TirumalaL: The five-day 520th Tallapaka Annamacharya death anniversary celebrations began on a devotional note at the picturesque Narayanagiri gardens in Tirumala on Saturday. The processional deity of Lord Malayappa and his consorts Sri Devi and Bhudevi were brought in a procession to the accompaniment of traditional Nada Swaram and also Bhajans by various troupes from Tirumala temple to the Gardens where the celebrations were held. Artists dressed as Lord Venkateswara and his consorts, Lord Narasimha and also Annamayya led the procession giving a devotional touch.
The hour-long inaugural programme began with Sapthagiri Sankirtana Goshti Ganam by traditional vocalists to the accompaniment music, praising Lord and also paying tribute to saint poet Annamayya, who wrote 32,000 Kirtanas, the devotional songs mostly in praise of Lord Venkateswara and many with a strong social message of equality of all in the society.
