, BIO-DATA ag of v GARIMELLA BALAKRISHNA PRASAD TIRUPATI, AP., INDIA. "Asthana vidwan" Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams SERVICE IN THE FIELDS OF ANNAMACHARYA, CLASSICAL AND LIGHT MUSICName Permanent Address Date of Birth Place of Birth Mother Father Academic Qualifications Technical Qualifications Gurus (Teachers) Who taught music Employment BIO-DATA GARIMELLA BALAKRISHNA PRASAD House No.18-1-662A, Bhavani Nagar, Tirupati-517 501 Telephone No, 0877-2255136 Cell: 9866263475 09-11- 1948 Rajahmandry, Andhra Pradesh (A.P) ‘Smt. Krishnaveni, Vocal and Violin Artiste. Garimelia Narasimha Rao "Vaaggeyakara” (Lyric as well as music Composer cum Singer). Author of "Sangeetha Swara Saahitya Samputi' Which was published with the aid of Govemment of Andhra Pradesh, in 1974 B.A. (With Modem Telugu Language) from Dr. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad in the year 1992 4. Diploma in Camatic Classical Vocal Music in Honours division from Technical Education Department of Andhra Pradesh Government in 1978. 2. All India Radio artiste in Light Music A-Grade. 3. All India Radio artiste in Camatic Classical Vocal in B - High Grade. Leamt basics from Parents. Later - mainly from 1) “Sangeetha Kalanidhi* Dr. Nedunuri Krishna Murthy. 2) Professor D. Pasupathi and 3) "Padmavibhushan" Dr. M. Bala Murali Krishna Worked as Special Grade Vocal Artiste in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ Annamacharya Project, Tirupati, from 1978 to 2006. -1-ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANAS Music Programmes Presented 1) With in India So far 5000 (Five Thousand) Music Concerts were presented ‘Some worth mentionings:- a) Singing before the then President of India Sri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy in 1979 on Tirumala Hills During his visit b) Singing before the then Governer of Bihar Sri Pendekanti Venkata Subbaiah and some other special invites in Bihar State Raj Bhavan in the yera 1985. ©) Singing before Sri Sankar Dayal Sarma the then Vice President of India during his visit to Pondichery in the year 1990, and also many a times before him on Tirumala Hils during his visits as President of India. 2) U.S.A. Tour Visited U.S.A. in the year 1997 September to Novermber and presented 24 Music Coneerts exclusively with Annamacharya Sankeerthnas (unlike others) in places Chicago, Washington, Pittsburg, Houston, Boston, Detroit, Memphis, Columbus, StLauis, Los Angels, Fresno, Livermore, Sacramento, Riverside, Malibu, Sandiego, Pasadena, Los Vegas, Sunny Vale, Atlanta, Austin, Philadelphia and Lemont. Sri Annamacharya Project of North America (SAPNA) of Chicago of America (SVASA) were the Organisations who arranged the tour. Publications A) Published 8 (eight) Books through TTD., Covering 200 Sankeerthans with musical notation - mostly with the songs set to tune by him seff. "ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA SWARA SAMPUTI". 2) In the year 1997 - ™ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA MANJARI." (Tamil) 3) In the year 1999 - "ANNAMAYYA NRUSIMHA SANKEERTHANAM", (With selected Sankeerthanas on Lord Nrusimha, as first of its kind). 4) In the year 2000 - “ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA SAURABHAM". 5) In the year 2001 - "ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA RATNAVALI" 6) In the year 2001-"ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA SWARAVALI" (Tamil) 7) In the year 2003 - "ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA PRADHAMIKA" 8) In the year 2004 - “ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA MAHATHI", A) Published through Mahati Kala Kendram, Tirupati - "ANNAMAYA SANKEERTHANA SANJEEVI" (Musical Notation in Telugu Script) in 2009. 4) In the year 1993 - Audio | Video Recordings Released so for, more than 100 Audio! Video CDs covering more than 400 ‘Annamacharya Sankeerthanas on behalf of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and other companies such as “Aditya’, "Sangeetha’, "Prasar Bharathi’ etc.MENTIONABLES AS ‘RECORDS’ 1) Recognition as an arliste capable of singing nearly 1000 Annamacharya Sankeerthanas. 2) Singing Annamacharya Sankeerthans altogetehr in 200 Ragas - In Classical, Light music and folk music styles 3) Composed music to more than 600 Annamacharya Sankeerthanas in nearly 150 Ragas - in all styles of South Indian Music. 4) So far released more than 100 cassettes | C.D.s Covering nearly 400 Annamacharya ‘Sankeerthana in his Voice, to be considered as highest number compartively. 5) Introduced a unige musical feast namely "SANKEERTHANA YAGNAM" scheduled to perform Sankeerthanas at least for Seven days presenting not less than 216 all together. So far performed for 7 times- in Visakhapattanam (1997), Vijayawada (1999), Tirupati (With record number of 300 songs) (2003), Hyderabad (2007), Vijayawada (2008) and Hyderabad (2009) and Kakinada (2011) Mentionable special programmes through channels like SVBC (Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel); BHAKTI TV, Door Darsan (SAPTHAGIRI) and MAA TV. 1) "ANNAMAYA SANTKEERTHANA LAHARI" special feature with the narration of Padma Bhushan, Gnanapeeth Awardee Dr. C. Narayana Reddy - featured for six months with 25 episodes in Door Darshan, Sapthagiri Channel. 2) "HARI SANKEERHANAM” which was featured since 2008 in Bhakti TV in which ‘Annamacharya Songs or taught every week (It is a RECORD work teaching through channel for more than two and half years.) 3) "ANNAMAYYA SWARARCHANA" a special feature with 108 episodes being telecast by SVBC (Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel of TTD, Tirupati) in which sharing the experience in compositing music to Annamacharya Songs and the specialities in those musical compositions, running from November 2009 (it is RECORD work of its kind). 4) Participation as a student, in "NAADOPASANA" a special feature intended to popularise ‘Annamacharya Songs conducted by Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Nedunuri Krishnamoorthy. 5) Participation as an anchor in "NAADAYOG!" a special feature to cover the ideas and experience of Dr. Nedunuri Krishnamoorthy in composing music to Annamacharya ‘Sankeerthanas. CONTRIBUTION AS A TEACHER More than 50 students were trained by Balakrishna Prasad through TTDs 2 years ‘Scholarship training scheme. Sri G. Madhusudan Rao, Sri B. Raghunath, Smt. K. Visalakshi, ‘Sri Uday Bhaskar, Sri Saraswathi Prasad, Sri Parameswaraiah etc., working now in T.TD. are some of such trained artists ‘Smt. N.C. Sridevi, Chaitanya Brothers, Smt. R. Bullemma (TTD.) who are popular in singing Annamacharya Songs are also specially trained by Sri Prasad. -3-TITLES AND FELICITATIONS 1. ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA MAHATI Title awarded by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and Academy of Fine Arts, Tirupati, jointly on 13-02-2001 in appreciation for having perfonned Sankeerthana Yagnam with 300 Annamacharya Sankeerthanas (A unique feet), for ten days on single dias. 2. "ANDHRA PRADESH GOVERNMENT UGAD! PURASKARAM" by the Department of Cultural Affairs, AP Government in the year 2007. 3. "ASTHANA SANGEETHA VIDWAN” of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Title was awarded on 8-10-2010 by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, 4, POTTISRIRAMULU TELUGU UNIVERSITY Hyderabad honoured as the "BEST MUSICIAN for the year 2009" {Visista Purashakam) on 22-12-2010. 5. "BAADAM MAADHAVA RAO GUPTA BHAGAVATAR SMAARAKA PURASKARAM" awarded to Sri Prasad by Abhyudaya Foundation, Kakinada in the year 2006. 6. "RAJALAKSHM| FOUNDATION SPECIAL AWARD", awarded by Rajalakshmi Foundation, Chennai in the year 2010. 7. ANNAMAYYA NADA JYOTHI Title awarded in 1997 at Calfomia, USA, by SVASA {Sri Venkateswara Annamacharya Society of America), in appreciation for the service rendered to propogate Annamacharya Sankeerthanas all over India and abroad, 8. SRI ANNAMACHARYA VIDWANMANI Title awarded in 1997 at Chicago, USA by SAPNA {Sri Annamacharya Project of North America), in appreciation for the long service rendered in propogation of Annamacharya Sankeerthanas all over India and abroad 9. "LAKSHAGALAARCHANA SARADHI" title received Suryapeetham, Parvathipuram, Vizianagaram District in 2009 during Gurupoomima Festival 10. "SIMHA THALATA" Purashkar (Golden Bangle like ornament with the face of lion) from Pa. Pa. Swamy Sri Bhuvaneswar Narayanashrama Guru Peetham, Hyderabad during Sankeerthana Yagnam Festival at Vijayawada, A.P in 2008. 14, ENCHANTING SINGER Title awarded by the Delhi Telugu Academy in 2001 12. MASTER M.N. AWARD awarded by "The World Teachers’ Trust" International Organisation of Visakhapatnam in the Year 1998. 13. HARIKEERTHANACHARYA title presented by STATE BANK OF INDIA, Govemorpet, Vijayawada in the year 2006, 14, KANAKAABHISHEKAM (falicitation with Golden Flowers pouring on head in a traditional way) performed during Sankeerthana Yagna in July, 2007 at Vijayawada. -4-15. "SUVARNA GANDAPENDERAM" received from Sadguru Sri Krishna Yaji Ganu on behalf of Suryapeetham at Garividi, Vizianagaram District in 2009 during Gurupoomima Festival 16. GANAKALA VISARADA Title awarded by the cultural wing of State Bank of India, Labbipet, Vijayawada, in connection with the successful rendering of Sankeerthana Yagnam for 7 days with 216 Annamacharya Sankeerthanas in the year 1999. 17. ANNAMAYYA NAADA SUDHA SAMRAT Title awarded by "Annamayya Sankeerthanamrutha Varshini" of Hyderabad in March 2003 during Sankeerthana Yagnam 18. SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE title awarded by the “The Academy of Fine Arts” Tirupathi in the year 1999. 19, UTTAMA PURUSHA Title awarded by The Hosuru Andhra Samskrithika Samithi, Hosuru (Tamil Nadu) in the year 2000. 20. GURU SISHYA PURASKARAM Felicitated by “Raga Saptha Swara" of Hyderabad - The Guru Bala Krishna Prasad and his prime disciple Smt, N.C:Sree Devi of Tirupathi (SBI) in the year 1998. 21. GHANTASALA LALITHA SANGEETHA PURASKARAM-2005 Awarded by Sri Ghantasala Sangeetha Samsmarana Kalapeetham of Machilipatnam, AP 22. "NANDAKI SRIGANDHA GANDHARWA" title received from Panchasya Sudharnavam, organisation of Hyderabad in the year 2006 23. "USHASREE SAMSKRIT| SATKARAM" by Ushasri Mission at Vijayawada in the year 2008 24. "ANNAMAYYA SANKEERTANA SWARA VIRINCHI" title awarded by "Sujana Ranjani" Hyderabad in 2008 ‘The then President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma honouring Balakrishna Prasad after listening his melodious music concept at Tirumala (A.P) in 1990 during his visit to Lord Balaji25."BEST MUSICIAN FOR 2010 AWARD" awarded by Sanathana Dharma Charitable Trust, Visakhapatnam, AP. in April 2011, at Hyderabad. 26."Dr. MANGALAMPALLI BALAMURALI KRISHNA SANGEETHA PRATHIBA PURASKARAM" awarded by Dr. Balamurali Krishna Sangeetha Sabha, Rajamundry, in July 2014 27. "SANKEERTHANA GAANAPAYONIDH" title awarded by R.J. Media, Hyderabad in August, 2011 at Hyderabad 28. "ASTHANA VIDWAN “ Kanchi Kama Koti Peetham in 2010 Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams in 2012 Bharat Ratna Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi releasing the book “ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTHANA MANJARI" (Tamil Musical Notation book) composed by Balakrishna Prasad, at Music Academy Chennai, during Annamacharya Jayanthi Festival in 1997. Sadguru Sri Sri Sri Sivanandamoorthi Garu (Second from left) presenting Citation (Title) to Sti G, Balakrishna Prasad on eve of "Sanathana Dharma Charitable Trust Sriramanavami Celebrations” at Hyderabad on 12-4-2011 -6-CLASSICAL MUSIC FIELD Own Music Compositions Balakrishna Prasad as one of the Vaaggeyakaras of 21st Century has composed more than 300 classical lyrics ("Krithis") to his credit in Sanskrit and Telugu which include a few "Vamams" and "Thillanas'. Group Wise:- a) Krtithis on Lord Sri Anjaneya (more than 40) which includes a Krithi in a New Raga created by himself and named as "Sundara Ranjani" b) Krithis on Lord Sri Vinayaka (55 Nos) c) Krithis on Nava Grahas (9 Nos) 4) Krithis on Lord Vishnu, Lord Siva, Goddess Srilakshmi, Goddess Parvathi, Goddess Saraswathi etc. Book Publications "Sri Anjaneya krithi Mani Mala” with selected 21 own krithis on Lord Sri Anjaneya with musical notation. It is first of its kind in the field of carnatic music. Recording of CDs. “Classical Vocal” (1983) cassettee was produced by “Sangeetha” audio company. Bhadrachala Ramadasu Keerthanalu (1998) produced by Sapthagiri audios. Tyagaraja Pancharatnalu (1999) produced by Sapthagiri audios Sri Anjaneya Krithimani Mala (II Vol.) 1995. arena ‘Sangeethamritham (inclueds own lyrics) - 1999 produced by Sapthagiri audios. Special Recording for AIR It is a great honour to Balakrishna Prasad that Prasara Bharathi recorded some of his own Krthis selected from "Sri Anjaneya Krithi Mani Mala” for a special recording in A.|.R. to keep them in NATIONAL ACHIEVES. The recording took place in 2004, Likewise nearly 25 Annamacharya Sankeerthanas were recorded for Prasara Bharathi Archieves, in 2004 Creating New Ragas Balakrishna Prasad has created some new ragas as a gift to the field of Camatic music, like SUNDARA RANJINI, VAANI PRIYA, SANJEEVI, NATA HINDOLAM, SATYA PRIYA and he composed his own lyrics as well as set music to some ‘Annamacharya Songs to stand as demonstration for the above ragasLIGHT MUSIC Balakrishna Prasd has composed so far nearly 400 light music songs (modem musical lyrics) in different categories such as love, devotion, patriotic, describing nature. He also composed music to number of lyrics of other contemporary poets like Dr. C. Narayana Reddy, Dr BR. Sastry, Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sharma, Smt Telikicherla Kandadai Seethamma etc. Recordings Nearly 100 songs composed by him are recorded for All India Radio, Doordarshan, audio marketing companies like Sangeetha, Ajanta Fine Arts, Rishi Peetham etc.. Nearly 25 COs are realeased so far covering his lyrics song by himself, by others like famous. Cine Playback singers like Smt. S. Janaki, Sri S.P. Balasupramanyam, Smt. S.P Saiaja, Smt. N.C. Sridevi, Smt. K. Viayalakshmi and Smt. G. Radha. Quite a number of other poets’ lyrics are sung by Sri Prasad and recorded. Some important recordings released by Balakrishna Prasad (1) KRISHNA RAVALI, (2) AYYAPPA GEETHIKASHTAKAM, (3) SRINIVASA PADA SANNIDHI, (4) SRI SHRIDISAI GEETHAMALIKA, (5) SRINIVASA KATHASUDHA, (6) SRI ANDAL SANKEERTHANA VAIBHAVAM, (7) SIVAPADAM, (8) SIVAJYOTHI, (9) KAILASA YANTHRAM, (10) PRABHO VENKATESA, (11) JAYA HANUMAN, (12) GOVINDA HE GOVINDA. Publications 80 songs are published in two volumes with the name KRISHNA RAVALI which are approved by All India Radio (Prasara Bharathi) for broadcasting and being sung by many light music singers, Balakrishna Prasad, the author of "Sri Anjaneya Krithimanimala® a book of his own compsitions im its releasing function at Chennai in 1995 by Sarvani Sangeetha Sabha - Padmavibhusan Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Kalaimamani Smt. Dr. S. Janaki (quests of honour) on the dias. -8-THE HINDU REVIEWS The Hindu - Friday, October 16, 1998 JUDICIOUS SELECTION OF SONGS The 590th Jayanti Celebration of Tallapaka Annamacharya was celebrated with great devotion by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and Music Academy as an annual feature. As Mr. TT. Vasu, president of Music Academy, observed on the occasion, it was Tirupati brought to Chennai. Though the sankeertanas appear as the ecstatic expression of a Great bhakta, they served to stir spiritual realisation in the audience in the manner Annamacharya was inspired by deep devotion. His bhakti, surrender and consecrated poems were not abstract ideas but a total self-absorption in the intimate reality of Lord Venkatesa. At least during the recital of the hymns, the rasikas emerged out of the narrow confines of ego and felt the sacred touch of the Spirit G. Balakrishna Prasad's rendering of the songs represented the pulse of Annamacharya's devotion. Endowed with a good voice and with his impeccable Telugu diction, he truthfully brought out the religio philosophical ethos contained in Annamacharya's songs. - S.V.K. Sri Mallela Kameswar Rao Honouring Sri Balakrishna Prasad with “Golden Simha Thalatam" on behalf of the Pa, Pa, Swamy Sri Bhuvaneswar Narayanashrama Guru Peetham, Hyderabad during ‘Sankeerthana Yagnam Festival at Vijayawada, AP. in 2008. Sadguru Sri Krishna Yaji falictating Sri Balakrishna Prasad with gokden "GANDAPENDERAM" to his right foot during Guru Poomima Festival at Garivid, Vjayanagaram Dist, (A.P) in the year 2009,The Hindu - Friday, July 4, 2008 SENSIBILITIES OF A HIGH ORDER BALAKRISHNA PRASAD'S RENDITION OF ANNAMACHARYA KRITIS AT THE MEMORIAL CONCERT WAS IMBUED WITH INNATE DIGNITY Lalitha Kala Vedika honoured the memory of its late founder and patron of the arts, BVSS. Mani, by organising a recital of Annamacharya compositions by G. Balakrishna Prasad of Tirupati ‘The senior vidwan who has been a moving force in the Annamayya project of the T.T.D. and a disciple of Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, communicated musical sensibilities of a high order. With manifest emotional involvement lending a personalised slant to the kritis, the artist's renditions were imbued with an innate dignity. Classic Sankarabharanam The simple, clean lines of the ‘dhathu' in a wide spectrum of ragas ranging from Sudha Dhanyasi, Brindavani, Abhogi, Durga and Rasika Ranjani to a classicism-embedded Sankarabharanam, Madhyamavathi and Gambhira Nattai to an esoteric Nasika Bhushari, succeeded admirably in emphasising the spiritual content of the mathu with intensity and crystal clear enunciation of lyric. The artist was accompanied by VV. Ravi (violin) and Mannargudi Easwaran (mridangam). ‘The high point of the Kriti line-up came with the composition ‘Raamam Indeevara Shyaamam’ that glowed resplendent in its intricate setting of the Nasikabhushni raga alapana. The rage’s graceful lines eddied and swirled around a core of vidwat in a graceful delineation while the kriti was set to khanda chapu tala, the distinctive gait highlighting the beauty of the lyric that sped into melkalam mode in the anupallavi and charanam Other renditions that stood out for melodic content included ‘Hari Hari Nee Maayaa Mahima’ in Rasika Ranjani, voice gliding smoothly over glistening strands, ‘Aanikaadavada Anthatiki’ tuned to lovely facets of raga Durga and an uplifting ‘Veedivo Ala Vijayaraghavudu' (Brindavani) that breezed in on a joyous note. ‘Alarulu Kuriyaga Aadenadhe’ was rooted in the strong classical content of Sankarabharanam and showcased pithy kalpanaswaras with suocinct single and hatf-avartana kuraippu rounds homing in on the tara sthayi shadja. The value addition here was Mannargudi Easwaran's short, crisp thani that spett class as always. Inbuilt jatis sparkled in the Gambhira Nattai sway of 'Tiro Tiro Javaraala’ and the familiar strains of ‘Bhavamuiona’ in Sudha Dhanyasi brought home the bhava that reached an acme at the point of heartfelt articulation in ‘Achyutha Achyutha! - Lalitha Krishnan -10-