Balamuralikrishna to act in Tamil film

Chennai, March 13 (IANS) Veteran composer and south Indian classical vocalist M. Balamuralikrishna will appear on the Tamil screen after a 20-year hiatus in a venture titled 'Kadhai' (story), in which he plays himself.

The 79-year-old singer said he had been approached by television actor-turned-director Abhishek for the project. 'When Abhishek narrated the subject of 'Kadhai', I liked it immediately and agreed to appear on screen after such a long gap of over 20 years,' Balamuralikrishna told IANS.

'I had played the celestial minstrel Narada in the past in several films, where I sang my own songs. I have also composed music for a number of movies. In this one, I am not only singing the classical number 'Theeratha Vilayattu Pillai' (the eternal playboy), I am also playing myself, which is in a way unique to me,' he added.

According to publicists, the movie will mark composer Paul J's foray into Tamil films.

The musical will also showcase the talents of singers Malgudi Subha, Mukhtiyar Ali and others, a press statement added.

Born in Andhra Pradesh in 1930 as Mangalampalli Murali Krishna, Balamuralikrishna began singing at the tender age of five. His guru Suryanarayana Murthy Bhagavathar gave the prefix 'Bala' (child) to his name.

He plays several musical instruments including the violin, viola and the south Indian beat-percussion instrument called mridangam.