Maitri group paid a heartfelt tribute to the prolific composer & singer Garimella Balakrishna Prasad in Suwanee, Georgia

The participants of the Maitri monthly meeting, held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Suwanee, Georgia, paid a deeply emotional tribute to Sri Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, the legendary devotional music. Their heartfelt words and soulful renditions of his songs were a testament to the profound impact his music had on them. They all expressed that although he is no longer in this world, his music will continue to resonate with generations of music lovers.

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, fondly known as Balakrishna Prasad Garu, was a prolific composer and singer. His repertoire includes about 1,000 Annamayya Keerthanas and 200 other songs. His expressive and melodious music has left an indelible mark, inspiring millions to connect with Annamayya Keerthanas. His voice, with its unique ability to transport listeners into a trance, will continue to resonate, even after his passing on Mar 9, 2025, following a brief illness.

Established in 2009, Maitri is an Organization for Visiting Parents and Seniors living in the US. Its gatherings, held on the second Sunday of every month, cover a wide range of topics and activities, including music, healthcare, alternative medicine, travel, and spirituality. These meetings often feature artists and other talented personalities, adding a unique and enriching dimension to the discussions.

A senior member of Maitri, Smt. Rajyalakshmi Vudathu garu sang a Prayer song and a Keerthana. Raaga Vahini, Singer and MC of the event, welcomed the gathering. Ram Durvasula, a senior artist, spoke about Balakrishna Prasad Garu. Several singers presented Keerthana and gave their 100% – Mohan Devu, Krishna Rallabandi, Sandeep Kowtha, Srivalli Sridhar, Shilpa Vuppuluri, Srivalli Kuppa, Pooja Vishnu and Raaga Vahini presented very popular Keerathanas.

Sunitha Dasari played an instrumental song on her Sitar. Viju Chiluveru, the founder-coordinator of Maitri, spoke about how he got closer to the music of Balakrishna Prasad Garu. Sandhya Chiluveru thanked all the attendees and artists for their unconditional contribution to the organization. Narayana Swamy’s help setting up the audio system was much appreciated.

Attendees from different communities at the event included Raghava Tadavarthy, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Subbarao Maddali, past Chairman; Venky Gadde, past President of the Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA); and Ratnakar Elugunti, past President of the Greater Atlanta Telangana Society (GATeS).

If you know a visiting parent or a senior living in the metro Atlanta area who wishes to join the Maitri group, contact the coordinator Viju Chiluveru at [email protected] or call (678) 557-7468.