Writers & poets played an important role in the Telangana movement. Different literary forms such as stories, poems, novels, essays and songs played an important role in molding the people’s wish as a movement and to spread the ideology among people.
- Let us know some important poets, singers and artists who played an important role in the Telangana movement.
Goreti Venkanna:
- Goreti Venkanna is widely recognized as “Praja Kavi” or People’s Poet.
- He was born in Gouraram village, located in the Telkapally mandal of Nagarkurnool district.
- Among his notable works are Alessandra Vanka and Rela Puthalu.
- Venkanna initially secured employment in the Co-operative Department during his college years, though he only worked there briefly.
- His career took a significant turn after being inspired by the speeches of Jakka Venkataiah and Puchalapalli Sundaraiah, which led him to embrace Communist ideology and literature. He was particularly influenced by “Mitra Shashi” and the OgguRole of Writers, Poets, Intellectuals stories of “Adavi Bidda.”
Notable Songs by Goreti Venkanna:
- “Relaadhulaa thalellade Nelaa Na Telangana” (Land of Telangana Unshaken by Storms).
- “Palle Kanneru Pedutundo – Kanipinchani Kutrala” (Do the Villages Shed Tears – Unseen Conspiracies).
- “Jai Bholo Amaraveerula Jai Bholo” (Praise the Eternal Heroes, Praise).
- “Iddaram Vidipothe Bhoomi Baddhalavu- thundha” (Will the Earth Shatter if We Both Part?).
Nandini Sidda Reddy:
- Nandini Sidda Reddy hails from Siddipet district and has made significant contributions to Telugu literature, earning his M.Phil and Ph.D. in the field.
- He is a professional lecturer.
- His M.Phil thesis was titled “Adhunika Telugu Kavitvam lo Suryudu” (The Sun in Modern Telugu Poetry).
- His Ph.D. research focused on “Adhunika Telugu Kavitvam Vasthava Katha – Aadhivasthavikatha” (Reality and Surreality in Modern Telugu Poetry).
- His father, Narra Bala Sidha Reddy, was a prominent figure in the Telangana Armed Struggle.
Notable Songs by Nandini Sidda Reddy:
- “Nageti Salalo – Na Telangana” (This song won the Nandi Award in 2010).
- “Joharulu Joharulu….Amarula Joharulu, Veerulaku Joharulu” (Salutes to the immortal and brave heroes).
- “Pudamiki Panduga Puvvula Jatara” (A festival of flowers for the land).
- “Oka Puvvu Oka Navvu” (A flower, a smile).
- “Telangana Matti…. Thyagalaku Patti” (The soil of Telangana, bound to sacrifices).
Gaddar:
- Gaddar, whose real name is Gummadi Vittal Rao, is often referred to as “Praja Yudanaka” (Warrior of the People).
- He chose the name “Gadar” in homage to the pre-independence Ghadar Party that resisted British colonial rule, which later became his adopted name.
- Gaddar was born in Toopran, Medak district.
Notable Songs by Gaddar:
- “Amma Telanganama – Akali Kekala Ganama” (Mother Telangana – The Song of Hunger).
- “Podustunna Poddumeeda – Nadustunna Kalama, Poru Telanganama” (The movement is marching forward, Fight for Telangana).
- “Apara Rikshoda” (This was the first song written by Gadar).
- “Nee Padam Meeda Puttumachchanai Chellamma” (from the movie Orey Riksha).
- “Lal Salam…Lal Salam” (Red Salute).
- “Na Thalli Telangana …Thiraga badda Veena” (My Mother Telangana – The Struggling Veena).
- “Poddu Tirugudu Puvvu Poddunu Muddade Tholi Poddu Muddade…” (The first dawn flowers bloom, the very first dawn blossoms…).
Ande Sri:
- Ande Sri, originally named Ande Yellaiah, hails from Revathi Village in Warangal district.
- He is the lyricist behind the Telangana State song, “Jaya Jaya he Telangana Janani Jaya Ketanam.”
Notable Songs by Ande Sri:
- “Mayamai Pothunnadamma Manishannavaadu” (The human essence is fading away).
- “Chudu Telangana Chukka neelu Lenidana…” (Look, Telangana lacks dewdrops).
- “Uru Telangana Na Peru Telangana” (My name is Telangana, my village Telangana).
- “Palle neeku vandanalamma” (Salutations to you, village mother).
- “Parigethu na pata Prajala nota…” (My song races on the people’s lips).
- “Komma Chekkite Bommara… Kolichi Mokkithe Ammara…” (If you bend a branch, it becomes a toy… If you break it, it’s destroyed).
- “Jana Jataralo mana geetham Jaya kethanamai yegarali…” (Let our song soar as a victory banner in the people’s gathering).
- “Gallu gallu gallu Anna lara! Ma Akka Lara…” (Come, come, come, my brother! My sister!).
- “Gala gala gala gajjala Bandi… Yelli pothunnava thalli” (The cart clatters along, where are you heading, mother?).
Kaloji Narayana Rao (1914-2002):
- Kaloji Narayana Rao was born on September 9, 1914, in Gattahalli village, Bijapur district, Karnataka state.
- His family later moved and settled in Madikonda, Warangal district.
- His original name was Raghuveer Narayana Laxmikantha Srinivas Rao.
- The Telangana government has designated his birthday, September 9th, as “Telangana Language Day” in recognition of his efforts to promote the Telangana dialect.
- Kaloji played a pivotal role in emphasizing the importance of the Telangana dialect and its cultural significance.
- In 1953, he served as the President of the “Telangana Rachayita Ka Sangam.”
Literary Works by Kaloji:
- “Naa Godava” (My Protest) – 1953
- “Parthiva Nyayam” (Justice of the Land)
- “Anna Kathalu” (Stories of Food)
- “Jeevana Geethi” (Song of Life)
- “Maname Nayam” (Regarding the attack on animals)
- “Vibhuti” (Regarding criticizing modernization)
Guda Anjaiah (1955 – 2016):
- Guda Anjaiah was born in 1955 in Lingampally village, Dandepalli Mandal, Adilabad district.
- He worked professionally as a pharmacist.
- From the 1969 Telangana movement through the later phases, he communicated the injustices faced by Telangana through his songs.
Literary Works by Guda Anjaiah:
- “Dalitha Kathalu” (Compilation of Stories)
- “Polimera” (Novel)
- Guda Anjaiah also wrote and performed a drama titled “Girijan Mahila Meluko.”