Shobha Raju

Shobha Raju
Born	November 30, 1957 (1957-11-30) (age 53) Vayalpadu, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh

Dr. Shobha Raju (born 30th November 1957) is an Indian musician, devotional singer, writer and composer, known as an exponent of sankirtana of the gospel of the 15th century saint-composer, Annamacharya.^[1]

She was awarded the Padma Shri by Government of India for her contributions to arts in 2010. ^[2]

She is the founder of “Annamacharya Bhavana Vahini”(ABV) in 1983 with the motto: “Eradication of Thought-Pollution through Divine Music”. This institute has trained over fifteen thousand students, most into professional singers, and is quickly growing towards her vision of a Music University where her students of music are also trained with Yoga, Meditation, Naturopathy and Philosophy to grow within. With land contribution from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, this project now continues to take shape into an extended auditorium and a temple for Sri Annamacharya.

Career

Whilst composing her own songs at the age of 4, to cutting her first gramophone record and becoming an All India Radio Artiste at the age of 16, to being awarded the prize at national level competitions at the age of 17, she has been constantly trained under various music masters such as Sri Nedunuri Krishna Murthy and Mrs. Rajyalakshmi in music, Mr. R.G.Narayana Raju for spirituality amongst many others. Dr. Shobha is the first recipient of TTD’s scholarship in 1976 to study and set a trend for the propagation of Annamacharya’s compositions, and was also chosen as the first exclusive artiste for the propagation of Annamacharya’s compositions in 1978. Her first audio album, “Venkateswara Geeta Malika” is globally popular among Telugu community.

Apart from serving as Project Officer for “Rama Rasa Vahini”, a music-based project in Endowments Dept, sponsored by Bhadrachalam Devasthanam ; authoring books such as “Srihari Padartham”, “Peda Tirumalayya Parichayam”; her various projects in the field of music and culture include: National Level Music Competitions to encourage youth, organization of the anniversaries of Annamacharya; discovering and publishing 39 compositions of Annamayya as the “Annamayya Gupta Sankeertanadhanam”; “Shanti Sankeertanam” to enlighten people against the acts of terrorism; “Nagara Sankeertana”, singing in processions for spiritual awareness; , stage concerts and presentation of “Sankeertanaushadham” (Therapeutic Music Programs) for the benefit of patients in the hospitals both at India and abroad; self-scripted musical feature, “Annamayya Katha”; presentation of “Upashamana Sankeertana” which is a special program for the relief of the prisoners; writing the story, script, screenplay, dialogues, music, and directing a tele-serial, “Sri Annamacharya”; application of “Swarayoga” which is a special program for the personality development; annual “Vaggeyakarotsavams” of 1983 celebrated in national level; etc amongst many others, all of which transcend the listeners to a blissful and peaceful world. She played a pivotal role in getting the Postal Dept of Govt. of India to release the postage stamp of Annamacharya in Annamayyapuram.

Biography

Sobha Raju was born on 30th November 1957 at Vayalpadu, Chittoor District, A.P. Her father R.G. Narayana Raju, a retired Deputy Collector was a native of Tirumala Reddypalle, Chitoor Dist. and her first spiritual mentor, while her mother Smt. Rajyalakshmi, was her first music teacher in Music.

He did her B.A. with History, Economics & Music from Sri. Padmavathi Women's College, Tirupati, A. P.

She is married to Dr. S. Nanda Kumar, who resigned the post of Project Executive in National Dairy Development Board to support her mission.

She received her training in music from teachers like, Mr. Pullaiah, Mr. D. Seshagiri Rao, Mr. Pakala Munirathnam, Mr Tiruttani Krishnamurthy, Prof. Kalpakam, and Dr. Nedunuri Krishnamurthy.

Spiritual Masters: She is greatly inspired by the teachings of Sri Ramakrishana Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda.Swami Paramahamsa Yoganandaji's teaching have a tremendous influence on her.The holy company of H.H. Swamy Chinmayyanandaji, H.H. Swami Dayanandaji, H.H.Sri Swamy Vidya Prakasanandaji, and Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba helped a great deal in moulding her personality. She used to sing Bhajans and recite Bhagawad Geeta during their discourses

Multifaceted Personality

WRITER: Dr. Shobha Raju is also a writer. She has written many stories and articles which were published by the popular magazines and papers like Andhra Prabha, Swathi, Andhra Bhoomi etc. She is also the author of a few booklets like “Sripadartham” (Commentaries to Annamayya Compositions), “Pedatirumalayya Parichayam” etc.

POETESS: She has been composing many songs and poetry pieces right from her childhood. Her compositions are bought out into audio albums by different audio companies and temples.

ORATOR: She is much sought after person as a guest to various functions and her speeches are very well appreciated.

Music Composer: Dr. Shobha Raju has been a well acclaimed music composer. Different audio companies have brought out her albums for which she herself set the music. She is also the music director for the Tele serial “Sri Annamacharya”.

She is the Director of many video programs, including the Tele serial “Sri Annamacharya”. She is an organizer of many events and festivals.

Awards and recognition

Dr. Shobha Raju is a recipient of several acclaimed awards in the field of art, culture and music. These include: “Annamayya Pada Kokila” by Telugu Association of North America; “Sankeertana Praveena” by Telugu Kala Samithi, Kuwait in 2000; Paidi Lakshmiah Merit Award; “Ugadi Puraskar” by Madras Telugu Academy; “Smt Ravoori Kanthamma Bharadwaja Award”; “ANR Swarna Kankanam”; “Abhinava Annamayya” by Telugu Association of North Texas; “Out Standing Woman Award” by NTR Trust; “Out Standing Woman Award” by Mahila Congress on the eve of Indira Gandhi’s birthday; amongst many more. Apart from her graduation from Sri Padmavathi Womens’ College of Tirupati, she has also been awarded an Honourary Doctorate from P.S. Telugu University; has been honored as “Asthana Vidushi” by the Dwaraka Tirumala Devasthanam, India; The India Cultural center & Temple, Memphis,TN,USA; nominated as a member on the South Zone Cultural Centre & South Central Zone Cultural Center in 1985; a member on the advisory panel of regional ICCR; and serving many years as Advisor, Annamacharya Project, TTD.

References

1. ^ "Metro cultural round-up". The Hindu. Jun 14, 2004. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/06/14/stories/2004061401920200.htm. 
2. ^ "This Year's Padma Awards announced" (Press release). Ministry of Home Affairs. 25 January 2010. http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=57307. Retrieved 17 July 2010. 

External links

• annamayya.org