Classical singer Garimella Balakrishna Prasad no more

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad
| Photo Credit: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, noted classical singer and former Asthana Vidwan (court musician) of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), died of heart attack at his home in Tirupati on Sunday. He was 76.

Balakrishna Prasad, who served the TTD from 1978 to 2006, shot to fame for composing the tune for more than 1,000 compositions of saint-poet Tallapaka Annamacharya. While the compositions were found and recovered in lyrical form, it was Balakrishna Prasad who brought them in musical form to the reach of music lovers.

Some of his compositions such as Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnukatha, Pidikita Thalambrala Pellikoothuru and Jagadapu Chanavula Jajara were even used in the popular Telugu film Annamayya, acted by Akkineni Nagarjuna and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao.

He had played a vital role in spreading the Annamacharya literature through music and helped spread his philosophy. It was only a couple of days back that he had performed at the famous Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Yadagirigutta (Telangana).

TTD chairman B.R. Naidu condoled his death. Joint executive officer V. Veerabrahmam and chief public relations officer T. Ravi visited his residence and paid their respects to his mortal remains on behalf of the TTD.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the death of Garimella Balakrishna Prasad came as a shock for him. In a post on ‘X’, the Chief Minister said Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, who served as the court singer at the TTD from 1978 to 2006, was a great person who composed music for more than 600 Annamacharya sankirtanas. He was also proficient in Carnatic, folk and classical music. With his melodious voice, he became a recipient of the grace and mercy of Lord Venkateswara, the Chief Minister said. “I express my deepest condolences to his family members” he said.

Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the death of the musician. Mr. Jagan conveyed his deep condolences to the family members of Garimella Balakrishna Prasad and prayed for the departed soul to attain eternal peace.

Recalling the invaluable contributions of Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, Mr. Jagan highlighted his distinguished service as a former court scholar of the TTD. He emphasised that Garimella Balakrishna Prasad’s legacy extended beyond his mastery as a musician, noting his remarkable work in composing melodies for devotional hymns of the saint-poet. He said that Garimella Balakrishna Prasad’s efforts in bringing Annamacharya’s music and literature to the masses through his compositions are priceless.