Annamacharya
Encyclopedia
Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya (or Annamayya) (May 9, 1408 – February 23, 1503) was the official songmaster of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
, and a Telugu
composer who composed around 36000 keertana songs, many of which were in praise of Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the temple. The musical form
of the keertana songs that he composed have strongly influenced the structure of Carnatic music
compositions, which are still popular among Carnatic music concert artists. Sri Annamacharya is remembered for his saintly life, and is honoured as a great Bhakta/devotee of Bhagwaan Govinda by devotees and saintly singers.
He is widely regarded as the Pada-kavita Pitaamaha (grand old man of song-writing) of the Telugu language.
, a village in current day Kadapa
district of Andhra Pradesh
, India
. His wife, Thimmakka
, had written Subhadra Kalyanam, and is considered the first female poet in Telugu literature
. Their son, Pedda Tirumalacharya, and grandson, Tallapaka Chinnayya, were also composers and poets. The Tallapaka compositions are considered to have dominated and influenced the structure of Carnatic music
compositions. Annamacharya lived for 94 years until Phalguna Bahula Dwadasi (12th day after full moon) in the year Dhundhubhi (February 23, 1503).
Annamacharya considered his compositions as floral offerings to Bhagwaan Govinda. In the poems, he praises Venkateswara, describes his love for him, argues and quarrels with the Lord, confesses the devotee's failures and apprehensions, and surrenders himself to Venkateshwara. His songs are classified into the Adhyaatma (spiritual) and Sringaara (romantic) sankeertanas genres. His songs in the "Sringaara" genre worship Bhagwaan Venkateswara by describing his amorous and romantic adventures of Venkateswara and Alamel Manga, while others describe the Bhakti of his devotees.
In his later keertanas, he espouses subjects such as morality
, dharma
and righteousness
. He was one of the first few who opposed the social stigma towards the untouchable castes in his era, with his sankeertanas explaining that the relationship between God and human is the same irrespective of the latters' color, caste and financial status, in beautiful yet powerful usage of words in his songs "Brahmam Okkate Parabrahmam Okkate..." and "E Kulajudainanemi Evvadainanemi..."
His choice of words gives a mellifluous tone to his songs, charming the listener. His prodigious literary career earned him a place among the all-time greats of Telugu literature
.
According to legend, Annamacharya met up with Purandara Dasa
and both of them composed music and lyrics. They met when Annamacharya had invited Purandara Dasa to join him in singing praise.
While enjoying popularity in his own days, his compositions were forgotten for over three centuries for some inexplicable reason. They were later found engraved on copper plates, hidden for centuries inside the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, just opposite the Hundi, concealed in a very small room.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
, also known as TTD, has been endeavouring to preserve the rich heritage of his compositions. In the year 1950, The State Government of Andra Pradesh created a committee and appointed Dr M Balamuralikrishna as its head. He set music to over 800 compositions of Sri Annamyya and are still popular among the devotees. He has been the Asthana Gayaka of the Tirumala temple at Tirupati since two decades. He is regarded as a legend in rendering devotional music in classical style, especially the Annamacharya sankirtanas. He is also an acclaimed poet, singer, and a musicologist.
record on May 10, 2009.
in the lead role as poet Annamacharya. The film was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
, and featured Annamayya keertanas as songs in the movie. The movie was a major box office hit and won many awards including Best Actor
and Best Film from the A. P State Government
.
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple ), is a Hindu temple in the hill town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is around from Chennai, from Hyderabad, and from Bangalore....
, and a Telugu
Telugu people
The Telugu people or Telugu Prajalu are an ethnic group of India. They are the native speakers of the Telugu language, the most commonly spoken language in India after Hindi and Bengali...
composer who composed around 36000 keertana songs, many of which were in praise of Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the temple. The musical form
Musical form
The term musical form refers to the overall structure or plan of a piece of music, and it describes the layout of a composition as divided into sections...
of the keertana songs that he composed have strongly influenced the structure of Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
compositions, which are still popular among Carnatic music concert artists. Sri Annamacharya is remembered for his saintly life, and is honoured as a great Bhakta/devotee of Bhagwaan Govinda by devotees and saintly singers.
He is widely regarded as the Pada-kavita Pitaamaha (grand old man of song-writing) of the Telugu language.
Personal life
Annamacharya was born on Vaisakha Suddha Pournami in the year Sarwadhari (May 9, 1408) in TallapakaTallapaka
* Tallapaka village, Rajampet mandal, Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh, India.----Tallapaka is one of the Indian surnames.* Tallapaka Annamacharya, was the first Carnatic music composer.* Tallapaka Tirumalamma, was the first Telugu poetess....
, a village in current day Kadapa
Kadapa
Kadapa , formerly Cuddapah, is a city in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, India . The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate...
district of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. His wife, Thimmakka
Timmakka
Tallapaka Tirumalamma or Thimmakka was a famous Telugu poet who wrote Subhadra Kalyanam in Telugu. She was wife of famous singer-poet Annamacharya and was popularly known as Timmakka.-Early life:...
, had written Subhadra Kalyanam, and is considered the first female poet in Telugu literature
Telugu literature
The Telugu literature or Telugu Sahityam is one of the most precious possessions of the literary products of India. Telugu literature is rich reserve of poems, stories, dramas and puranas. It flowered in the early 16th century under the Vijayanagar empire, of which Telugu was one of the court...
. Their son, Pedda Tirumalacharya, and grandson, Tallapaka Chinnayya, were also composers and poets. The Tallapaka compositions are considered to have dominated and influenced the structure of Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
compositions. Annamacharya lived for 94 years until Phalguna Bahula Dwadasi (12th day after full moon) in the year Dhundhubhi (February 23, 1503).
Literary career
Annamacharya is said to have composed as many as 36,000 sankeertanas (songs) on Bhagwaan Govinda Venkateswara, of which only about 12,000 are available today.Annamacharya considered his compositions as floral offerings to Bhagwaan Govinda. In the poems, he praises Venkateswara, describes his love for him, argues and quarrels with the Lord, confesses the devotee's failures and apprehensions, and surrenders himself to Venkateshwara. His songs are classified into the Adhyaatma (spiritual) and Sringaara (romantic) sankeertanas genres. His songs in the "Sringaara" genre worship Bhagwaan Venkateswara by describing his amorous and romantic adventures of Venkateswara and Alamel Manga, while others describe the Bhakti of his devotees.
In his later keertanas, he espouses subjects such as morality
Morality
Morality is the differentiation among intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good and bad . A moral code is a system of morality and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code...
, dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
and righteousness
Righteousness
Righteousness is an important theological concept in Zoroastrianism, Hinduism , Judaism, Christianity and Islam...
. He was one of the first few who opposed the social stigma towards the untouchable castes in his era, with his sankeertanas explaining that the relationship between God and human is the same irrespective of the latters' color, caste and financial status, in beautiful yet powerful usage of words in his songs "Brahmam Okkate Parabrahmam Okkate..." and "E Kulajudainanemi Evvadainanemi..."
His choice of words gives a mellifluous tone to his songs, charming the listener. His prodigious literary career earned him a place among the all-time greats of Telugu literature
Telugu literature
The Telugu literature or Telugu Sahityam is one of the most precious possessions of the literary products of India. Telugu literature is rich reserve of poems, stories, dramas and puranas. It flowered in the early 16th century under the Vijayanagar empire, of which Telugu was one of the court...
.
According to legend, Annamacharya met up with Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dāsa is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music and is widely regarded as the "father of Carnatic Music". Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his compositions, a practice emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanaka Dasa...
and both of them composed music and lyrics. They met when Annamacharya had invited Purandara Dasa to join him in singing praise.
While enjoying popularity in his own days, his compositions were forgotten for over three centuries for some inexplicable reason. They were later found engraved on copper plates, hidden for centuries inside the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, just opposite the Hundi, concealed in a very small room.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams also referred as TTD is an independent trust which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh...
, also known as TTD, has been endeavouring to preserve the rich heritage of his compositions. In the year 1950, The State Government of Andra Pradesh created a committee and appointed Dr M Balamuralikrishna as its head. He set music to over 800 compositions of Sri Annamyya and are still popular among the devotees. He has been the Asthana Gayaka of the Tirumala temple at Tirupati since two decades. He is regarded as a legend in rendering devotional music in classical style, especially the Annamacharya sankirtanas. He is also an acclaimed poet, singer, and a musicologist.
World record
In the programme, LakshaGala Sankirthanarchana, some 160,000 people sang seven Annamayya keertanas called Sapthagiri Sankeerthanalu in Hyderabad, creating a new GuinnessGuinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...
record on May 10, 2009.
Famous Compositions
This is a partial list of some of the more famous Annamacharya compositions.| Composition | Raga Raga A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made... | Tala Tala Tala may refer to:* Samoan tālā, the monetary unit of Samoa* Tala , a DC Comics supervillainess of the Phantom Stranger* Tala , the goddess of stars in Tagalog mythology* Tala , a rhythmic pattern in Indian classical music... |
Music Set By !! Language !! Other Info !! Audio Links | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adivO alladivO shrIharivAsamu | Madhyamavati | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
||||
| alara Cancalamaina AtmalandunDeDi | rAga mAlika | khanDa cApu | Garimella Balakrishna Prasad Garimella Balakrishna Prasad Garimella Balakrishna Prasad is an Indian classical devotional singer and composer. He has been the Asthana Gayaka of the Tirumala temple at Tirupati from 1978 to 2006.... |
Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
||
| alarulu kuriayaga AdenadE | Dheerasankarabharanam Dheerasankarabharanam Dheerashankarābharanam , commonly known as Shankarābharanam, is a rāga in Carnatic music . It is the 29th Melakarta rāga in the 72 melakarta rāga system of Carnatic music.... |
Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
||||
| anni mantramulu indE Avahincenu | Amritavarshini Amritavarshini Amritavarshini is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is an audava rāgam . It is a janya rāgam , as it does not have all the seven swaras .It is a common pentatonic scale of Carnatic music and is believed to produce rain... |
Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
||||
| antharyAmI alasiti solasiti | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
|||||
| bhAvayAmi gOpAlabAlam manasEvitam | yamunA kaLyANi | Sanskrit Sanskrit Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand... |
||||
| Bhavamu lona | Suddha Dhanyasi | Khanda Chapu | Nedunuri Krishnamurthy Nedunuri Krishnamurthy Dr. Nedunuri Krishnamurthy is a famous Indian Carnatic vocalist. His tonal quality and "Continuity" are his special assets.-Early life:... |
Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
MS Subbulakshmi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4tKfvd7Ajs |
|
| brahma kadigina pAdamu | mukhAri | Adi | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
MS Subbulakshmi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OecdlWBiews |
||
| Chakkani Talliki Changu Bhala | ||||||
| calada Harinama Soukhyamruthamu | ||||||
| CEri Yashodaku Shishuvithadu | ||||||
| Candamama ravo jabilli ravo | ||||||
| Devadevam Bhaje Divya Prabhavam | ||||||
| Dolayam Chala Dolayam | ||||||
| Emoko Chigurutadharamuna Kasturi Nindenu | ||||||
| E Puraanamuna Entha Vedakina (ఏ పురాణమున ఎంత వెదకినా) | ||||||
| Govinda Shrita Gokula Brinda | ||||||
| Harinamamu Kadu Anandakaramu | ||||||
| Indariki Abhayammulichu Cheyi | ||||||
| Inni Rasula Uniki Inthi Cheluvapu Rashi | ||||||
| Ippuditu Kalaganti | ||||||
| Itharulaku Ninneruga Tarama | ||||||
| Jo achyuthananda Jo Jo Mukunda | ||||||
| Kanti Sukramvaramu Ghadiya ledinta | ||||||
| Kondalalo Nelakonna Koneti Rayadu Vadu | ||||||
| Ksheerabdhi kanyakaku Sree Mahalakshmikini | ||||||
| Kulukaka Nadavaro Kommalara | ||||||
| Maedini Jeevula Gaava MaelukOvayyaa | ||||||
| Muddugare Yashoda Mungita Muthayamu veedu | ||||||
| Moosina Muthayala Kele Meragulu | ||||||
| Nallani Meni Nagavu Choopulavadu | ||||||
| Nanati Batuku Natakamu | ||||||
| Narayana Te Namo Namo | ||||||
| Neyyamulalo Nerello Voyyana Ooredi Uvvillo | ||||||
| Nithyapujalivigo Nerichinanoho | ||||||
| Paluku Tenela Talli Pavalinchenu | ||||||
| Podagantimayya mimmu Purushotthama | ||||||
| Sriman Narayana Sriman Narayana Nee Sri Padame Sharanu | Bowli | Adi Adi Adi may refer to:Peoples and places:*Banu Adi, a clan of the Quraish tribe of Mecca*Adi people, a tribe living in Arunachal Pradesh, India**Adi language, the Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Adi... |
Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
Sudha Raghunathan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTbQOmIYIY4 |
||
| Rajeeva Nethraya Raghavaya Namo | ||||||
| Ramachandrudithadu Raghuveerudu | ||||||
| Sirutha Navvulavadu Sinnekka | ||||||
| Shodasha Kalanidhiki Shodashopachaaramulu | ||||||
| tandana na ahi | Bowli | Adi Adi Adi may refer to:Peoples and places:*Banu Adi, a clan of the Quraish tribe of Mecca*Adi people, a tribe living in Arunachal Pradesh, India**Adi language, the Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Adi... |
Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
Tatwa prabodha keertana | Sudha Raghunathan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAbvlFw8mJo |
|
| Tvameva Sharanam | ||||||
| Vandeham Jagad Vallabham | Hamsa Dhwani | Khanda Chapu | Sanskrit Sanskrit Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand... |
In praise of lord Venkateswasra | Maharajapuram Ramachandran - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft6tCBixSo4 |
|
| Vande Vasudevam Sripathim | ||||||
| Vedukondama Venkateshwaruni Vedukondama | ||||||
| Vinnapalu Vinavale Vintha Vinthalu | ||||||
Movie
A film on the poet, Annamayya, was released in 1997, and starred Akkineni NagarjunaAkkineni Nagarjuna
Akkineni Nagarjuna is an Indian film actor in Tollywood and Bollywood. He is a producer and one of the lead actors in Telugu cinema.- Early life :...
in the lead role as poet Annamacharya. The film was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
K. Raghavendra Rao
Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao shortly K. Raghavendra is a renowned director. He is one of the most commercially successful directors of Telugu cinema, and many believe that his contribution has been instrumental to the success of Telugu cinema. As of 2006, Raghavendra Rao has directed 103 films...
, and featured Annamayya keertanas as songs in the movie. The movie was a major box office hit and won many awards including Best Actor
Nandi Award for Best Actor
Nandi Award for Best actor started in 1965.The Nandi Award for Best Actor winners:-See also:* Nandi Awards* Cinema of Andhra Pradesh...
and Best Film from the A. P State Government
Government of Andhra Pradesh
Government of Andhra Pradesh is the government for the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India.It is an elected government with 294 MLAs elected to the legislative assembly for a 5 year term.-Executive:...
.
Further reading
- Jackson, William. ‘Religious and Devotional Music: Southern Area’ (1999). In
External links
- Sri Venkateswara Annamacharya Society of America
- http://www.karnatik.com/co1010.shtml