Tirumala — Annamacharya Keertanas and the Sankeerthanas

trade_routes:

• "Andhra Pradesh temple corridor" connected_events:
  • event: "Ancient Tamil Sangam period" significance: "One of the earliest temple sites in Tamil Nadu" trade_routes:
• "Andhra Pradesh temple pilgrimage corridor" vahana: "Garuda (eagle mount)" sacred_colours:
• saffron
• yellow (pīta)
• gold connected_events:
  • event: "Ancient Tamil Sangam period" significance: "One of the earliest temple sites in Tamil Nadu" associated_kings:
• "Ancient Tamil kingdoms" sacred_flowers:
• lotus
• tulasi
• jasmine connected_events:
  • event: "Ancient Tamil Sangam period" significance: "One of the earliest temple sites in Tamil Nadu" associated_kings:
• "Ancient Tamil kingdoms" trade_routes:
• "Andhra Pradesh temple pilgrimage corridor" sacred_flowers:
• lotus
• tulasi
• champaka sacred_trees:
• peepal
• bilva (bael)
• tulasi sacred_animals:
• Nandi (sacred bull)
• peacock
• elephant sacred_colours:
• saffron
• white
• gold vahana: "Garuda (eagle mount)" primary_scriptures:
  • title: "Nālāyira Divya Prabandham" type: "stotra" festival_dates:
• "Maha Shivaratri (Feb–Mar)"
• "Diwali (Oct–Nov)"

Annamacharya (1178-1378)

Tallapaka Annamacharya was one of the greatest saint-poets of the Vaishnava tradition. Unlike composers who came later, he composed in Telugu, making bhakti accessible to the common people.

His Life

Annamacharya was born into a Tamil Vaishnava family that had migrated to Andhra Pradesh. His father, Kumaradeva Tirumalanatha, was a great scholar. From childhood, Annamacharya showed devotion to Venkateswara and musical talent.

He became a disciple of the great Vaishnava teacher and traveled extensively composing and singing.

Key Contributions

1. Sankeertana tradition: Annamacharya is credited with establishing the sankeertana (group devotional singing) tradition at Tirumala
2. Telugu in temples: He was the first to compose in Telugu for Venkateswara
3. Volume: Composed about 32,000 works (largest of any Indian saint-composer)
4. Social reform: Like Purandara Dasa, he fought against caste discrimination

Famous Sankirtanas

The Tallapaka Family

Annamacharya's descendants (the Tallapaka family) have continued his tradition for 700 years:

• Cinnanna (son) - continued composing
• Pedda Tirumalacharya (grandson) - preserved works
• Jagannatha Dasa - famous harikatha exponent

Daily Songs at Tirumala

Annamacharya's sankirtanas are still sung daily at the Tirumala temple during:

• Suprabhatam (dawn)
• Thomala (morning)
• Alankara (afternoon)
• Earala (evening)
• 帕Dhvajasekam (night)