Garimella Balakrishna Prasad

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad (born 9 November 1948) is an Indian classical devotional singer, compose, 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]

Sree Garimella Balakrishna Prasad
Background information
Born (1948-11-09) 9 November 1948
Rajamundry, India
GenresCarnatic music
Occupation(s)Classical singer and composer
InstrumentsVocal, Mridangam
Years active1970– present

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 1200 songs composed by various poets. Of these nearly 800 of them were Annamacharya sankirtanas, and this is a record. 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.

Early life

Balakrishna Prasad was born in Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh to Krishnaveni and Narasimha Rao, a music teacher and a Vaggeyakara. He holds a Diploma in Carnatic Music. He is an 'A' grade vocal artist of the All India Radio (AIR).

He specialised in Annamacharya compositions under the tutelage of Sangita Kalanidhi, Lt . Sri Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, who initiated him into the nuances of classical music. He was closely associated with Nedunuri Krishnamurthy in not only learning music, but also in composing music to Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, publishing books with musical notation and audio CD recordings.

Prof. D. Pasupathi also taught Annamacharya songs as well as classical kritis during two-year scholarship course offered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna's music, mellifluous voice and unique rendering inspired Sri Balakrishna Prasad to learn classical music. Sri Balakrishna Prasad also received musical training from Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna.

Performing career

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] He rendered remarkable services at various levels to raise it into a top cultural organisation.

His Nadopasana spans over four decades. Absolute faith, total commitment and the zeal for perfection are hallmarks of his music. He consistently endeavours to improve his art and continues to grow as an artist.

He performed in more than five thousand vocal concerts, set tune to more than six hundred Annamacharya songs, gave audio recordings for TTD, published books with musical notations and conducted classes, teaching Annamacharya songs to make them more popular.

Unique contributions and records

Personal life

He is married to G.Radha and has two sons – G.S.Pavana Kumar married to Srividya, G.V.N.Anila Kumar married to Swarna. He is the nephew of playback singer S. Janaki.[5]

Discography

Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, T.T.D Recordings

Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, Other recordings

Bibliography

T.T.D. Publications

Awards, titles and felicitations
Then President Sri Shankardayal Sharma Felicitating Sri Balakrishna Prasad
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, 2019 Felicitating Sri Balakrishna Prasad
  • Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Tirupati, Asthana Vidwan appointment on 16 November 2012.
  • ASTHANA SANGEETHA VIDWAN of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Title was awarded on 8 October 2010.
  • ANDHRA PRADESH GOVERNMENT UGADI PURASKARAM by the Department of Cultural Affairs, A.P. Government in the year 2007.
  • 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, USA, by SVASA (Sri Venkateswara Annamacharya Society of America)
  • SRI ANNAMACHARYA VIDWANMANI, in 1997, California, USA, 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.
  • "RAJA LAKSHMI FOUNDATION" special award
  • "SRI KANCHI KANCHI KAAMAKOTI PEETA" Aasthana vidwaan
  • "TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTANAM" Aasthana vidwaan
  • "BEST MUSICIAN FOR 2010 AWARD" by SANAATANA DHARMA charitable trust
  • "Dr. MANGALAMPALLI BALAMURALI KRISHNA SANGEETHA PRATIBHA PURASKAARAM"
  • "SANKEERTHANA GAANAPAYONIDHI" by R.J.MEDIA

Youtube Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCKcZt1sfIJLZ8emWG53C7McbdMgZ31Bu

Hari Sankeerthanam, Bhakti Tv

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYOhi4uPeLQ

Laksha Gala archana
gollark: *is interested in API-coded whatever*
gollark: I only have 7 reds left. This is disastrous.
gollark: I bet there'll be at least one halloweenling APed over the week.
gollark: Weird stuff happens.
gollark: You should leave many slots open for the new ones, since they tend to be pretty valuable, and also so you can breed holidaykin throughout the year.

References
  1. A. D. Rangarajan. "Singing divinity". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  2. "Spirituality and culture inseparable, says scholar". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  3. "Andhra music festival in city". Express India. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  4. "Rendering Annamacharya kritis with devotional fervour". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  5. J R Shridharan. "Annamayya keerthanas are everything to him". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
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