Lakkoju Sanjeevaraya Sharma

Sharma was born at Kalluru village of Proddatur mandal in Cuddapah district. His parents were Lakkoju Pedda Pullaiah and Nagamamba. He was born blind and had no formal education. He married Adilakshmamma at 19. He learnt mathematics when his sister recited what she learnt at school at home.

Sharma gave his first performance at Andhra Mahasabha at Nandyala on 15 November 1928, chaired by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was invited to New Delhi by Jawaharlal Nehru and performed before President Rajendra Prasad along with other dignitaries. He traveled widely and gave about 7,000 performances in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. One of his most memorable performances was on 7 December 1966 at Sri Krishna Devaraya Andhra Bhasha Nilayam.[2] He received many gold medals, honors and felicitations.

Sharma prepared an Indian Calendar extending 4,000 years.

Sharma was invited to visit the United States in 1993 by the Telugu community. He could not attend due to visa problems. Sri Venkateswara University honored him with a doctorate in 1996.

Sharma completed his life at Srikalahasti. He played the violin every evening at Kalahasteswara temple for an honorarium from the Devasthanam authorities.