Paying our last respects for the noted lyricist with some lesser-known facts
Noted Telugu lyricist and writer Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry is no more. The lyricist breathed his last on Tuesday while battling pneumonia at a private hospital in Secunderabad. He was 66 and is survived by his wife and two sons. The sudden demise of Seetharama Sastry plunged the world of Telugu cinema into tragedy. Messages and condolences pour in, as they remember the writer. Sastry left his literary mark on Telugu cinema. It’s a huge loss to the industry. As we are paying our last respects, here are some lesser-known facts about Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry:
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Born as Chembolu Seetharama Sastry
Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry was born as Chembolu Seetharama Sastry on May 20, 1955, in Anakapalle, Visakhapatnam to Dr CB Yogi and Subbalakshmi. He completed his schooling at the Municipal School in Anakapalle. He completed intermediate in Kakinada, East Godavari district. He then joined an MBBS in Andhra Medical College. But due to financial difficulties, he discontinued the MBBS and joined in Master of Arts (MA) at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.
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Clever student
During his college days, he mastered in literature. He also played an active role in the RSS. As a student, he was very clever and a genius. Sastry had been accustomed to writing informative and patriotic songs since childhood. Later, he joined the BSNL branch in Anakapalle, Visakhapatnam. He also wrote and sang his own songs at many events.
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Entry into the film industry
During his employment, Seetharama Sastry wrote poetry under his pen name 'Bharani'. The poem came to the attention of the director Kalathapasvi K Vishwanath. He was really impressed and called Sastry and gave him the opportunity to write a song for the film 'Janani Janmabhoomi', starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sumalatha, Satyanarayana and Sharada. Sastry penned a song titled Tadisina Andalalo for the film.
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Big break
After the success of 'Janani Janmabhoomi', Seetharama Sastry was given the opportunity to write all the songs in the film 'Sirivennela' directed by Vishwanath. Sastry took advantage of that opportunity and had penned the most meaningful and soulful songs for 'Sirivennela', which is one of the classics of Telugu cinema. Songs like "Vidatha Talapuna", "Adibhikshuvu Vadinedi Koredhi", "Ee Gali Ee Nela", from the movie have remained as evergreen classics. He got the moniker "Sirivennela" after the huge success of the film. As he got instant fame and critical appreciation from all over, his name caught on as 'Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry'.
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Over 3,000 songs in 800 movies
Holding a record of writing lyrics for over 3,000 songs till 2020, Seetharama Sastry is known for his philosophical approach in his songs. Sastry wrote lyrics for many songs in films like 'Swayam Krushi', 'Swarna Kamalam', 'Samsaram Oka Chadarangam', and 'Pelli Chesi Choodu' made him one of the finest writers of Telugu cinema. The other popular films he wrote songs for are Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Sammohanam, Mahanati, Gautamiputra Satakarni, etc.
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Awards and honours
The 66 year-old-lyricist have received 11 state Nandi Awards and four Filmfare Awards South for his contribution to the entertainment industry. He is honoured with the Lifetime achievement award in January 2012. Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to the field of arts and aesthetics. He also won several prestigious awards as the Best Lyricist.
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