Sri Kari Kurmanadhacharyulu (March 6th, 1957 – June 11th, 2013) was an eminent, renowned Indian Carnatic Vocalist, Musician and Composer. He was born in the city of Vijayawada to Sri Krishna Swamy and Smt. Lakshmi Narasamma. Kurmanadh started his music career at the age of 8 years with the foundation laid down by his mother who was from a music family. Observing his interest in music, his father put him under the tutelage of Sri Pemmaraju Surya Rao and MV Ramanamurthy who were then working as music lecturers in Government Music College of Vijayawada. There, Kurmanadh successfully completed his Music Diploma.

          Besides, he completed his Matriculation as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. Thereafter, under the guidance of Sri Pemmaraju Suryarao, the young Kurmanadh learnt several compositions and techniques of Carnatic music and presented several full-pledged musical concerts in various parts of India such as Thiruvayoor, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi etc.

         After his training period he worked for 5 years as a Music Faculty in Singareni collieries High School, Khammam District, Telangana. During that period, he got married to “Lakshmi”, the second daughter of Sri S.T.P.V. Kurmacharyulu the then Member of Legislative Council. They have three daughters Vasantha Lakshmi(Carnatic Vocalist &Violinist), Koumudi(Carnatic Vocalist&Classical Dancer), Yamini Krishna(Carnatic and Hindustani Vocalist) who are respectively walking in their father’s foot steps keeping up the family tradition in music alive.

          Having begun his musical career at a very young age, in 1984, he got a chance to work as a supportive vocalist in Vidyaranya government college of Music and Dance, Warangal, Telangana. There, he became expertized in sophisticated vocal singing and in composition with the support found from the then Principal of that college Sri Aakella Mallikarjuna Sharma. Kurmanadh represented several musical programs that were organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the State government of Andhra Pradesh. He gave most of his memorable musical concerts in Sri Thyagaraja Aradhanotsav administered by Vijayawada Sangeetha Sanmandali. He arranged the music for Asta Lakshmi Vaibhavam, Venakateswara Vaibhavam etc compilations of Annanmaacharya created by Sri PLN Prasad. 

          Later on, these compositions were streamed by All India Radio Station, Warangal. Not only these but he also made compositions for some other dance presentations such as Ganga Gowri Samvadam, Bhakta Prahlada etc. Kurmanadh during a event at Sarva Vaidika Samstanam, Yagna Varaha Kshetram, Kareemnagar composed some keertanas on Lord Yagna Varaha Swamy. For that rendition, the managing committee of that Samstanam honored Kurmanadh with a appellation “Kala Vachaspathi”. 

         He served for 22 years as a Music lecturer in the Warangal Music College and afterwards transferred to Ghantasala College of Music and Dance, Vijayawada under the behest of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Later, he continued his employment as a music lecturer in Vijaya Shankara College of Music and Dance, Rajamundry. During that period, as per the instructions of H.H.H. Tridandi Sri Rangaramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji he composed the music for the telugu translations for the Tamil verses of Sri Nammalwar compiled as Nalaayira Divya Prabhandam. These compositions which were made performed as dance presentations in Kalabharathi of Visakapatnam overwhelmed the audience with devotion.

       As a music teacher, he raised more than 200 number of his Students in music who are currently working for various Government and Non-government Organizations and simultaneously spreading the art of music. Some of his students who are renowned musicians are Smt. M. Prasanna, Smt. Niveditha, Sri Vijay Kumar etc. Sri Kari Kurmanadhacharyulu who relentlessely served the Indian Traditional music, finally attained the Divine Salvation on June 11, 2013. He performed his duties extremely well as a father, husband, teacher, musician, composer even during his last days. Though he handled tough situations sometimes, he used to love and devote his profession and his art of music in a humble way.