“Annamaiyah”
(Life history of ANNAMAIYYA)

Artists: Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala main and 6 dancers; Total artists: 7
Duration: 1 ¾ hrs (Pre – recorded)
Subject: Lord Venkateshwara
Concept: Hon’ble Justice Shri.K.S.Baktavatsalam
Music: Shri.L.Vaidyanathan and Shri .D. Pasupathi
Choreography:  Guru Smt. Krishnakumari Narendran
Language: Telugu

Thalapaka Annamayya (1424-1503) was the earliest composer of Telugu Keerthanas.  Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala’s Ballet, Annamayya has not only captured the lyrical beauty of the compositions of this great poet, but is also a visualization of his life and spiritual experiences. The ballet commences with Annamayya’s life, full of hardships.  At the age of sixteen he had the momentary vision of the Lord Venkateshwara in his dreams and he surrendered his heart. Annamayya has to his credit nearly 32000 compositions.  His keerthanas not only glorify Venkateshwara but also divine incarnations. Annamayya’s fame spread far and wide. Annamayya inscribes all his compositions on copper plate and offers it at the feet of the Lord at Tirumala.

PRESS Excerpts

SUBLIME DANCE ON LIFE OF ANNAMAYYA:

Parvathi gave a fine portrayed of Annamayya’s life history along with her co-dancer, carried the audience to the key episodes-the pilgrimage to Thirumala, encountered with divine grace, scenic beauty of a touching genre such as ravishing portrait of Lord Venkateswara, the numeric power of Parvati’s dance sequences n which one could visualize, the blending of astonishing empathy- along these contributed to the sub limiting of the dance feature.

-K.S.Mahadevan, INDIAN EXPRESS