Annamacharya

Who was Annamacharya?

Taḷḷapāka Annamācārya was a Hindu saint of the 15th century and the earliest known Indian musician to compose songs called sankirtanas in praise of Venkateswara, the deity of Seven Hills in Tirumala, India where unbroken worship has been offered for over 12 centuries. The musical form of the keertana songs that he composed, which are still popular among Carnatic music concert artists, have strongly influenced the structure of Carnatic music compositions. Sri Annamacharya is remembered for his saintly life, and is honoured as a great Bhakta/devotee of Bhagwaan Govinda by devotees and saintly singers.

He is believed to have been the reincarnation of the precious sword of Vishnu. He is widely regarded as the Andhra Pada kavitā Pitāmaha.