Devotion and melody fills the air on birth anniversary of Saint Annamacharya

The day began at the foot of the Annamayya statue on Tank Bund, where flowers were offered and traditional melodies resonated gently through the morning breeze

Hyderabad: The air was filled with devotion and melody as Kalasagaram, in partnership with the Department of Language and Culture, commemorated the birth anniversary of Saint Annamacharya with a heartfelt celebration spanning both morning rituals and evening performances on May 11.

The day began at the foot of the Annamayya statue on Tank Bund, where flowers were offered and traditional melodies resonated gently through the morning breeze. The serene ceremony paid homage to the saint whose devotional verses continue to echo across centuries.

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As dusk fell, the focus shifted to Kalasagaram’s auditorium in West Maredpally, where the spirit of Annamacharya was brought alive through music and thoughtful reflection. In a well-curated presentation lasting over two hours, the disciples of Dr. Mridula Ashwin gave voice to 18 of the saint’s revered compositions. B. Asritha, Vembu Pushkala, Lasya Avula, and Meenakshy K. C. led the vocal renditions, with instrumental support from Dhruva on the violin and Veeramraju Lakshmi Ajay on the mridangam.

Adding an intellectual layer to the performance, Sri Shankar Rao provided in-depth interpretations of each krithi, offering the audience a glimpse into the devotional essence and poetic intricacies that shaped Annamacharya’s work. His articulate insights elevated the performance from a mere recital to an immersive experience.

Standout pieces such as “Podagantimayya” in Mohanam and “Komma Nee Palukulaku” in Anandabhairavi left an indelible impression, drawing appreciative applause and introspective silence alike. The evening reaffirmed the timelessness of Annamacharya’s spiritual voice and the enduring power of classical music to bring it forth.