Well-known violin maestro and musicologist N. Ch. Krishnamacharyulu passed away in Vijayawada on Aug. 24.

Born in 1924 in Jaggayyapeta, Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, Nallan Chakravarthulu learnt his initial lessons from Chilakamarri Kesavacharyulu. He had his advanced training under Parupalli Ramakrishnaiah Pantulu Garu, well known classical musician of those times. Pantulu Garu also happens to be the guru of vetaran musician Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna.

N. Ch. Krishnamacharyulu decided to stay at Vijayawada, where the patronage was confined only to local borders. Krishnamacharyulu served as station artiste in All India Radio, Vijayawada from 1948 to 1983.

He was the recipient of several titles including the Ganakala Prapurna from Andhra Pradesh Sangeetha Academy. He was awarded "Visishta Vyakthi" puraskar by Akasavani on its Golden Jubilee. He received the Vaggeyakara Award from The Music Academy, Chennai in 2005.

He was well versed in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit. He was also well-known for his 'Harikathas'

Krishnamacharyuly had written many book sin Telugu and Sanskrit. His writings include Thyagaraja Charitam, Thyagaraja Ashtottaram, Sampradaya Vangmaya Sourabham and a book of his own kritis Krishnamacharya Sangeetha Kruthulu among others.

In sanskrit he wrote Ramayana kathaayaam vyapadesaah, a drama - Mrita Sanjeevanam, Sathagopa Charitam and Nouka Charitam

His disciples include well settled vidwans like T. K. V. Ramanujacharyulu of All India Radio, Trichy and up coming artistes like T. K. Saroja and T. K. Sujatha (Popularly known as T. K. Sisters of Vijayawada).