Saint Annamacharya's works never cease to create interest and the research into his known and unknown poems continues to inspire. The latest to be unveiled is Annamayya anna maata a selection of 60 songs interpreted by well-known scholar Tadepalli Patanjali. The launch coinciding with the 604th jayanthi of the saint-poet, was interspersed with Annamacharya sankeertanas rendered by S. Venumadhav in his inimitable tones. The song on Nrusimha in Bowli with its vigorous jatis created the right effect to extol a powerful deity. The Mohana followed with its tilting phrases and the musician was able to impart the required cadence in his own sweet way. He experimented with Naadabrindavani in suralaku narulaku with its chittaswaram which turned out to be equally beautiful while the Desakshi ragam turned out to be the highlight of the evening as Ati shobiteyam Radha an Annamacharya keertana obviously inspired by the Sanskrit poet Jayadeva. Venumadhav excelled in bringing out the element of the Radha-Krishna divine love in his expressive voice. The sudden burst of showers played truant to this melodic evening staged on the amphitheatre of Saptaparni. The vocalist was ably supported by Kolanka Saikumar on the violin and TP Balasubramanyam on the mridangam.
As C. Mrinalini of Telugu University, who reviewed Annamayya anna maata book of songs rightly pointed out, it requires knowledge of Vishistadvaitam to be able to comprehend the philosophy of Annamacharya as reflected in his sankeertana. sharanagati
The book was formally launched by P.V.R.K. Prasad, who had earlier served as executive officer of TTD and pioneered the first Annamayya project. He gave an elucidation of the revival of interest in Annamacharya in the broader context of religion by the TTD then. The event was organised by Sujanaranjani, headed by Sitarama Sarma.
