3 day Annamacharya fest from July 1

3 day Annamacharya fest from July 1

‘Tirumala Tirupati’ Devasthanam’s (TTD) Annamacharya project CHENNAI: The ‘Tirumala Tirupati’ Devasthanam’s (TTD) Annamacharya project is conducting the 597th Annamacharya Jayanthy (Aradhana) celebrations for three days from July 1- July 3 at Narada Gana Sabha in Alwarpet.

The festival, co-ordinated by the local TTD Advisory Committee and Abhinaya Arts Academy would have ‘Vishnu Sahasaranamam’ chantings, ‘Goshti Gaanam’ (Congregation) of Annamacharya’s Sapthagiri Keerthanams on the first day, followed by a dance performance by Krishna Sweta of Vaizag.

On the second day, ‘Padmavibushan’ M Balamurali Krishna would be felicitated. Pappu Venugopala Rao, eminent Telugu scholar would give a multi-media presentation on ‘Srivari Sevas’ as performed at Tirumala with detailed explanation.

Chaitanya brothers would render vocal support to the presentation. Medasani Mohan, Director of ‘Annamacharya’ project would present a ‘Sreenivasa Sangeerthana Kalyanothsavam’ on the third day.

Annamacharya was a devotee of ‘Lord Venkatchalapathy’ of Tirumala and was the first ‘vaggeyakara’ (music composer) in Andhra Pradesh. He had composed 32,000 keerthanas.

The three-day annual 597th Jayanthi festival of Saint-poet Annamacharya, would commence here from July one, a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) member of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) said today.

The festival has been jointly organised by the Annamacharya project of the TTD and Abinaya Arts Academy.

The member, Rama Devi, told reporters here that the Jayanthi would be inaugurated by Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma.

On the first day a "Samuhika Visnu Sahasranamam" would be performed, while "Sapthagiri Keertanas" of Annamacharya would be sung in groups, she said.

A classical dance performance would also be given by Dr Krishna Swetha of Visakhapatnam.

On July 2, eminent carnatic musician Dr Balamuralikrishna would be felicitated followed by a multimedia presentation and a lecture demonstration of the Saint by Dr Pappu Venugopala Rao, Annamacharya project director, she said.

On the last day, besides other programmes, 'Kalyanotsava' would be performed on the presiding deity, she added.