Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya (22 May 1408 – 4 April 1503), also popularly known as Annamayya, was a musician, composer, and a Hindu saint. He is the earliest known Indian musician to compose songs called samkirtanas. His devotional samkirtanas were in the praise of Lord Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu. Annamayya is said to have composed as many as 32,000 samkirtanas (songs) in the praise of Sri Venkateswara of which only about 12,000 are available today. He wrote the highest number of Kirtanas of all time in the praise of Lord Vishnu. Annamacharya is remembered for his saintly life, as one of the greatest musicians and is honored as a great devotee of Vishnu by devotees and saintly singers. Several Carnatic Music and light m stalwarts have set to music to Annamacharya. Several rendered it and popularized those songs. His compositions are still popular among Carnatic music concert artists. Shiva Vishnu Temple of Livermore is celebrating his compositions in praise of Lord Venkateswara. His choice of words gives a mellifluous tone to his songs, charming the listener.
