Anand to enthral music lovers

Vijayawada: Amidst a galaxy of singers, well-known instrument players and mimicry artistes from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, popular playback singer G Anand is all set to enthral the city music lovers with a musical extravaganza ‘Gurthukosthunnayi’ commemorating the 45th anniversary of his orchestra Swara Madhuri at Tummalapallivari Kshetrayya Kalakshetram on Saturday from 5.40 pm, according to Andhra Pradesh Creativity and Culture Commission (APCCC) Chief executive officer D Vizai Bhaskar here on Friday.

He said the evening will showcase special songs in which famous rhythm player Chennai-based Lakshmi Narayana, who performs for AR Rehman and Ilayaraja, will create sound on instruments.

He said the five-hour-long programme organised by APCCC will witness as many as 25 singers, 50 instrumentalists and technicians belting out both old and new Telugu songs. All these entertainers will also be felicitated by the organising committee.

Singer Anand said that he started the orchestra in Chennai in 1972 and so far performed 7,044 stage shows both in India and abroad. “Music director Koti will be the chief guest, along with Saluri Vasu Rao and Sai Karthik, both established composers.

He said the event would feature singers like Anjana Sowmya, Parthasarathi, Praveen and Pavan, perform along with yesteryear singers like Jyothi Ramakrishna, Savitri and G Sujata, who were part of the orchestra right from the formative years.

He said the programme apart from showcasing the talent of the singers will bring to the fore the expertise of the instrumentalists as well. A native of Srikakulam district, Anand shot to fame with Oka Venuvu Vinipinchenu from ‘America Ammayi’ in 1976 under the baton of GK Venkatesh.