Garimella Balakrishna Prasad

Sree Garimella Balakrishna Prasad
Background information
Born November 9, 1948 (1948-11-09) (age 63) Rajamundry, India
Genres Carnatic music
Occupations Classical singer and composer
Instruments Tambura
Years active 1970- present
Website http://www.facebook.com/gbkprasad/, http://sites.google.com/site/gbkprasad/biodata

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad (born 9 November 1948) is an Indian classical devotional singer and composer.[1] He has been the Asthana Gayaka of the Tirumala temple at Tirupati from 1978 to 2006.[2]

He is regarded as a pioneer in rendering devotional music in classical style, especially the Annamacharya sankirtanas. He set the musical tune for more than 600 Annamacharya songs. He composed tunes for famous keerthanas such as Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnukatha, Jagadapu Chanavula and Pidikita Thalambralu... which became popular among the devotees. He sings in classical styles like carnatic classical, light classical, folk and light music.

Contents

Early life and background

Balakrishna Prasad was born in Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh to Krishnaveni and Narasimha Rao, who was a music teacher as well as a Vaggeyakara.[3]

He holds a Diploma in Carnatic Music. He is 'A' grade vocal artiste of All India Radio (AIR).

He specialised in Annamacharya songs under the tutelage of Sangita Kalanidhi, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, who initiated him into the nuances of classical music. He is still closely associated with Sri Nedunuri Krishnamurthy in not only learning music, but also in composing music to Annamacharya Sankeerthanas and publishing books with musical notation and recording audio CD's. He also trained under Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna and Prof. D.Pasupathi also inculcated the finer aspects of music while he was undergoing two year scholarship course offered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Performing career

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad joined Annamacharya Project after completing the course in 1978 as a vocal artiste. 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.[4] He rendered remarkable services at various levels to raise it into a top cultural organization.

His Nadopasana spans over four decades. Absolute faith, total commitment and the zeal for perfection are the hallmarks of his music. He consistently endeavours to improve his art and continues to grow as an artist.

He presented more than 6000 vocal concerts, set tune to more than 600 Annamacharya songs, gave audio recordings for TTD, published books with musical notations and conducted classes, teaching Annamacharya songs to make them more popular.

Personal life

Wife - G.Radha
Elder son - G.S.Pavana Kumar, spouse - SriVidya
Younger son - G.V.N.Anila Kumar, spouse - Swarna
He is the nephew of playback singer S. Janaki.[5]

Unique contributions and records

Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, T.T.D Recordings, sung by Sri Balakrishna Prasad

Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, Other than T.T.D Recordings, sung by Sri Balakrishna Prasad

T.T.D. Publications

His tunes for Annamayya sankeerthana's has been published by TTD.

Other publications

Awards, titles and felicitations

Discography

References

  1. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/30/stories/2004103003340500.htm
  2. ^ http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/andhra-music-festival-in-city/303845/
  3. ^ http://www.primetimeprism.com/interviews/balakrishnaprasad.html
  4. ^ http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2007/07/20/stories/2007072050850200.htm
  5. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/04/stories/2006090406160200.htm

External links

Dear Sir, Thank you very much for singing and distributing the songs. Listening your songs is one of my daily routines. I like all your albums. As Suresh said, there is no contact information of you anywhere. Not even in your web page. -- Thank you Ravi