One of the best-known Telugu film lyricists, "Sirivennela" Seetharama Sastry, has passed into the ages.
One of the best-known Telugu film lyricists, "Sirivennela" Seetharama Sastry, has passed into the ages.
He was 66.
The poet and writer was admitted to KIMS in Secunderabad for lung-related issues on November 24, and died today.
The death was said to be due to lung-cancer-related complications.
Film industry professionals from the Telugu states and even the rest of the nation are condoling the demise of Sastry.
Ravi Teja, Ram Charan Tej, Prabhas, Prakash Raj, Allari Naresh, Sai Dharam Tej, Thaman, Rana Daggubati, Nithin, Sreenu Vaitla, Ram Pothineni, Akhil Akkineni and Adivi Sesh were among the early persons to post their condolences on Twitter.
Among politicians, KCR, K T Rama Rao, T Harish Rao, G Kishan Reddy, Satyavathi Rathod and Jayaprakash Narayan were among those who expressed their condolences.
Sastry (full name Chembolu Seeta Rama Sastry) was born in Anakapalle of Andhra Pradesh on May 20, 1955. He debuted in the Telugu film industry in 1984 at the age of 29, and very quickly rose to fame for his lyrics, specifically for the film Sirivennela (1986) directed by the legendary K Viswanath. The film won him a Nandi award for the song Adibhikshuvu, and became a part of his name forever.
He was prolific in the 1980s and early 1990s, and kept writing until this year (including for the upcoming RRR) even acted in a few movies. He won a large number of awards and honours, including 11 Nandi awards, 4 Filmfare South awards and the Padma Sri.