https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Garimella_Balakrishna_PrasadGarimella Balakrishna Prasad - Revision history2026-07-31T09:55:09ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Garimella_Balakrishna_Prasad&diff=397358&oldid=prevWikiDwarfBOT at 04:54, 22 July 20232023-07-22T04:54:59Z<p></p>
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{{Infobox musical artist<br />
| name = Garimella Balakrishna Prasad<br />
| image = Balakrishna_prasad_garu.jpg<br />
| caption =<br />
| alias =<br />
| birth_place = [[Rajamundry]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1948|11|9}}<br />
| instrument = [[Vocal]], [[mridangam]]<br />
| genre = [[Carnatic music]]<br />
| occupation = Classical singer and composer<br />
| years_active = 1970–present<br />
| module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes|awards = [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] (2020)}}<br />
}}<br />
'''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.<ref>{{cite news |title= Singing divinity|author= A. D. Rangarajan|url= http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article2896222.ece|newspaper= The Hindu|access-date=18 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Spirituality and culture inseparable, says scholar|url= http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/30/stories/2004103003340500.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041122040342/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/30/stories/2004103003340500.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 22 November 2004|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|date= 2004-10-30|access-date=18 February 2012}}</ref> He served Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam's Annamacharya Project as Special Grade Vocal Artiste from 1978 to 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title= Andhra music festival in city|url= http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/andhra-music-festival-in-city/303845/|newspaper= Express India|access-date= 18 February 2012|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120925002102/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/andhra-music-festival-in-city/303845/|archive-date= 25 September 2012|df= dmy-all}}</ref><br />
<br />
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''.<br />
<br />
==Early life==<br />
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).<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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]].<br />
<br />
==Performing career==<br />
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.<ref>{{cite news |title= Rendering Annamacharya kritis with devotional fervour|url= http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/07/20/stories/2007072050850200.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104070422/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/07/20/stories/2007072050850200.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 4 November 2012|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|date= 2007-07-20|access-date=18 February 2012}}</ref> He rendered remarkable services at various levels to raise it into a top cultural organisation.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
<br />
===Unique contributions and records===<br />
<br />
* 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 a day. Sankeerthana Yagnam's performed by Garimella Balakrishna Prasad: Visakhapatnam in the year 1997, Vijayawada in the year 1999 with more than 200 songs, Tirupati in the year 2001 with a record number of more than 300 songs, Hyderabad in the year 2003 and 2007 with more than 200 songs. Some of these were telecast by TV channels such as '''MAA TV, Bhakthi TV''' etc.<br />
* He crossed the one hundred mark of teaching Annamacharya sankeerthans through "'''Hari Sankeerthanam'''", a program telecast on '''BHAKTHI TV''' (a sister concern of NTv), that targets teaching music to the common man. 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.<br />
* "'''LAKSHA GALAARCHANA'''" is an extraordinary feature wherein Sri Balakrishna Prasad has led 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 US based organisation) 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.<br />
* More than '''5000 concerts''' by a singer with '''Annamacharya sankeerthanas'''.<br />
* More than '''700 songs''' set to tune by a '''music composer''' for a lyricist.<br />
* '''Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams''' has honoured Sri Balakrishna Prasad with a certificate of appreciation in the year 2006 for his '''extra ordinary service'''<br />
* 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.<br />
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[[File:Raagas by GBKP.jpg|thumb|New raagas by Garimella Balakrishna Prasad in his own handwriting]]<br />
<br />
==Personal life==<br />
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]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Annamayya keerthanas are everything to him|author= J R Shridharan|url= http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/04/stories/2006090406160200.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080903042742/http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/04/stories/2006090406160200.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 3 September 2008|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|date= 2006-09-04|access-date=18 February 2012}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Discography==<br />
<br />
===Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, T.T.D Recordings===<br />
Visit https://www.tirumala.org/Annamacharya_Keertanas_Sravanam.aspx and search with name "G.BALAKRISHNA PRASAD" to listen to these songs<br />
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* Annamayya Desi Kavita Ganam<br />
* Annamayya Hari Pada Makarandam<br />
* Annamayya Hari Sankirtana Mrutam<br />
* Annamayya Hari Sharanagati<br />
* Annamayya Madhra Kavitha Ganamu<br />
* Annamayya Ramanjaneya Lahari<br />
* Annamayya Sankeertana Lahari<br />
* Annamayya Tatvaneeti Saramu<br />
* Annamayya Venkatadri Vennela<br />
* Nnamayya Anantaragalu<br />
* Paluku Tene Talli- 1<br />
* Paluku Tene Talli- 2<br />
* Sri Venkateswara Geetamalika<br />
* Srinivasa Sruti Bhushanam<br />
* Venkatadri Nrusimhudu<br />
* Annamayya Gnana Yagnam<br />
* Annamayya Hari Pada Sirulu<br />
* Annamayya Mohana Murari<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Brindavanam<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Prabha<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Prasadam<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Sravani<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Tarakam<br />
* Annamayya Sri Alamelumanga Vilasam<br />
* Annamayya Sri Hari Kusumanjali<br />
* Annamayya Sri Nrusimha Sankirtana Vaibhavam<br />
* Chinna Tirumalacharyula Pada Vaibhavam<br />
* Nrusimha Pada Dhwani<br />
* Sri Ramanjaneyam<br />
* Sri Venkateswara Vairagyavachanamulu<br />
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* Annamayya Archinchina Alamelumanga<br />
* Annamayya Govinda Ganam<br />
* Annamayya Pada Sudha<br />
* Annamayya Pada Sudharnavam<br />
* Annamayya Ramanuja Kirtanam<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Madhoolika<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Mukthavali<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Pushpalathika<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Shikhamani<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Sumaharam<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Sumamalika<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Sumasri<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Sushama<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Vaibhogam<br />
* Annamayya Sri Pranayamu<br />
* Annamayya Pada Kamalalu<br />
* Annamayya Pada Marakataalu<br />
* Annamayya Pada Mudrika<br />
* Annamayya Pada Parimalalu<br />
* Annamayya Pada Prasunalu<br />
* Annamayya Pada Surabhilam<br />
* Annamayya Padaaravindam<br />
* Annamayya Pataku Pattabhishekam - 96<br />
* Annamayya Sankeertana Sumagandhi<br />
* Annamayya Sankeertanaaraamam<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Pushpanjali<br />
* Annamayya Sankirtana Pushpavanam<br />
* Annamayya Srirama Pada Lahari<br />
* Taallapaaka Pada Prasadam<br />
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===Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, Other recordings===<br />
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* Annamayya Paarijaatalu<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Sudha<br />
* Bhavayaami<br />
* Annamayya sankeerthana chandrika<br />
* Annamayya Pada Madhuri<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Pushpaalu<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Pushpayaagam<br />
* Tirunivaali<br />
* Annamayya Pada Madhuri<br />
* Srihari Vaibhavam<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Padanidhi<br />
* Annamayya sankeerthana manihaaram<br />
* Annamayya Vinnapaalu<br />
* Annamayya Madhuragaanam<br />
* Annamayya Venkatadri Govindudu<br />
* Annamayya Sri Krishna Padahela<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Vedanaadam<br />
* Annamayya Aanjaneya Sruti Sanjeevani<br />
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* Annamayya Sankeerthana Saamagaanam<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Pranavam<br />
* Annamayya Pada Singaaram<br />
* Annamayya Srinidhi Sankeerthanam<br />
* Annamayya Alamelmanga Vaibhavam<br />
* Krishnaarpana<br />
* Annamayya Paatalu<br />
* Annamayya Vishnu Gaanam<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Sarada<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Sanjeevani<br />
* Flowers at his feet<br />
* Annamayya Sankeerthana Bharati<br />
* Sapthagiri sankeerthanalu<br />
* Hari Siripadahele<br />
* Annamayya Achyta Saranu<br />
* Annamayya Pada ratnaalu<br />
* Annmayya Nrusimha Sankeertanam<br />
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==Bibliography==<br />
===T.T.D. Publications===<br />
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His tunes for Annamayya sankeerthana's has been published by TTD.<br />
* 1993 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Swara Samputi (Telugu)<br />
* 1997 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Manjari (Tamil)<br />
* 1999 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Sankeerthanam (Telugu)<br />
* 2000 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Saurabham (Telugu)<br />
* 2001 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Ratnavali (Telugu)<br />
* 2001 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Swaravali (Tamil)<br />
* 2003 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Praathamiki (Telugu)<br />
* 2004 – Annamacharya Sankeerthana Mahati (Telugu)<br />
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===Other publications===<br />
* Krishna Ravali (2 Volumes) (Telugu)<br />
* Anjaneya Kriti Mani Maala (Telugu)<br />
* Annammayya Sankeerthana Sanjeevani (Telugu)<br />
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[[File:MS Subbalakshmi releasing Sri Balakrishna Prasad's Anjaneya Kritimani maala.tif|thumb|MS Subbalakshmi releasing Sri Balakrishna Prasad's Anjaneya Kritimani maala]]<br />
[[File:Ganesha Kritimani mala.jpg|thumb|150px]]<br />
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==Awards, titles and felicitations==<br />
[[File:Sangeet Natak Akademi.jpg|thumb|Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for year 2020]]<br />
[[File:Then President Sri Shankardayal Sharma Felicitating Sri Balakrishna Prasad.tif|thumb|Then President Sri Shankardayal Sharma Felicitating Sri Balakrishna Prasad]]<br />
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[[File:Felicitation by Venkaiah Naidu.jpg|thumb|Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, 2019 Felicitating Sri Balakrishna Prasad]]<br />
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* '''Sangeet Natak Akademi''', in the field of classical music for the year '''2020'''<br />
* '''Asthana vidwan Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)''', Tirupati, awarded on 16 November '''2012'''.<br />
* '''ASTHANA SANGEETHA VIDWAN of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham''', Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Title was awarded on 8 October '''2010'''.<br />
* '''ANDHRA PRADESH GOVERNMENT UGADI PURASKARAM''' by the Department of Cultural Affairs, A.P. Government in the year '''2007'''.<br />
* ANNAMAYYA SANKEERTHANA MAHATI, in the year 2001, by T.T.D (on the successful completion of SANKEERTHANA YAGNMAN) at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* ANNAMAYYA NAADA JYOTHI, in 1997, California, USA, by SVASA (Sri Venkateswara Annamacharya Society of America)<br />
* SRI ANNAMACHARYA VIDWANMANI, in 1997, California, USA, by SAPNA (Sri Annamacharya Project of North America)<br />
* GANAKALA VISAARADA, in 1999, by Cultural wing of State Bank of India, Labbipet, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* ANNAMAYYA NAADA SUDHA SAMRAT, in 2003, by Annamayya sankeertaamruta varshini, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* ENCHANTING SINGER, in 2001 by Delhi Telugu Academy.<br />
* MASTER M.N. AWARD, in 1998, "World Teachers Trust", an International Organization, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE, in 2000, "Academy of Fine Arts", Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* Uttama Purusha, in 2000, Andhra Samskrithika Samithi, Hosuru, Tamil Nadu.<br />
* GURU Sishya Puraskam, in 1998, by "Raaga Saptha Swara", Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* Ghantasala Laitha Sangeetha Puraskaram, in 2005, by Sri Ghantasala Sangeetha Samsmarana Kalapeetham, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* Harikeerthanacharya, 2006, by State Bank of India, Governorpet, Vijayawada.<br />
* Honoured with Kanakaabhishekam in 2007, during Sankeerthana Yagnam by State Bank of India, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* Nandaki Shrignadha Gandharva, in 2006, by Panchaasya Sudharnavam, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* Honoured with Suvarna Simha Thallatam, in 2007 by Bhuvaneswara Narayana Peetham, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* Lakshagalarchana Saarathi, in 2009, by Surya Peetham, Garividi, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
* "RAJA LAKSHMI FOUNDATION" special award<br />
* "SRI KANCHI KANCHI KAAMAKOTI PEETA" Aasthana vidwaan<br />
* "TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTANAM" Aasthana vidwaan<br />
* "BEST MUSICIAN FOR 2010 AWARD" by SANAATANA DHARMA charitable trust<br />
* "Dr. MANGALAMPALLI BALAMURALI KRISHNA SANGEETHA PRATIBHA PURASKAARAM"<br />
* "SANKEERTHANA GAANAPAYONIDHI" by R.J.MEDIA<br />
<br />
==Youtube playlist==<br />
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCKcZt1sfIJLZ8emWG53C7McbdMgZ31Bu<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
===Interview and Felicitation links===<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNlVWWNLpZs<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hyjAQTk3xo<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35NFRIs7mW0<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq6YrWuOgfs&t=250s<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEuKfxNnYK0<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi1w4pjdqwo<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btQLqGIu6qw&t=185s<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ_P7745lCs<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYOhi4uPeLQ<br />
<br />
===Hari Sankeerthanam, Bhakti Tv===<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYOhi4uPeLQ<br />
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===Laksha Gala archana===<br />
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btQLqGIu6qw&t=185s<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
<br />
* [http://www.carnaticindia.com/Balakrishna_Prasad.html Carnatic India]<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081028040314/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/24/stories/2008102450160300.htm The Hindu, 24 October 2008]<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Prasad, Garimella Balakrishna}}<br />
[[Category:Male Carnatic singers]]<br />
[[Category:Carnatic singers]]<br />
[[Category:Telugu people]]<br />
[[Category:Performers of Hindu music]]<br />
[[Category:1948 births]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:People from Rajahmundry]]<br />
[[Category:Singers from Andhra Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian male classical singers]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian male classical singers]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]</div>WikiDwarfBOT