Annamacharya

Annamacharya was born of Narayana Suri alias Kumaranarayana and Lakshmamba of Tallapaka in Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh. At the age of eight, Annamacharya had to leave Tallapaka for Tirumala on a command from Lord Venkataramana in dream. The child prodigy had the vision of Alamelumanga (the damsel standing on a flower), the divine consort of Lord Srinivasa. Young Annama poured forth inspired songs numbering a hundred immediatedly at the same place, Mokallamudupu. As he ascended the seven hills, he was scaling spiritual heights too and he reached the Abode of Bliss, which to this day is an unparalleled inspiration to all categories of the public. Like the sages and the musical trinity, he was initiated into Vaishnava fold by Ghana Vishnu with Panchasamskaram rituals. Annamacharya remained at Tirumala till he attained the age of sixteen, an age immortalised by Markandeya of Tirukadayur. He had the manifestation of Lord Venkataramana and the commad of the Lord to compose not less than a song a day. his he carried out to the last. Divine will took him back to Talapaka and he married Thimmakka and Akkalamma.

Annamacharya toured the whole of South India worshipping and singing in praise of famous Vaishnavite shrines. Adivan Sathakopa Yathindra Maha Desikan (first acharya) of Ahobila Matam accepted him as his disciple and enlightened his life and mission. Inspired by the teachings of the guru, he sang the essence of Vasishtadwaita philosophy for the benefit of mankind. Saluva Narasingaraya, who ruled from Penukonda invited Annamacharya to his Court. But it was to last long. Delighted at the charm of the Poet's compositions, the Saluva expressed a desire for composing a song in praise of himself. 'Narastuti', (praise of man) was not within Annamacharya's comprehension. Quite in keeping with Prahalada's code Annamacharya told the chieftain that his compositions were of and for the Lord alone. Stung by the honest reply of the poet, the Saluva imprisoned Annamacharya. On release, Annamacharya left for his spiritual home, Tirumala.

Annamacharya, his son Pedda Tirumalacharya and his grandson Chinna Tirumala are together called as 'Tallapakam' composers. They were the first to compose songs in Telugu with Pallavi and Charanam which later composers adopted adding Anupallavi. A colossal output of thirty two thousand songs were sung by Annamacharya. Twenty thousand are not traceable. The copper plates onwhich they were inscribed are now with Sri Venkateswara Oriental Research Institute, Tirupati. The prolific composer had authored several works and the following are now available:
1. Sringara Manjari:
Poems of madura bhakti - Devotion and longing of the maiden for the Lord and her final union as in the case of Andal of Tirupavai songs symbolising the merger of the soul - jeevathma - with the ultimate - Paramathma.

2. Sringara Sankirtana:
Anthology of Nayaka - Nayika poems symbolising the Lord and the Poet in sringara.

3. Adhyatma Sankeertana:
Philosophical work expatiating on adoration.

The original Adhyatma Sankeertana in Sanskrit was transalated into Telugu by Chinna Tirumala and published by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The works are all addressed to the patron deity, Lord Venkateswara (Venkataramana). About ninety ragas had been used for the twelve thousand songs including rakti ragas like Ahiri and Bouli which predominate. Annamacharya also wrote the Sanskrit treatise on desi song forms titled 'Sankirtana Lakshana'. His songs cover temple rituals, utsavams and certain aspects of life and after. Annmacharya has also authored other works like:
Ramayana in Dwipada kavya
Venkatachala Mahatyam in Sanskrit
Satakas - eleven and
Prabandas in different languages.

Visishtadwaitam and Lord Venkateswara were the prime themes of Annmacharya as Rama was to Tyagaraja, Guha and Devi to Muthuswami Dikshitar, Krishna to Jayadeva. The language is simple, direct, colloquial within the reach of the lay devotee. He made liberal use of folk forms to popularise the message; and it was the message of God, Dharma and Humanism. He called his songs Sankirtanas and thus came to be called 'Sankirtanacharya'. The preceptor is also called as 'Pada Kavita Pitamaha', i.e., the progenitor of padam lyrics. The devotee, poet, composer and saint is revered. The Devasthanam is taking steps to popularise his songs which are the first of their kind combining bakthi, music and sweet Telugu ( sundara Telugu, as Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati extolled its sweet charm).