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- By Jayanthi Subramanian
 Sri Garimella Balakrishna Prasad has redefined the art of rendering devotional music. One can emphatically say that he is an uncrowned King in the field of devotional music as his soulful renditions are vibrant, vivacious and virtuous filled with bhakti and bhava. Sri Balakrishna Prasad, a Diploma holder in carnatic vocal music and a graded artist of AIR has been into the fold of Annamacharya project as a special graded vocal artist. His initial speaks about him as a Gana
Gandharva.
Following are excerpts from an interview to Prism.
Jayanthi
Subramanian (JS): As a devoted disciple, tell us about your Gurus.
Balakrishna
Prasad (BKP) : My first and foremost Gurus are my beloved parents Late Smt Krishnaveni and Late Sri Garimella Narasimha Rao, who was a music teacher as well as a 'Vaggeyakara'. Then I had training under 'Sangeetha Kalanidhi', Sri Nedumuri Krishna Murthy Garu. Later I had some lessons under Padmasri Dr. Mangalampalli Bala Murali Krishna. Infact, I was greatly inspired in my childhood by his soul stirring music. I had the privilege of being a disciple of Prof. D Pasupathy for some time.
JS:
Can you tell us about your accomplishments as an artist?
BKP:
I have sung more than 500 Annamacharya Sankeerthanas in nearly 150 ragas, covering all styles viz., carnatic classical, light classical, folk and light music. I have even composed music.
JS:
That's interesting! Can you brief us about your compositions?
BKP: I have composed more than 200 krithis, varnams & thillanas. I have also composed music for more than 300 songs of Annamacharya apart from hundreds of other modern lyrics. I have set about 300 krithis to more than 100 ragas. I have composed 50 Krithis on Lord Vinayaka & exclusive Krithis on Navagrahas too.
JS: Have you got the script of your compositions published?
BKP: Yes, I am deeply indebted to TTD for publishing the following:
v Annamacharya Sankeerthana swara Samputi (Telugu script)
v Annamaiah Sankeerthana Chandrika (Tamil script)
v Annamaiah Nrisimha Sankeerthanam (Telugu Script)
v Annamaiah Sankeerthana Saurabham (Telugu Script)
v "Krishna Ravali" in 2 volumes which contains a collection of lyrics set to the popular style of light music.
JS: Sir, it is so nice that this interview could throw light on you as a great Vaggeyakara too.
BKP: I also feel very happy about it. My father was a vaggeyakara. His blessings have been showered on me to become one. I would like to make a special mention about my wife Smt. Radha who has been a towering support to me.
JS: Do you have any innovations to your credit?
BKP: Well, I have created a raga called 'Sundara Ranjani'. I intend creating many more with dedication.
JS: would you mind telling us about the albums released?
BKP: Here I would like to stress upon god's grace but for which, I would not have released nearly one hundred pre-recorded cassettes, some LP records, CDs which contain Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, live classical music concerts and Lalitha
Sangeetham.
JS: Have you given concerts abroad too?
BKP: I have performed under the joint sponsorship of 'Sapana' (Sri Annamacharya Project of North America, Chicago) & 'Svasa' (Sri Venkateswara Society of America Los Angels) in 1997.
JS: We would like to know about the awards and honours that you received.
BKP: Hmmm…. During my visit to USA, I was awarded 'Annamacharya Vidwanmani' in Chicago & 'Annamacharya Nada Jyothi' in Los Angels. The World Teacher Trust, which is an International Organisation of Visakhapatnam, honoured me with 'Master MN Award' recognizing my extraordinary service in propogation of Annamacharya songs. When I performed at Vijayawada for seven day 'Sankeerthana Yagnam' (sang 216 songs), I was honoured with a title 'Gana Kala Visarada'. The academy of fine arts of Tirupati awarded 'The spirit of excellence' in 1999 during their Golden Jubilee celebrations of Indian Independence. Andhra Samskrithika Samithi of Hosuru Taluq honoured me with 'Uthama Purusha' award in 2000. The Delhi Telugu Academy conferred the title "Enchanting Singer" in 2001.
JS: Can you share your experiences of your concerts of great value (like Sangeetha
Yagnam).
BKP: I deem it a great privilege performing for a unique 10 day programme called 'Annamacharya Trisathi Samkeerthana Yagnam' on a single dais singing 300 Annamacharya Kirthanas in 108 ragas from 3rd February to 13th February in 2001. At Tirupati, on another such occasion, in a mega event sponsored by TTD & Academy of Fine Arts, I was conferred the title 'Annamacharya Sankeerthana Mahathi' and was given a gold dollar of Lord Venkateswara and conducted another seven day 'Sankeerthana yagnam' at Visakhapatnam in 1997.
JS: Prasad garu, thank you very much sir for your valuable interview and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. We wish your son, Garimella Anila Kumar too, who is coming up to your expectations as an accomplished artist.
BKP: Thank you very much.
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