Garimella Balakrishna Prasad (born 9 November 1948) is an Indian classical devotional singer, composer, Sangeet Natak Akademi for year 2020, T.T.D Asthana Vidwaan and Ahobhilamatam Asthana Vidwaan.[1][2] He served Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam's Annamacharya Project as Special Grade Vocal Artiste from 1978 to 2006.[3]
He is regarded as a pioneer in composing and rendering Annamacharya Sankeerthanas in various Indian musical genres like classical, semi-classical, light and folk styles. He composed tunes for the lyrics of nearly 1400 songs composed by various poets. Of these nearly 1000 of them were Annamacharya sankirtanas. To mention a few most popular sankeerthanas set to tune by Sri Prasad are Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnukatha, Jagadapu Chanavula, Vachenu Alamelumanga, Tiruveedhula Merasi, Choodaramma Satulaala, Jayalakhmi Varalakshmi, Aadimoolame maaku angaraksha, Mangambudhi Hamumantha, Antayu neeve, Yemani pogadudume, Annimantramulu and Pidikita Thalambrala.
Performing career
New raagas by Garimella Balakrishna Prasad in his own handwriting
He joined the Annamacharya Project after completing his diploma in Carnatic classical vocal music, in 1978 as a vocal artist. The project established to promote Annamacharya's music and literature, soon became the medium through which he was able to bring forth his musical prowess. From the inception till his retirement in 2006, he remained the principal exponent of Annamacharya Project.[4]
Personal life
He is married to G.Radha and has two sons – G.S.Pavana Kumar, married to Srividya and G.V.N.Anila Kumar, married to Swarna. He is the nephew of playback singer S. Janaki.[5]
MS Subbalakshmi releasing Sri Balakrishna Prasad's Anjaneya Kritimani maala
About Garimella Balakrishna Prasad's contribution to music
[6]
References
^A. D. Rangarajan. "Singing divinity". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
^"Spirituality and culture inseparable, says scholar". The Hindu. 30 October 2004. Archived from the original on 22 November 2004. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
^"Andhra music festival in city". Express India. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
^"Rendering Annamacharya kritis with devotional fervour". The Hindu. 20 July 2007. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
^J R Shridharan (4 September 2006). "Annamayya keerthanas are everything to him". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
^Amukthamalyada Sushama. "Garimella Balakrisha Prasad - a lyricist, composer and musician".
External links
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