RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: The State government has come up with a plan to develop Sankaraguptam village in Malikipuram mandal of East Godavari district which is the birthplace of Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, in memory of the legendary Carnatic musician. A committee comprising Parakala
Prabhakar, Communications Advisor to AP government, Ghazal Srinivas and Abhiram, son of Balamuralikrishna, has been constituted for the purpose of developing Sankaraguptam in all aspects. A GO has already been issued in this regard. Principal Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena has directed the Director of Department of Language and Culture to oversee the implementation of the development project costing Rs 10 crore. Music lovers and people of Sankaraguptam have welcomed the decision taken by the government to develop the birthplace of Balamuralikrishna as a real tribute to the legendary musician.
Speaking to Express over phone, Ghazal Srinivas said: “We have grand plans to develop Sankaraguptam. A museum will be set up in the village as part of the development plan. The site for the museum has been identified. A bronze statue of Balamuralikrishna will be installed in the village.”
Ghazal Srinivas who is the Brand Ambassador for North America Telugu Society, said: “A bronze statue of Balamuralikrishna costing Rs 4 lakh has been made with the help of NATS. The statue will be shifted to Sankaraguptam soon for installation. The government has acquired the house of Balamuralikrishna where he was born on July 6, 1930, to develop it. The development project includes a museum, digital library, home theatre, guest house and other things.”
Elaborating further on the development project, he said: “We are planning to construct a small temple in the village in which the bust size statues of Balamuralikrishna and his wife will be installed. The idol of saint composer Tyagaraja Swamy will also be installed in it. The vicinity of the house will also be developed on the lines of a campus of a music academy.
The relatives of Balamuralikrishna have come forward to give their lands for the development project free of cost. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has evinced special interest in development of Sankaraguptam as a real tribute to the legendary musician. Mangalampalli Aradhanotsavalu on the lines of Tyagaraja Swamy Aradhanotsavalu will also be organised at Sankaraguptam to mark the birth (July 6) and death (November 22) anniversary of Balamuralikrishna every year.”
Parakala Prabhakar and Ghazal Srinivas will visit Sankaraguptam on September 23 to ensure that the dream project in memory of Balamuralikrishna takes shape soon.