Noted poet, writer, lyricist and Jnanpeeth awardee Dr C Narayana Reddy, 86, popularly known as "Cinaare", passed away this morning.
Noted poet, writer, lyricist and Jnanpeeth awardee Dr C Narayana Reddy, 86, popularly known as "Cinaare", passed away this morning. He leaves behind his wife and four daughters, besides a host of admirers from all walks of life.
Son of a farmer couple Malla Reddy and Buchamma, Narayana Reddy was born in Hanumajipet of Karimnagar district on July 29, 1931. He completed his primary education in the village, and his high school in the Urdu medium. Even his intermediate education in Chadharghat school and BA degree from Osmania University were in the Urdu medium. Later, he completed his post graduation in Telugu literature, and also secured his doctorate from Osmania University.
Reddy first served as a lecturer in the Secunderabad Arts and Science College, and later taught in Nizam College. He eventually became the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University, and earned a lot of kudos and awards in the position.
However, it was his parallel career as a writer and poet in the field of Telugu literature that earned him name and fame globally. He received the prestigious Jnanpeeth Award in 1988 - after Viswanatha Satyanarayana, he was the second person to receive the award for Telugu literature. In 1977 he also received the Padma Sri award, and later the Padma Bhushan award. The President also nominated him to the Rajya Sabha in 1977. Reddy also authored many books, and his publications were translated into English, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam and Kannada. His poems and couplets in Hindi and Urdu, too, were well-received and appreciated.
Most of his fame however came from the movies. Narayana Reddy had over 3,500 film songs to his credit. It was late N T Rama Rao, who wielded the megaphone in his hit film Gulebakavali Katha in 1962, that gave Narayana Reddy his break as a lyricist. He wrote all the songs in the film, including the popular "Nannu Dochukonduvate Vannela Dorasani" pictured on NTR and Jamuna. He was known for his use of Telugu in its pure form, and would not be swayed by filmmakers' demands.
Reddy had been ailing for some time, and was undergoing treatment in Care Hospital where he breathed his last after a massive stroke this morning. The news about his sudden demise shocked all people in the literature, academic, films, political and other fields. Scores of people made a beeline to his residence to pay their homage and respects to the departed poet.
Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Ministers K Chandrashekar Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu, ministers, political leaders and film personalities conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.