A Legendary Voice Falls Silent

Carnatic Maestro Garimella Balakrishna Prasad Passes Away at 76 Due to Heart Attack

In an irreplaceable loss to the world of Indian classical and devotional music, Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, the celebrated Carnatic vocalist, composer, and torchbearer of Annamacharya Sankeertanas, passed away on March 8, 2025, at the age of 76. He succumbed to a sudden heart attack at his residence in Hyderabad, Telangana, leaving millions of devotees, music lovers, and disciples in deep mourning. His voice, which once reverberated in temples, concerts, and homes, has now fallen silent, but his immortal legacy in devotional music will continue to echo for generations.

A Sudden and Heart-Wrenching Demise

According to his family, Prasad complained of severe chest pain in the early evening hours of March 8, 2025. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was declared dead on arrival due to a massive cardiac arrest. His sudden passing has come as a heartbreaking shock to the classical music fraternity, devotees, and cultural admirers worldwide. Condolences have been pouring in from spiritual leaders, renowned musicians, cultural organizations, and government bodies, all emphasizing the immeasurable loss to India’s cultural landscape.

His last rites are scheduled to be performed with full state honors in his hometown, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, where thousands of devotees and fans are expected to gather for one final tribute. His mortal remains will also be kept for public homage, allowing admirers to pay their final respects to the legend.

A Life Dedicated to Devotion and Music

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, born on November 9, 1948, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, hailed from a family with a rich legacy in devotional art. His mother, Garimella Rajyalakshmi, a revered Harikatha exponent, recognized her son’s innate musical talent at a young age and introduced him to devotional singing. Under her guidance, young Prasad began performing in temple festivals, spiritual gatherings, and cultural events, gradually earning widespread recognition for his soulful renditions.

His formal training in Carnatic music started under legendary classical gurus, including the globally acclaimed Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mangalampalli Balamurali krishna and Nedunuri Krishnamurthy. With profound knowledge of Carnatic ragas, keerthanas, and talas, Prasad evolved into a profound vocalist, composer, and musicologist, dedicated to preserving and promoting devotional music in its purest form.

The Turning Point: His Association with the Annamacharya Project

The defining moment in Garimella Balakrishna Prasad’s career came in 1978 when he was appointed as a Special Grade Vocal Artiste under the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Annamacharya Project. This was the beginning of a monumental chapter in his life. The Annamacharya Project aimed to revive and popularize the Sankeertanas (hymns) of the 15th-century saint-poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala.

Prasad mission became clear — to bring back the forgotten Annamacharya compositions to life. Over the course of three decades, he personally composed and sang over 1,000 Annamacharya Sankeertanas, making them accessible to millions of devotees. His renditions of popular keerthanas such as:

“Brahmamokkate Parabrahmamokkate”

“Jo Achyutananda Jo Jo Mukunda”

“Adigo Alladigo Narayana”

“Tandanana Ahi”

…became household spiritual anthems, playing in temples, homes, and devotional gatherings across the world. His divine voice captured the very essence of Annamacharya’s devotion, moving devotees to tears and drawing them closer to Lord Venkateswara.

A Man Who Touched Souls Through His Music

Prasad’s gift lay not only in his mastery of Carnatic music but also in his ability to touch the soul of listeners. His voice, filled with devotion, purity, and serenity, created an atmosphere of divine presence wherever his music was played. Devotees often described his concerts as spiritual awakenings, as his voice transported them into the devotional realm of Vaikuntham (heaven).

His contribution went beyond stage performances. Prasad recorded hundreds of albums featuring Annamacharya Sankeertanas, devotional bhajans, and classical Carnatic concerts. His voice became synonymous with spiritual calmness, especially for devotees of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala. Even today, his voice can be heard resonating inside the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, where his compositions are played daily as part of temple rituals.

Recognition and Accolades: The Voice of Annamacharya

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad’s contribution to Indian classical and devotional music did not go unnoticed. His work was recognized and honored by several prestigious institutions:

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2020) – Conferred by the Government of India for his extraordinary contribution to Carnatic and devotional music.

Annamayya Pada Kavita Patakam Award – Presented by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Kala Ratna Award – Given by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for his lifetime achievement in Carnatic music.

Countless other state and national honors for reviving Annamacharya Sankeertanas.

Despite his fame, Prasad remained deeply humble, grounded, and spiritual, dedicating his entire life to Bhakti Sangeet (devotional music) without seeking materialistic gains.

A Sudden Loss That Shook the Nation

The news of his sudden demise on March 8, 2025, due to a heart attack has shaken the cultural and musical landscape of India. Thousands of devotees gathered outside his residence in Hyderabad, sobbing uncontrollably as his mortal remains were brought out for public homage.

His disciples, overwhelmed with grief, vowed to carry forward his musical legacy. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) declared a week of mourning, where Prasad’s recorded renditions would be played continuously across all major temples in Tirupati in his honor.

The Eternal Legacy of Garimella Balakrishna Prasad

Although Garimella Balakrishna Prasad is no longer physically present, his voice and legacy will continue to thrive eternally. His Annamacharya Sankeertanas will be played in temples, festivals, homes, and spiritual gatherings for generations to come. His disciples will carry forth his mission of preserving devotional music, ensuring that his name, voice, and devotion will never fade.

Prasad’s life was a testament to selfless service through music — a mission to connect humanity to divinity through sound. His renditions of Annamacharya’s divine literature will continue to inspire, soothe, and spiritually uplift millions.

As we bid a tearful farewell to Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, we do so with the comforting realization that his voice has now merged with the divine. His music will forever be a sacred bridge between humanity and divinity — a voice that transcended mortality.