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Andhra Pradesh Music

Andhra Pradesh has been known since ages for its rich musical heritage. The state is also known for being the homeland of Thyagaraja, Shyama Sastri and Muthuswami Dixitar - the three prodigies of the Carnatic Music Trinity. The ubiquitous Telugu language of Andhra makes the true essence and spirit of Carnatic music. Annamacharya, Kshetrayya, and Bhadrachala Ramadasa are some of the great composers of Carnatic music. The divine Carnatic music is said to have instigated from the Gods.

In fact, folk music also has been originated from Carnatic music. This great art is taught and learnt by means of compositions that encode various intricate details of music. Perhaps each music composition has a different rendition. The musical element and 'what is suggested' in the piece of music are the two essentials of a perfect Carnatic composition. Other fact about Carnatic music is that each composition reveals the knowledge and persona of the composer, thus the language is as significant as the musical element itself.

In the field of instrumental music, Andhra Pradesh is not afar and has produced legends like Dwaram Venkatasami Naidu (Violin), Srinivas (Mandolin), Chittibabu (Veena) and Eemani Sankara Sastri (Veena). The eminent personalities of vocal music from the state are Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Srirangam Gopalaratnam, Sarangapani and Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana. The percussion instrument of Mridangam has reached new heights owing to Yella Venkatesara Rao.