Balamurali Balu
Biography
Balamurali Balu is an accomplished Indian music director, composer, and music producer who works predominantly in the Tamil and Telugu film industries. Known for his eclectic musical style that blends Indian classical with Western genres, he has carved a distinct niche for himself, even having worked as an engineer before fully embracing his passion for music.
Early Life and Education
Born on July 16 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Balamurali Balu showed an early inclination towards music composition. Interestingly, before his full-time music career, he pursued a rigorous academic path. He completed a PhD in chemical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2009 and subsequently worked as a Process Engineer with Intel Technologies.
Despite a successful engineering career, his deep-seated passion for music eventually led him to pursue formal training. He honed his music production skills by completing electronic music production, orchestral scoring, and mixing and mastering techniques from the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
Career in Music and Film
Balamurali Balu's journey into the film industry began after composing for numerous independent films and jingles. His debut as a film composer in the Tamil industry came with Peechaankai (2017). His music for the film was well-received, particularly praised for "adding the quirkiness" that aligned with the movie's theme. For his work on Peechaankai, he was awarded the Best Music Producer Award in the Regional Film Category at the Indian Recording Artists Association Awards (IRAA Awards) in 2018.
He gained wider recognition for his collaborations with director Santhosh P. Jayakumar, notably composing music for the films Hara Hara Mahadevaki (2017) and Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuththu (2018). The title track "Hara Hara Mahadevaki" became a viral hit, significantly increasing his popularity.
Balamurali Balu has also composed music for:
Traffic Ramasamy (2018)
Ghajinikanth (2018)
Chikati Gadilo Chithakotudu (2019) (Telugu remake of Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuththu, marking his Telugu debut)
Thatrom Thookrom (2020)
Pallu Padama Paathuka (2023)
Amigo Garage (2024)
Chiclets (2024)
His musical collaborations have extended internationally, working with artists and musicians from various countries including Singapore, Australia, Germany, France, the UK, Canada, and the US. He is known for his ability to seamlessly fuse elements from Indian Classical to Western classical, Rock, Pop, Jazz, and EDM, resulting in distinct and unique tracks. His works have been critically appreciated and featured on the BBC. He maintains studios in both India and the US, frequently shuttling between the two.
Beyond films, he has also composed for web series like Kuthukku Pathu (2022) and is actively working on upcoming projects across different languages. Balamurali Balu's career is a testament to his dedication to music, his diverse influences, and his ability to establish himself as a versatile and celebrated composer in the Indian film industry.
