stirring violin recitals ever since he was eight years old. Born in 1928 into an acclaimed family of musicians, he was introduced to music by his father A. Narayana Iyer. His enormous innate talent was recognised by the renowned musician Allepey Parthasarathy Iyengar, who affectionately guided T.N.Krishnan. Then he became an apprentice under Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, one of the greatest Carnatic vocalists of the twentieth century, under whom he shaped and developed his performance style. By the age of sixteen, he had become the star accompanist to many legendary musicians of those days.
T. N. Krishnan is a slave to melody and reposefulness of music. During his concerts, he follows the concept that music springs from silence, passes through silent interludes and melts into silence. As a maestro, he delves joyously into the various ragas giving them a beautiful light. Krishnan’s music represents the purest expression of the Carnatic tradition. His emphasis on melodic clarity, spectral fidelity, and a bold and emphatic bowing technique are unparalleled in his field. For the past sixty years, he has traveled the world, performing and promoting Indian Classical music. He has been closely associated with several national and international institutions engaged in the preservation and development of the arts. During his active and vibrant career lifespan, he has been a recipient of several awards and honors. Some of the most noteworthy of them are Padmashri and Padma Bhushan awards from the Government of India, National Award from the Sangeet Natak Academy, and the Sangeetha Kalanidhi from the Music Academy, Chennai etc.