Garimella Balakrishna Prasad

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad (9 November 1948 – 9 March 2025) was an Indian classical vocalist and composer renowned for his devotional music in the Carnatic tradition. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, he was a distinguished exponent of Annamacharya compositions and contributed significantly to the preservation and popularization of Telugu devotional music.

Prasad served as Asthana Vidwan (resident musician) at several prominent religious institutions, including the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Ahobilam temple, and the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He was associated with TTD’s Annamacharya Project as a Special Grade Vocal Artiste from 1978 to 2006, playing a pivotal role in reviving and rendering the saint-poet Annamacharya's works for contemporary audiences.

In recognition of his contributions to Carnatic music, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2020.

Prasad was regarded as a pioneer in composing and rendering Annamacharya Sankeerthanas in various Indian musical genres like classical, semi-classical, light and folk styles. He composed tunes for the lyrics of nearly 1400 songs composed by various poets. Of these nearly 1000 of them were Annamacharya sankirtanas. To mention a few most popular sankeerthanas set to tune by Sri Prasad are Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnukatha, Jagadapu Chanavula, Vachenu Alamelumanga, Tiruveedhula Merasi, Choodaramma Satulaala, Jayalakhmi Varalakshmi, Aadimoolame maaku angaraksha, Mangambudhi Hamumantha, Antayu neeve, Yemani pogadudume, Annimantramulu and Pidikita Thalambrala.