HYDERABAD: Venkat Garikapati, the chief recovery manager at the State Bank of India, Nampally was awarded the Sri Krishna Puraskaram by the Cultural Organization of twin cities, Sri Krishna Swara Raga Sravanthi for his contribution as an Annamayya scholar, essayist, poet and commenter. Well-known for his analysis of the Tallapaka Pada Sahityam, the scholar gave a discourse on the sacred 14th century lyrics during the function.
Venkat’s works Annamayya Sankeerthana Ratnakaram and Annamayya Sankeerthana Sudhakaram have been very popular throughout the state. The latter is in its fourth edition currently. The felicitation program was chaired by Vijaya Babu, editor, Andhra Prabha while eminent poet, Gnanpeeth awardee Dr C Narayana Reddy was the chief guest. Shobha Naidu, Kuchipudi Natya guru and Shailaja Suman, director, Doordarshan also graced the occasion as special guests at the event that was hosted at the Thyagaraya Gana Sabha.