Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
Born	Chembolu Seetharama Sastry (1955-05-20)20 May 1955 Anakapalli,Andhra State, India
Died	30 November 2021(2021-11-30) (aged 66) Secunderabad, Telangana, India
Occupation(s)	Lyricist, poet, singer
Years active	1984–2021
Honours	Padma Shri (2019)

Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry (bornChembolu Seetharama Sastry; 20 May 1955 – 30 November 2021) was an Indian poet andlyricist known for his works inTelugu cinema andTelugu theatre.^[1][2] He acquired thestage name Sirivennela after writing the lyrics for the 1986 film ofsame name. Sastry has garnered several awards including elevenNandi Awards and sixFilmfare Awards South for his work the most by any south Indian lyricist. He had penned lyrics for over 3,000 songs until 2020. In 2019, he was awarded thePadma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, for his contributions to the field of arts and aesthetics.^[3]

Seetharama Sastry was born on 20 May 1955 inAnakapalli inAndhra Pradesh.^[1] He spent his early years inKakinada, where he developed his literary skills under the guidance of his father, Chembolu Venkata Yogi, a polyglot. Kakinada's vibrant literary scene also influenced his growth through interactions with local writers.^[4]

He completed his schooling at the Municipal School in Anakapalli and pursued intermediate studies in Kakinada.^[5] Sastry later joinedMBBS but discontinued due to financial constraints. He then enrolled in aMaster of Arts (MA) program atAndhra University, Visakhapatnam.^[6]

Seetharama Sastry was a lyricist forK. Viswanath withSirivennela.

A particular highlight of the movie is the song "Vidhata Thalapuna", sung byS. P. Balasubrahmanyam andP. Susheela. The song is aboutAum, the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, from which theVeda traditions originated. Other notable songs includeAdibhikshuvu Vadinedi Koredhi andEe gali Ee Nela. The songs and their lyrics became hugely popular with Sastry subsequently winning his firstNandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "vidhaata talapuna". He won the Nandi Award for his first film.^{[citation needed]}

He wrote lyrics for many songs in films such asSwayam Krushi,Swarna Kamalam,Samsaram Oka Chadarangam,Shrutilayalu, andPelli Chesi Choodu. The lyrics for these songs met with positive reception. He won his secondNandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Telavardemo Swamy" from the filmShrutilayalu and his thirdNandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Andela Ravamidi Padamuladaa" from the filmSwarna Kamalam in 1988. He is the first person to have won Nandi Awards in three consecutive years in 1986, 1987 and 1988.^{[citation needed]}

He wrote the lyrics to many songs from the films such asSwarakalpana,Anna Thammudu,Indrudu Chandrudu,Alludugaru, andAntam with all songs garnering positive reception. His lyrics for the filmGaayam were particularly well received, and Sastry was awarded his fourthNandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Surajyamavaleni" in 1993.^{[citation needed]}

He wrote lyrics for many songs for films such asKshana Kshanam,Swati Kiranam,Money,Govinda Govinda,Criminal,Gulabi,Love Birds (Telugu Version),Taraka Ramudu,Shubhalagnam,Srikaram andLittle Soldiers. He won his fifth and sixthNandi Award for Best Lyricist for the filmsShubhalagnam andSrikaram respectively.^{[citation needed]}

His next work wasNinne Pelladata, in which he was the single card lyricist.^{[citation needed]}

He followed up with lyrics for songs in films such asShubha Muhurtam,Priya Raagaalu,Aahaa..!,Pelli Kanuka,Sindhooram,Aavida Maa Aavide,Chandralekha,Wife of V. Varaprasad,Seetharama Raju,Prema Katha etc. His lyrics received positive reception and won him his seventh and eighthNandi Award for Best Lyricist for the songs "Ardha Shatabdapu" (Sindhooram) and "Devudu Karunistadani" (Prema Katha).^{[citation needed]}

He started 2000s by writing lyrics for films such asMurari,O Chinadana,Okkadu,Nuvve Kavali,Nuvvu Naaku Nachav,Manmadhudu,Ela Cheppanu,Varsham,Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana,Chakram, andHappy. Among these songs, "Hare Rama" (Okkadu), "Ekkada Unna" (Nuvve Kavali), "Aakasam Thakela" (Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana) and "Jagamantha Kutumbam" (Chakram) got positive reception with "Aakasam Thakela" winning him his firstFilmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu and "Jagamantha Kutumbam" winning him his ninthNandi Award for Best Lyricist.^{[citation needed]}

He followed up by writing lyrics for many songs from films such asBommarillu,Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule,Gamyam,Sasirekha Parinayam,Jalsa,Parugu,Kotha Bangaru Lokam,Mahatma etc. "Entha Varaku" fromGamyam is often described as one of his best works and won him his tenthNandi Award for Best Lyricist and secondFilmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu is for "Inthavaraku" fromGamyam, the thirdFilmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu is for "Konthamandi Sontha Peru" fromMahatma & the fourthFilmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu is for "Raa Mundaduguveddham" fromKanche.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, he wrote lyrics for "Badulu Thochani" (Mr. Perfect) with rave reviews for its lyrical content. He also wrote lyrics for many songs from the films such asOh My Friend,Oosaravelli,Tuneega Tuneega,Onamalu,Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum,Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu,Greeku Veerudu,Paisa,Om 3D,Balupu,Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha,Adavi Kaachina Vennela.^{[citation needed]}

He is considered one of the great lyricists in Telugu Film Industry^{[citation needed]} along withVeturi andAatreya. Most of the younger lyricists like Chandra Bose, Ananth Sreeram andRama Jogayya Sastri consider him their guru.^{[citation needed]} He has written over 3000 songs^[1] and was felicitated for this achievement in the Audio function of 2014 movie Mukunda. He was the speaker at the Telugu Association of North America's celebrations held inChicago Illinois, U.S. 2–4 July 2009.^[7] In 2014, he was also felicitated by theBay Area Telugu association.^[8]

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Seetharama Sastry is known to have a long time association with bannersAnnapurna Studios andSumanth Art Productions and directorsK. Viswanath,Ram Gopal Varma,Krishna Vamsi andTrivikram Srinivas.

ForAnnapurna Studios he has written lyrics for most of the songs from films such asSisindri,Ninne Pelladata (involving Krishna Vamsi),Little Soldiers,Chandralekha (involving Krishna Vamsi),Yuvakudu,Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chutamu Rarandi,Prema Katha (involving Ram Gopal Varma),Aahaa..!,Manmadhudu. Among them, for most films he was the single card lyricist (lyrics for all songs written by a single lyricist).

ForSumanth Art Productions, he contributed lyrics for films such asManasantha Nuvve,Okkadu,Nee Sneham,Varsham,Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana,Pournami,Vaana andAata and for most of the films he was the single card lyricist.

ForUshakiran Movies he wrote lyrics in films likeNuvve Kavali,Ishtam,Anandam.

WithRam Gopal Varma, he has worked on many films, contributing lyrics, such asSiva,Antam,Kshana Kshanam,Gaayam,Govinda Govinda,Rangeli (Telugu dubbed version ofRangeela),Anaganaga Oka Roju,50-50 (Telugu dubbed version ofDaud),Satya (Telugu dubbed version),Prema Katha and for many production ventures byRam Gopal Varma such asMoney,Gulabi etc. And for most of them, he was the single card lyricist.

WithK. Viswanath, he has worked on many films including his debut ventureSirivennela,Sruthilayalu,Swayamkrushi,Swarna Kamalam,Aapadbandhavudu,Swati Kiranam,Subha Sankalpam etc.K. Viswanath is also known to have introduced Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry.

Krishna Vamsi is known to be a big fan of Sitarama Sastry. The films for which Sitarama Sastry wrote lyrics, which were directed byKrishna Vamsi includeNinne Pelladatha,Gulabi,Sindhooram,Chandralekha,Murari,Khadgam,Chakram,Mahatma etc. and more recentlyPaisa.

Trivikram Srinivas is a relative of Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. Sitarama Sastry wrote lyrics to films directed byTrivikram such asNuvve Nuvve,Athadu,Jalsa,Khaleja,Son of Satyamurthy,Agnyaathavaasi andAla Vaikunthapurramuloo.

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Seetharama Sastry's lyrics are known to have extreme optimistic value. Through his lyrics, he has time and again conveyed the essence of life by giving simple yet powerful examples and motivated people into living a happy, meaningful life irrespective of the hurdles one encounters. Some examples of this kind of song include "Aakasam Thakela" (Nuvvostanantey Nenoddantana, Prabhu Deva's directorial debut), "Entha Varaku" (Gamyam). Some of his songs also have rebellious tendencies, criticizing the shortcomings and social evils of society in songs like "Niggadeesi Adugu" (Gaayam), "Ardha Satabdhapu" (Sindhooram). He also wrote songs which have humour like "Vaareva Emi Face uu" (Money).He was often considered the most versatile Telugu film lyricist working because he has contributed lyrics for songs comprising all kinds of genres like duets, hero introduction, romantic, devotional, thought provoking, lighter vein.

Seetharama Sastry was a celebrity actor for "Subhagruha", a real estate firm.^[9] His interpretation of his Lyrics & Poetry has been published as a book namedSirivennela Tarangalu.Sitarama Sastry attendedLoksatta Party on 3 March 2014 in a public event inTirupati.^[10] In summer of 2014 along with singers Parthasaradhi (Parthu) and Sahithi, he toured many cities in United States presenting the concept behind the lyrics called "Sirivennela Antharangaalu".

His son Raja is an actor and acted inKeka (2008) and other films.^[11]

Seetharama Sastry died on 30 November 2021 atKrishna Institute of Medical Sciences,Secunderabad,Telangana due to lung cancer.^[1][12] On 24 November 2021, he was admitted to KIMS hospital with pneumonia and was put on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) treatment for supporting his lungs.^[13]

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Civilian honors

• Padma Shri (2019)

Nandi Awards

• Best Lyricist –Sirivennela (1986) – "Vidhatha Thalapuna"
• Best Lyricist –Sruthilayalu (1987) – "Telavaarademo Swami"
• Best Lyricist –Swarnakamalam (1988) – "Andela Ravamidi Padamuladaa"
• Best Lyricist –Gaayam (1993) – "Surajyamavaleeni Swarajyamendukani"
• Best Lyricist –Subha Lagnam (1994) – "Chilaka Ee Thoodu Leeka"
• Best Lyricist –Srikaram (1996) – "Manasu Kaastha Kalatha Padithe"
• Best Lyricist –Sindhooram (1997) – "Ardha Sathabdapu Agnananne"
• Best Lyricist –Prema Katha (1999) – "Devudu Karunistaadani"
• Best Lyricist –Chakram (2005) – "Jagamanta Kutumbam Naadi"
• Best Lyricist –Gamyam (2008) – "Enta Varaku Endu Koraku"
• Best Lyricist –Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013) – "Mari Anthagaa "

Filmfare Awards South

• Best Lyricist – Telugu –Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana -"Ghal Ghal" (2005)
• Best Lyricist – Telugu –Gamyam - "Yenthavaraku Yendhukoraku" (2008)
• Best Lyricist – Telugu –Mahatma - "Konthamandi inti peru kaadhura Gandhi" (2009)
• Best Lyricist – Telugu –Kanche - "Raa Mundhadugu veddham" (2015)
• Best Lyricist – Telugu –Jaanu "Life Of Ram - Naa Ventapadi" (2020)
• Best Lyricist – Telugu –Sita Ramam - "Kaanunna Kalyanam" (2022)

Santosham Film Awards

• Best Lyricist Award –Kanche (2015)

South Indian International Movie Awards

• Best Lyricist – Telugu –Kanche (2015)

Others

• He is a winner of the Bronzed Llama which he is noted for in his home town ofAnakapalli.
• He was honored with Lifetime achievement award in January 2012.

This is a listing of the songs and tracks Sastry has contributed as a lyricist in the chronological order of films.

As Singer

• Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry atIMDb

• 1955 births
• 2021 deaths
• Filmfare Awards South winners
• Indian male film actors
• Male actors from Andhra Pradesh
• Male actors in Telugu cinema
• Nandi Award winners
• People from Uttarandhra
• People from Visakhapatnam district
• Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts
• Santosham Film Awards winners
• Telugu-language lyricists
• Indian lyricists
• Indian songwriters
• Deaths from lung cancer in India
• Telugu poets
• Poets from Andhra Pradesh
• People from Kakinada

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• Articles with unsourced statements from August 2015
• Articles with unsourced statements from September 2020
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