Royal Carpet Carnatic Composers: Annamaacaarya

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karnATik

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Famous Carnatic Composers - AC

Annamaacaarya - (1408-1503) along with song pedda tirumalacarya and grandson cinna tirumala are tallapakam composers. first to compose songs in telugu with pallavi and caranam (later composers added anupallavi). collosal output of 32 thousand songs sung by annamaacaarya. 20 thousand not traceable. copper plates on which they were inscribed are now with Shree Venkateshwara Oriental Research Institute, Tirupati.

Born to Narayana Suri alias Kumaranarayana and Lakshmamba of Tallapaka in Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh, this child prodigy was said to have had a vision from Alarmelmanga, the consort of Lord Shrinivasa. At the tender age of eight, he left for Tirumala on a command from Lord Venkataramana in a dream. He had a vision of Alarmelmanga (the damsel standing on a flower), the divine consort of Srinivasa. Young Annama poured forth 100 compositions immediately at Mokallamudupu. As he ascended the 7 hills, scaling spiritual heights, he reached the Abode of Bliss, to this day an unparalleled inspiration to all. He was then initiated into the Vaishnava fold by Ghana Vishnu with traditional Pancasamskaram rituals. He stayed at Tirumala until the age of 16, an age immortalised by Markandeya of Tirukadayur. Then, he had a manifestation of Lord Venkataramana and a command to compose no less than 1 song a day, which he did till he passed away at the ripe old age of 95. After receiving his command, he returned to Tallapaka and married Timmakka and Akkalamma. He continued to tour the whole of South India worshipping Vaishnavite shrines. Adivan Satakopa Yati of Ahobilam enlightened his life and mission. Inspired by this guru, he sang essence of VisishTaadwaita philosophy.

Saluva Narasingaraya who ruled from Penukonda invited Annamaacaarya to his court, but it didn't last long. The king was delighted and wanted a song in praise of himself. Narastuti (praise of man) was not within Annama's comprehension and in keeping with Prahalada's code he told the king his songs were for the lord alone. The king was stung and imprisoned him. On release, Annamaacaarya left for his spiritual home, Tirumala.

Annamaacaarya along with his son Pedda Tirumalacarya and grandson Cinna Tirumala are called the Tallapakam composers. Annamaacaarya and these composers were the first to compose songs in Telugu with pallavi and caranam (later composers added anupallavi). A collosal output of 32 thousand songs were sung by annamaacaarya. 20 thousand of these are not traceable. Copper plates on which they were inscribed are now with Shree Venkateshwara Oriental Research Institute, Tirupati, published in a 26-volume set. Many of his songs are in ragas that are no longer in vogue. Modern tunesmiths have substituted popular ragas for many of his songs. Sangita Kalanidhi Nedunuri Krishnamurti has taken a keen interest in popularizing Annamacharya's kritis. Songs that are frequently heard are Vandeha jagat vallabham in hamsadwani and Bhavayami gopalabalam in yamunaa kalyaaNi as well as several below.

Mudra: VenkaTaacala

Compositions:

updated on 02/24/2019