Garimella Balakrishna Prasad
| Sree Garimella Balakrishna Prasad | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Born |
9 November 1948 Rajamundry, India |
| Genres | Carnatic music |
| Occupation(s) | Classical singer and composer |
| Instruments | Mridangam |
| Years active | 1970– present |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/gbkprasad/, http://sites.google.com/site/gbkprasad/biodata, http://wonderbookofrecords.com/home/renowned-indian-classical-devotional-composer-singer-especially-of-annamayya-keerthanas-and-katcheris/ |
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad (born 9 November 1948) is an Indian classical devotional singer, composer and T.T.D Asthana Vidwamsulu. He served Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam's Annamacharya Project as Special Grade Vocal Artiste from 1978 to 2006.
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".
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.
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. He rendered remarkable services at various levels to raise it into a top cultural organisation.
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