Rallapalli Ananta Krishna Sharma Biography 
Rallapalli Ananta Krishna Sharma was a noted composer of Carnatic music, singer and writer from Andhra Pradesh. In 1972, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship the highest honour conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. His major works include - Ananta Bharati (collection of Sanskrit works), Meerabai (1913) and Taradevi (1911), both belonging toTelugu Khanda Kavya, Vemana Natakopanyasamulu, Chayapa Senaniya, Nrita Ratnavali (1969), Arya (1970), Saraswatalokamu (1954) and Shalivahana Gatasaptashati Saramu (1932). His noted works include Composion of Annamacharya Keerthans.
Rallapalli Ananta Krishna Sharma was born on 23 January 1893 at Rallapalli village in Anantapur as the son of Karnamadakala Krishnamacharyulu and Alamelu Mangamma. He learnt Sanskrit, Telugu and Music. Alter the family moved to Mysore. From there, he learnt Sanskrit and Prakrit languages at the Chamaraja Pathasala. His music training was given by Chikka Rama Rao, Bidaram Krishnappa and Karigiri Rao. He married Rukminamma in 1911 aged 18.
He became a Telugu Pandit in Maharaja College of Mysore in 1912. He worked there till 1949. Then he joined the Sri Venkateshwara Oriental Research Centre, Tirupathi. During this time, centuries old great compositions of Saint Tallapaka Annamacharya stored in Tirumala temple store house was given to him by Chelikani Anna Rao, executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The job was assigned to him after the death of Veturi Prabhakara Sastry who was doing it earlier. He singularly worked on tuning the songs and published 7th and 8th editions of this pricey work. He has edited around 300 compositions and published during the period - 1951 to 1956. He wrote notations for 108 compositions as well.
Throughout his life, he has received numerous honours of which a few need special mention. "Astana Vidwan" by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in 1979, "Sangita Kalanidhi" in 1974 and Honorary Doctorate by Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi in 1974 are a few among them.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 08, 2014
