The doyen of Carnatic music, Dr M Balamuralikrishna, has refused to accept the Sri Jayendra Saraswati national eminence award in fine arts.

The award is named after the Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati. The seer is in judicial custody since November 12 for his alleged role in a murder.

The 74-year-old singer performed at the Shanmukhananda Hall in central Mumbai.

"I have come here to give my recital for the music lovers of the city," he said.

It was his first performance in Mumbai in 12 years.

The South Indian Education Society later felicitated the singer with a shawl and a silver lamp.

SIES chief and a trustee of the Kanchi mutt, V Shankar, said, "Dr Krishna came to Mumbai on one condition that he will not receive the award, but definitely perform for the sabha members and city's music lovers."