Sri Sri (writer)

Telugu poet and lyricist (1910–1983)

Sri Sri

Sri Sri

Born|

Srirangam Srinivasa Rao

(1910-04-30)30 April 1910

Visakhapatnam, Madras Presidency, British India
(present-day Andhra, India)

Died| 15 June 1983(1983-06-15) (aged 73)[1]

Madras, Tamil Nadu, India

Spouse(s)| Venkata Ramanamma, Saroja

Srirangam Srinivasa Rao (30 April 1910 – 15 June 1983), popularly known as Sri Sri, was an Indian poet and lyricist who is known for his works in Telugu literature and films. Noted for his anthology Maha Prasthanam, Sri Sri is a recipient of a National Film Award, a Nandi Award and a Sahitya Akademi Award.

He was a member of Pen India, Sahitya Academy, vice-president of the South Indian Film Writers Association, Madras and president of the Revolutionary Writers Association of Andhra.[2][3]

## Life

[edit]

Srirangam Srinivasa Rao, popularly known as Sri Sri, was born into a Telugu speaking family[4] on 30 April 1910 in Visakhapatnam of present-day Andhra Pradesh.[5] His parents were Pudipeddi Venkatramaniah and Atappakonda but was later adopted by Srirangam Suryanarayana. Sri Sri was schooled at Vishakhapatnam and graduated in BA hons at Madras christian college in 1931. He started as a demonstrator at SVS College, Vizag in 1935 and joined as sub-editor at the daily, Andhra Prabha in 1938. He later worked at Delhi Akashavani, The State of Hyderabad, and the daily Andhra Vani, in various positions.[1] He later married Sarojini, with whom he had a son and three daughters, whose names were Mala Srinivasarao, Venkat Srinivasarao, Manjula Srinivasarao, Mangala Srinivasarao. One of his daughter is serving as a Judge of Madras High Court.

## Literary career

[edit]

Srirangam Srinivasa Rao was the first true modern Telugu poet to write about contemporary issues that affected the day-to-day life of a common man in a style and metre which were not used in classical Telugu poetry. He moved poetry forward from traditional mythological themes to reflect more contemporary issues. The essence of his personality was captured by Gudipati Venkatachalam when he compared him with the great romantic Telugu poet Devulapalli Krishnasastri: “While Krishna Sastry made his anguish known to the whole world, Sri Sri spoke in his voice about the anguish of the whole world. Krishna Sastry's pain was the pain of the world, while the world's pain became Sri Sri's pain.”[6] His book Maha Prasthanam (The Great Journey), an anthology of poems, is one of his major works. In one of the poems, "Jagannathuni Ratha Chakralu", Sri Sri addressed those who were suffering due to social injustices and said, "Don't cry, don't cry. The wheels of the chariot of Jagannath are coming; they are coming! The apocalyptic chant of the chariot wheels! Come, realize your dreams Rule your new world!"[7] "Other major works include Siprali and Khadga Srushti ("Creation of the Sword").[8]

## Telugu cinema

[edit]

He entered into Telugu cinema with Ahuti (1950), a Telugu-dubbed version of Junnarkar's Neera aur Nanda (1946). Some of the songs, such as "Hamsavale O Padava", "Oogisaladenayya", "Premaye jannana marana leela", scored by Saluri Rajeswara Rao, were major hits.[9] Sri Sri was a screenwriter for several Telugu films. He was one of the best film songwriters in India, he has penned lyrics for over 1000 soundtracks in Telugu. He was a great asset to the Telugu film industry.

## Literary style

[edit]

He is a major radical poet (e.g. Prabhava) and novelist (e.g. Veerasimha Vijayasimhulu). He introduced free verse into his socially concerned poetry through Maha Prasthanam. He wrote visionary poems in a style and metre not used before in Telugu classical poetry.

According to Viplava Rachayitala Sangham leader G. Kalyan Rao, Sri Sri was a scientist, a thinker and a philosopher. Maoist ideologue and writer Varavara Rao opined that Sri Sri not only wrote poetry but also practiced what he said.[10]

## Work for human rights

[edit]

Sri Sri was the first President of Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee that was formed in 1974.[11]

## Awards and recognitions

[edit]

### National honours

[edit]

* Sahithya Academy Award – 1972
* Soviet Land Nehru Award

### Film awards

[edit]

* National Film Award for Best Lyrics – Alluri Seetarama Raju for "Telugu Veera Levara" – 1974[12]
* Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Neti Bharatam – "Ardha Raatri Swatantram Andhakara Bandhuram" – 1983[13]

### Other honours

[edit]

* Raja-Lakshmi Award in 1979 by Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation in Chennai

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Prabhava (1928)
* Vaaram Vaaram (1946)
* Sampangi Thota (1947)
* Maha Prasthanam (1950)
* Amma (1952)
* Meemee (1954)
* Maro Prapancham (1956)
* Three Cheers for Man (1956)
* Charama Raathri (1957)
* Maanavudi Paatlu (1958)
* Sowdamini
* Gurajada (1959)
* Moodu Yebhailu (1964)
* Khadga Srushti (1966)
* Views and Reviews (1969)
* Sri Sri Sahityam (5 volumes) (1970)
* Sri Sri's Minnelani (1970)
* Rekka Vippina Revolution (1971)
* Vyasa Kreedalu (1973)
* Maro Moodu Yabhailu (1974)
* China Yaanam (1980)
* Maro Prasthanam (1980)
* Mahaa Prasthanam (1981)
* Paadavoyi Bharateeyuda (1983)
* New Frontiers (1983)
* Anantam
* Pra-Ja

## Filmography

[edit]

Year  | Film  | Song

|
|

1956  | Ilavelupu | Challani raja... O chandamama(చల్లని రాజా... ఓ చందమామా)
1958  | Mangalya Balam | Vadina pule vikasinchene (వాడిన పూలే వికసించెనే)
1959  | Jayabheri | nanduni charitamu vinuma
1959  | Sabhash Ramudu | jayammu nischayammura
1961  | Bharya Bharthalu | joruga husharuga
1961  | Iddaru Mitrulu | padavela radhika..
1961  | Vagdanam | Sri Nagaja Tanayam
1961  | Velugu Needalu | Padavoyi Bharateeyudaa (పాడవోయి భారతీయుడా)
Kala kaanidi viluvainadi (కలకానిది విలువైనది)
O.. rangayyo pula rangayyo
1962  | Aradhana | na hrudayamlo nidurinche chelee..
1963  | Nartanasala | evvari kosam ee mandahasam
1963  | Punarjanma | evarivo.. neevevarivo
1963  | Paruvu Pratishta | A mabbu terala lona daagundi (sad)
1964  | Dr. Chakravarthi | manasuna manasai
1964  | Gudi Gantalu | neelona nanne nilipevu nede
1964  | Bobbili Yuddham | muripinche andhaale
1964  | Manchi Manishi | rananukunnavemo
1964  | Sabhash Suri | devudiki emi
1965  | Preminchi Chudu | dorikaaru doragaaru..
1966  | Atma Gouravam | valapulu virisina puvvule
1969  | Atmeeyulu | kallalo pelli pandiri
1969  | Manushulu Marali | turupu sindhurapu..
1972  | Kalam Marindi | mara ledule ee kalam
1973  | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | Devudu Chesina Manushulara
1973  | Desoddharakulu | madi madi.. suchi suchi
1974  | Alluri Seetharama Raju | Telugu veera levara (National Award Winning Song)
1974  | Bhoomi Kosam | evaro vastarani
1975  | Balipeetam | kalasi padudaam
1975  | Devudu Lanti Manishi | kandalu
1976  | Kolleti Kapuram | iddarame
1976  | Paadi Pantalu | pani chese raitanna
1976  | Ramarajyamlo Raktapatam | ivvala randi
1977  | Prema Lekhalu | ee roju
1977  | Oorummadi Brathukulu | Sramaika Jeevana Soundaryaniki Samanamainadi Lene Ledoyi
1977  | Yamagola | samaraniki nede prarambham
1978  | Karunamayudu | devudu ledani anakunda
1979  | Gorintaku | ilaga vachhi
1979  | Kaliyuga Mahabharatam | ee samaram
1980  | Ammayiki Mogudu Mamaki Yamudu | chudara.. Telugu sodara
1980  | Sardar Papa Rayudu | burrakatha on Alluri Seetharama Raju
1981  | Aakali Rajyam | Oo Mahatma
1982  | Eenadu | randi kadali randi
1982  | Manchu Pallaki | manishe manideepam
1982  | Viplava Sankham | Muyinchina oka veeruni kanthamm, Kontamandi Kurravallu
1983  | Neti Bharatam | ardha ratri swatantram
1984  | Maha Prasthanam | maro prapancham pilichindi

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Thanjavur, Kiran Kumar (15 June 2020). "మహాకవి 'శ్రీశ్రీ' వర్థంతి.. ఆయన గురించి ఈ నిజాలు తెలుసా." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
2. ^ Chaso Dolls Wedding & Other Stories – Page xii introduction by Renee David Shulman, 194, Cāsō – 2012 "But Vizianagaram in the mid-twentieth century was also home to other literati including the most famous poet in modern Telugu, Sri Sri (Srirangam Srinivasa Rao); Arudra, historian of Telugu literature, literary critic and poet; and Racakonda Visvanatha Sastri, the short-story writer whose statue you can find on the Visakhapatnam beach...."
3. ^ Dictionary of Hindu Literature Kuśa Satyendra – 2000 – Page 175 "Sriniwasaraw Srirangam (b 1910 Visakhapatnam). Telugu poet. Sri Sri, as he is popularly known, wrote his first poem at ..."
4. ^ Srihari, Gudipoodi (2 January 1910). "In memory of Sri Sri". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
5. ^ "The eternal fragrance of Mahakavi Sri Sri". The New Indian Express. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
6. ^ Mahaprasthanam, Telugu Book, published by Vishalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad, June 1950 Pages 7-12
7. ^ Pages 93 to 99 of Mahaprasthanam Telugu Book Published in 1950 by Vishalandhra Publications
8. ^ T. Venkata Rao (16 September 2006). "Portrait of a revolutionary". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
9. ^ Mahakavi Sri Sri : Makers of Indian Literature, Budaraju Radhakrishna, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, 3rd edition, 2006. (ISBN 81-260-0719-2)
10. ^ "Sri Sri's prose reflects his sincerity: Virasam leader". The Hindu. 2 May 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
11. ^ "History of Naxalism". 9 May 2003. Archived from the original on 14 August 2016.
12. ^ "22nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Retrieved 29 August 2012.
13. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. 13 March 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Sri Sri at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

National Film Award for Best Lyrics

1968–1980|

* Kannadasan (1968)
* Kaifi Azmi (1969)
* - (1970)
* - (1971)
* Vayalar Ramavarma (1972)
* - (1973)
* Sri Sri (1974)
* - (1975)
* - (1976)
* - (1977)
* - (1978)
* - (1979)
* - (1980)

1981–2000|

* - (1981)
* - (1982)
* - (1983)
* Vasant Dev (1984)
* Vairamuthu (1985)
* - (1986)
* Gulzar (1987)
* O. N. V. Kurup (1988)
* Satarupa Sanyal (1989)
* Gulzar (1990)
* K. S. Narasimhaswamy (1991)
* Vairamuthu (1992)
* Veturi (1993)
* Vairamuthu (1994)
* Amit Khanna (1995)
* Javed Akhtar (1996)
* Javed Akhtar (1997)
* Javed Akhtar (1998)
* Vairamuthu (1999)
* Yusufali Kechery and Javed Akhtar (2000)

2001–2020|

* Javed Akhtar (2001)
* Vairamuthu (2002)
* Suddala Ashok Teja (2003)
* Pa. Vijay (2004)
* Baraguru Ramachandrappa (2005)
* Swanand Kirkire (2006)
* Prasoon Joshi (2007)
* Anindya Chatterjee and Chandril Bhattacharya (2008)
* Swanand Kirkire (2009)
* Vairamuthu (2010)
* Amitabh Bhattacharya (2011)
* Prasoon Joshi (2012)
* Na. Muthukumar (2013)
* Na. Muthukumar (2014)
* Varun Grover (2015)
* Vairamuthu and Anupam Roy (2016)
* J. M. Prahlad (2017)
* Manjunatha S. Reddy (2018)
* Prabha Varma (2019)
* Manoj Muntashir (2020)

2021–present|

* Chandrabose (2021)
* Naushar Sadar Khan (2022)
* Kasarla Shyam (2023)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States

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