Garimella Balakrishna Prasad
Encyclopedia
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad (born 9 November 1948) is an India
n classical devotional singer and composer. He has been the Asthana Gayaka of the Tirumala temple at Tirupati from 1978 to 2006.
He is regarded as a pioneer in rendering devotional music in classical style, especially the Annamacharya sankirtanas. He set the musical tune for more than 600 Annamacharya
songs. He composed tunes for famous keerthanas such as Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnukatha, Jagadapu Chanavula and Pidikita Thalambralu... which became popular among the devotees. He sings in classical styles like carnatic classical, light classical, folk and light music.
to Krishnaveni and Narasimha Rao, who was a music teacher as well as a Vaggeyakara.
He holds a Diploma
in Carnatic Music. He is 'A' grade vocal artiste of All India Radio (AIR).
He specialised in Annamacharya songs under the tutelage of Sangita Kalanidhi, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy
, who initiated him into the nuances of classical music. He is still closely associated with Sri Nedunuri Krishnamurthy in not only learning music, but also in composing music to Annamacharya Sankeerthanas and publishing books with musical notation and recording audio CD's. He also trained under Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
and Prof. D.Pasupathi also inculcated the finer aspects of music while he was undergoing two year scholarship course offered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
.
His Nadopasana spans over four decades. Absolute faith, total commitment and the zeal for perfection are the hallmarks of his music. He consistently endeavours to improve his art and continues to grow as an artist.
He presented more than 6000 vocal concerts, set tune to more than 600 Annamacharya songs, gave audio recordings for TTD, published books with musical notations and conducted classes, teaching Annamacharya songs to make them more popular.
Elder son - G.S.Pavana Kumar, spouse - SriVidya
Younger son - G.V.N.Anila Kumar, spouse - Swarna
He is the nephew of playback singer S. Janaki
.
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for singing and distributing the songs. Listening your songs is one of my daily routines.
I like all your albums. As Suresh said, there is no contact information of you anywhere. Not even in your web page.
-- Thank you
Ravi
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...
n classical devotional singer and composer. He has been the Asthana Gayaka of the Tirumala temple at Tirupati from 1978 to 2006.
He is regarded as a pioneer in rendering devotional music in classical style, especially the Annamacharya sankirtanas. He set the musical tune for more than 600 Annamacharya
Annamacharya
Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya 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...
songs. He composed tunes for famous keerthanas such as Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnukatha, Jagadapu Chanavula and Pidikita Thalambralu... which became popular among the devotees. He sings in classical styles like carnatic classical, light classical, folk and light music.
Early life and background
Balakrishna Prasad was born in Rajamundry, Andhra PradeshAndhra 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...
to Krishnaveni and Narasimha Rao, who was a music teacher as well as a Vaggeyakara.
He holds a Diploma
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
in Carnatic Music. He is 'A' grade vocal artiste of All India Radio (AIR).
He specialised in Annamacharya songs under the tutelage of Sangita Kalanidhi, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy
Nedunuri Krishnamurthy
Dr. Nedunuri Krishnamurthy is a famous Indian Carnatic vocalist. His tonal quality and "Continuity" are his special assets.-Early life:...
, who initiated him into the nuances of classical music. He is still closely associated with Sri Nedunuri Krishnamurthy in not only learning music, but also in composing music to Annamacharya Sankeerthanas and publishing books with musical notation and recording audio CD's. He also trained under Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna
Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna is a Carnatic vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and a playback singer. He is also acclaimed as a poet, composer and respected by all Indian classical musicians for his knowledge of Carnatic Music....
and Prof. D.Pasupathi also inculcated the finer aspects of music while he was undergoing two year scholarship course offered by 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...
.
Performing career
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad joined Annamacharya Project after completing the course in 1978 as a vocal artiste. 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. He rendered remarkable services at various levels to raise it into a top cultural organization.His Nadopasana spans over four decades. Absolute faith, total commitment and the zeal for perfection are the hallmarks of his music. He consistently endeavours to improve his art and continues to grow as an artist.
He presented more than 6000 vocal concerts, set tune to more than 600 Annamacharya songs, gave audio recordings for TTD, published books with musical notations and conducted classes, teaching Annamacharya songs to make them more popular.
Personal life
Wife - G.RadhaElder son - G.S.Pavana Kumar, spouse - SriVidya
Younger son - G.V.N.Anila Kumar, spouse - Swarna
He is the nephew of playback singer S. Janaki
S. Janaki
S. Janaki is an Indian female playback singer. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has won four National Film Awards and 35...
.
Unique contributions and records
- He is the inventor of "Sankeerthana Yagnam", a stage where a large number of songs are sung by a singer on a single stage, which spans for more than one day. Sankeerthana Yagnam's performed by Garimella Balakrishna Prasad - Visakhapatnam in the year 1997 and Vijayawada in the year 1999 with more than 200 songs, Tirupati in the year 2001 with a record number of more than 300 songs, Hyderbad in the year 2003 and 2007 with more than 200 songs. Some of these features are being telecast through TV channels like MAA TV, Bhakthi TV etc.
- He has crossed most successfully 100 number of Annamacharya sankeerthans teaching through "Hari Sankeerthanam", a unique feature of BHAKTHI TV (a sister concern of NTv), to common folk. It is mentionable that his second son Sri GVN Anila Kumar has participated as student in this feature and thousands of music lovers are benefited by learning directly from Sri Balakrishna Prasad.
- "LAKSHA GALAARCHANA" is an extraordinary feature where in Sri Balakrishna Prasad has lead more than one lakh sixty thousand singers all across India on a single day, 10 May 2008, at Parade grounds, Secunderabad. This feature is conducted by "SILICON ANDHRA" (a U.S. based organization) in co-ordination with Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) State Government and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (T.T.D). This feature is telecast in live simultaneously by many TV Channels in India and abroad.
- More than 6000 concerts by a singer with Annamacharya sankeerthanas.
- More than 600 songs set to tune by a music composer for a lyricist.
- Tiramala Tirupati Devasthanams has honoured Sri Balakrishna Prasad with a certificate of appreciation and a silver dollar in the year 2006 for his extra ordinary service
- Being a Vaggeyakara he has penned sankeerthanas on lord Anjaneya "ANJANEYA KRITI MANI MALA" (21 kritis), on lord Ganesha (50 kritis), Navagrahas, Light music songs and on other lords. His own compositions are more than 1000 in number. Some of them are published as books with musical notations.
Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, T.T.D Recordings, sung by Sri Balakrishna Prasad
- 01 Annamayya Sri Venkateswara Geethamalik
- 02 Desi Kavitaa Gaanam
- 03 Tatva neeti Saaram
- 04 Annamayya Venkatadri Vennela
- 05 Annamayya Sankeerthana Lahari
- 06 Annamayya Hari Saranagati
- 07 Annamayya Ramanjaneya Lahari
- 08 Annamayya Hari Sankeerthanamrutam
- 09 Annamayya Haripada Makarandam
- 10 Annamayya Anantaraagaalu
- 11 Palukutenala Talli ( 2 volumes)
- 12 Annamayya Sankeerthana Palavelli
- 13 Sri Raamaanjaneyam
- 14 Srinivasa Sruti Bhushanam
- 15 Annamayya Venkatadri Nrusimhudu
- 16 Annamayya Alivelumanga Vilasam
- 17 Annamayya Sankeerthana Gnanayagnam
- 18 Annamayya Nrusimha sankeerthanam
- 19 Annamayya Sankeerthana Taarakam
- 20 Annamayya Sankeerthana Prabha
- 21 Annamayya Sankeerthana Brundaavanam
- 22 Annamayya Sankeerthana Prasaadam
- 23 Annamayya Haripada Sirulu
- 24 Nrusimha pada dwani
Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, Other than T.T.D Recordings, sung by Sri Balakrishna Prasad
- 01 Annamayya Paarijaatalu
- 02 Annamayya Sankeerthana Sudha
- 03 Bhavayaami
- 04 Annamayya sankeerthana chandrika
- 05 Annamayya Pada Madhuri
- 06 Annamayya Sankeerthana Pushpaalu
- 07 Annamayya Sankeerthana Pushpayaagam
- 08 Tirunivaali
- 09 Annamayya Pada Madhuri
- 10 Srihari Vaibhavam
- 11 Annamayya Sankeerthana Padanidhi
- 12 Annamayya sankeerthana manihaaram
- 13 Annamayya Vinnapaalu
- 14 Annamayya Madhuragaanam
- 15 Annamayya Venkatadri Govindudu
- 16 Annamayya Sri Krishna Padahela
- 17 Annamayya Sankeerthana Vedanaadam
- 18 Annamayya Aanjaneya Sruti Sanjeevani
- 19 Annamayya Sankeerthana Saamagaanam
- 20 Annamayya Sankeerthana Pranavam
- 21 Annamayya Pada Singaaram
- 22 Annamayya Srinidhi Sankeerthanam
- 23 Annamayya Alamelmanga Vaibhavam
- 25 Krishnaarpana
- 26 Annamayya Paatalu
- 27 Annamayya Vishnu Gaanam
- 28 Annamayya Sankeerthana Sarada
- 29 Annamayya Sankeerthana Sanjeevani
- 30 Flowers at his feet
- 31 Annamayya Sankeerthana Bharati
- 32 Sapthagiri sankeerthanalu
- 33 Hari Siripadahele
- 34 Annamayya Achyta Saranu
- 35 Annamayya Pada ratnaalu
- 36 Annmayya Nrusimha Sankeertanam
T.T.D. Publications
His tunes for Annamayya sankeerthana's has been published by TTD.- 1993 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Swara Samputi (Telugu)
- 1997 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Manjari (Tamil)
- 1999 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Sankeerthanam (Telugu)
- 2000 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Saurabham (Telugu)
- 2001 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Ratnavali (Telugu)
- 2001 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Swaravali (Tamil)
- 2003 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Praathamiki (Telugu)
- 2004 - Annamacharya Sankeerthana Mahati (Telugu)
Other publications
- KRISHNA RAVALI (2 Volumes) (Telugu)
- ANAJANEYA KRITI MANI MAALA (Telugu)
- ANNAMAYYA SANKEERTHANA SANJEEVANI (Telugu)
Awards, titles and felicitations
- ANNAMAYYA SANKEERTHANA MAHATI, in the year 2001, by T.T.D (on the successful completion of SANKEERTHANA YAGNMAN) at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
- ANNAMAYYA NAADA JYOTHI, in 1997, California, U.S.A., by SVASA (Sri Venkateswara Annamacharya Society of America)
- SRI ANNAMACHARYA VIDWANMANI, in 1997, California, U.S.A., by SAPNA (Sri Annamacharya Project of North America)
- GANAKALA VISAARADA, in 1999, by Cultural wing of State Bank of India, Labbipet, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- ANNAMAYYA NAADA SUDHA SAMRAT, in 2003, by Annamayya sankeertaamruta varshini, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
- ENCHANTING SINGER, in 2001 by Delhi Telugu Academy.
- MASTER M.N. AWARD, in 1998, "World Teachers Trust", an International Organization, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE, in 2000, "Academy of Fine Arts", Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
- Uttama Purusha, in 2000, Andhra Samskrithika Samithi, Hosuru, Tamil Nadu.
- GURU Sishya Puraskam, in 1998, by "Raaga Saptha Swara", Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
- Ghantasala Laitha Sangeetha Puraskaram, in 2005, by Sri Ghantasala Sangeetha Samsmarana Kalapeetham, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Harikeerthanacharya, 2006, by State Bank of India, Governorpet, Vijayawada.
- Honoured with Kanakaabhishekam in 2007, during Sankeerthana Yagnam by State Bank of India, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- Nandaki Shrignadha Gandharva, in 2006, by Panchaasya Sudharnavam, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
- Honoured with Suvarna Simha Thallatam, in 2007 by Bhuvaneswara Narayana Peetham, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
- Lakshagalarchana Saarathi, in 2009, by Surya Peetham, Garividi, Andhra Pradesh.
External links
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for singing and distributing the songs. Listening your songs is one of my daily routines.
I like all your albums. As Suresh said, there is no contact information of you anywhere. Not even in your web page.
-- Thank you
Ravi