Srirangam Srinivasarao

Srirangam Srinivasarao, who is lauded as the first truly modern poet of the Telugu literary world, is a poet and lyricist. The book readers know him for addressing contemporary issues via his writings. Srirangam Srinivasarao, more familiarly known as Sri Sri, was born on 30th April 1910 to Pudipeddi Venkatramaniah and Atappakonda, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. He started writing when he was seven years old. After completing his school education in Visakhapatnam, he moved to Chennai to pursue his college education in 1928. He finished his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Madras in 1931.

Srirangam Srinivasarao worked in a college as a demonstrator for some years before working as a sub-editor in Andhra Prabha. He even worked in All India Radio, the armed forces, and Andhra Vani. Unlike other poets, Srirangam Srinivasarao focussed on addressing the issues like inequality, injustice, oppression that were more prevalent back in the days in his poems. He voiced his opinions beautifully through his poetry without being biased and fearing others. Some of his works include Vaaram Vaaram, Maha Prasthanam, Amma, Maro Prapancham, Gurajada, Moodu Yebhailu, Vyasa Kreedalu, China Yaanam, and more. Maha Prasthanam is a compilation of all the poems he wrote between 1930 and 1940.

The readers consider the book a classic in the Telugu literary world as it took Srirangam Srinivasarao’s words to every household. He is the first modern poet because his words are more colloquial, making people easily understand the content. Srirangam Srinivasarao debuted as a lyricist in 1950 with the movie Ahuti. Composed by Saluri Rajeswara Rao and the lyrics written by Srirangam Srinivasarao, the songs became a hit. He wrote the song Challani Raja, from the movie Ilavelupu in 1956. Some of his films are Jayabheri, Vagdanam, Aradhana, Nartanasala, GudiGantalu, Manchi Manishi, Premichi Chudu, Bhoomi Kosam, Balipeetam, Yamagola, Eenadu, and more.

He has written lyrics for over a thousand songs in his thirty-plus years of being a lyricist. In 1974, Srirangam Srinivasarao received the 22nd National Award for Best Lyrics for the song Telugu Veera Levara from Alluri Seetharama Raju. For the second time, he won the National Award for Best Lyricist for penning the song Ardha Raatri Swatantra Andhakara Bandhuram from Neti Bharatam. Also, in recognition of his works, he received the Sahithya Academy Award in 1972. The poet left the world behind on 15th June 1983 in Chennai.