A Musical Tribute to Tallapaka Annamacharya: Smt. Dharma Rajaraman Leads Annamayya 523rd Vardhanthi Celebration
On Monday, 16 March 2026, devotees and lovers of Telugu devotional music will gather to observe the 523rd Vardhanthi of the great saint-poet Tallapaka Annamacharya, lovingly known as Annamayya. This special program will feature a heartfelt musical offering led by accomplished vocalist Smt. Dharma Rajaraman, accompanied by her sister Smt. Vasantha Sivaramakrishnan.
Dharma Rajaraman and Vasantha Sivaramakrishnan come from a family that deeply valued music and culture. Their parents, Smt. Rajyalakshmi and Sri P. M. Sivaramakrishnan, ensured that the sisters received a strong foundation in Carnatic music by engaging the highly respected teacher Sri G. Srinivasan. Under his guidance, the sisters developed a deep appreciation for classical music and have now been singing for over sixty-five years.
Smt. Dharma Rajaraman from Bengaluru, India
A significant turning point in Dharma Rajaraman’s musical journey came when she returned from Kanpur to the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. There she had the good fortune of learning Annamayya Sankeerthanams from Smt. Malladi Jayashree, a distinguished disciple of Sri Nedunuri Krishnamoorthy and Sri Garimella Balakrishna Prasad. From that point onwards, Dharma Rajaraman embraced a personal mission—to promote and share the timeless compositions of Annamayya.
Her dedication extended beyond music. Determined to read and understand the original Telugu lyrics of Annamayya’s compositions without error, she joined Telugu classes conducted by Sri Praveen Ragi. Through these lessons she gained the ability to read the original script, understand the meanings of the compositions, and pronounce each word with clarity and devotion. Dharma Rajaraman gratefully acknowledges the guidance and encouragement she received from her teachers and supporters in promoting these sacred compositions.
The program will feature a selection of Annamayya’s beloved sankeerthanams, including the well-known “Brahmakadigina Padamu,” “Entha mathramuna,” “Arasi Nannu,” and “Sumuka Mangalam.” The opening piece, “Dinamu Dwadasi,” holds special significance. It was composed by Annamayya’s eldest son Pedda Tirumalacharya in honour of his father, inviting devotees to participate in a sacred offering in remembrance of the great saint.
This musical tribute also honours the memory of the distinguished scholar Professor Vaidyeswaran Rajaraman, widely respected as a pioneer of computer science education in India. He played a key role in establishing the first Computer Science Department at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and later founded the Supercomputer Education and Research Centre at the Indian Institute of Science. Over the course of his career, he authored twenty-five textbooks in computer science and was honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
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Beyond his remarkable academic achievements, Professor Rajaraman was a devoted supporter of his wife Dharma’s musical journey. He encouraged her to pursue her passion and even inspired her to learn Telugu so she could better understand the devotional compositions she sang. Together, they embodied the harmonious union of scholarship, culture, and devotion.
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As Smt. Dharma Rajaraman and Smt. Vasantha Sivaramakrishnan present these sacred compositions, devotees will once again experience the spiritual beauty of Annamayya’s music. Through such heartfelt offerings, the legacy of Annamayya continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the enduring power of devotion expressed through song.
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