The mortal remains of Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, an acclaimed classical devotional singer and composer, were laid to rest with full State honours in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh government recognized his immense contribution to classical music and accorded State honours as a special tribute. His mortal remains were draped in the tricolour, and police honours were extended before the funeral procession.
Who Was Garimella Balakrishna Prasad?
Garimella Balakrishna Prasad was an Indian classical singer, composer, and scholar known for his devotional music.
Notable Achievements & Contributions:
- Honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2020) for his contribution to Indian classical music.
- Recognized as Asthana Vidwan (court musician) of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and Ahobhilamatam.
- Served Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) from 1978 to 2006.
- Composed music for nearly 1,000 compositions of Tallapaka Annamacharya, making his works accessible to a wider audience.
- Promoted light devotional music, which helped connect millions to classical and devotional traditions.
His Contribution to Annamacharya’s Legacy
- Annamacharya (15th-century Telugu poet) composed over 30,000 devotional compositions on themes of devotion, romance, and renunciation.
- Many of Annamacharya’s works were lost over time, but Balakrishna Prasad dedicated his life to reviving and setting them to music.
- His efforts helped bridge Annamacharya’s literary works with music, making them accessible even to the unlettered masses.
Legacy & Impact
- Popularized classical devotional music through his innovative compositions.
- Played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Telugu literary and musical heritage.
- His work continues to inspire devotees, music lovers, and scholars across India.