Marking the 602nd birth anniversary of saint composer Annamacharya, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), in association with the Department of Culture and Silicon Andhra, launched a 108-hour long ‘Akhanda Sahasra Sankeerthana' in the city on Sunday.
Music lovers from different parts of the city took out a rally from Lord Venkateswara temple at Labbipet to Tummalapallivari Kshetrayya Kalakshetram, the venue of the programme.
Inaugurating the ‘Sankeertana,' Krishna district Collector Peeyush Kumar stressed the need for popularising the compositions of Annamacharya for the benefit of the future generations.
He observed that listening to the compositions would help people relax, easy their stress and even make them think about various social issues highlighted by the saint poet.
He said that though ‘Annamayya Laksha Galarchana' was also planned in the city, the programme got postponed due to the cyclone.
Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu underscored the need for making the present generation aware of cultural values.
He observed that Annamacharya criticised the caste system six centuries ago. President of the TTD's Dharmika Parishad Rallabandi Kavita Prasad said that the objective of the programme was not just achieving a Guinness record, but to popularise Hindu dharma across the world.
He said that 100 music troupes from various States were participating in the programme.
The rally was flagged-off by city Police Commissioner P.S.R. Anjaneyulu, Mr. Vishnu and Vijayawada East MLA Vellampalli Srinivas, founder of Silicon Andhra Anand Kuchibhota at Venkateswara temple.
Executive Officer of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamivarla Devasthanam N. Vijay Kumar, district president of Dharmika Salaha Mandali Gokaraju Ganga Raju, coordinator of the programme V. Hazarattayya Gupta and others were present.
