An ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati, AP, Annamacharya (also known as Annamayya) successfully composed more than 32,000 "sankeertanas" (Carnatic compositions) in the Carnatic music tradition. Though a great feat in itself, it still falls short of the estimated 475,000 sankeertanas composed by Purandara Dasa(known as the 'Father of Carnatic Music'). While enjoying popularity in his own days, his compositions were forgotten for over three centuries for some inexplicable reason. They were later found engraved on copper plates, hidden for centuries inside the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala.

Annamacharya considered his compositions as floral offerings to God. In the poems, he praises Venkateswara, describes his love for him, argues and quarrels with the Lord, confesses the devotee's failures and apprehensions, and surrenders himself to Venkateshwara. His songs are classified into the Adhyaatma (spiritual) and Sringaara (romantic) "sankeertanas" genres.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been successfully endeavouring to preserve the rich heritage of his compositions. The sustained efforts of dedicated scholars and musicians during the last thirty years have also helped revive their popularity among the Telugu people.

The sankeertanas engraved on copper plates were found in the Tirumala temple just opposite the Hundi, concealed in a very small room. It is said only 12,000 of the 32,000 sankeertanas were found. No leads have been available to trace the remaining sankeertanas. Some personnel involved in deciphering the plates say that the people of those days could have melted the copper plates for personal use.

"जीवन की प्रमुख घटनाएं"
साहित्यिक जीवन
व्यक्तिगत जीवन
संकीर्तन