Ande Sri: The voice of Telangana silenced, But never forgotten

Ande Sri, the legendary voice of Telangana, passed away on November 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that resonates deeply in the heart of the state’s cultural and literary history. Born Ande Ellayya in Rebarthi village of Siddipet district on July 18, 1961, he faced early hardship losing his parents and growing up without the benefit of formal schooling. Raised by elders in his village, Ande Sri’s formative years as a farm labourer and cattle herder became the foundation for the profound empathy and authenticity that shaped his poetry. He believed that life itself must become poetry, and indeed, his works gave voice to the everyday struggles and triumphs of farmers, labourers, and the marginalized.

Ande Sri’s remarkable journey from wielding a sickle to wielding a pen saw him become the rallying figure for Telangana’s aspirations. His most iconic contribution, “Jaya Jaya He Telangana,” became the anthem of the Telangana statehood movement and was officially adopted as the state song in 2024. With its simple yet stirring language, the anthem united millions and encapsulated the dream of self-determination for Telangana. The poem and countless others penned by Ande Sri became a symbol of hope and unity, sung across villages and schools, reflecting the dreams and resilience of the common man.

Throughout his prolific career, Ande Sri wrote over 3,000 poems and songs, transforming lived experiences into lyrical stories. Works such as “Palle Neeku Vandanamulammo,” “Galagala Gajjelabandi,” and “Maayamai Pothunnadamma Manishannavadu” the latter included in university syllabi demonstrated a poetic depth that defied academic boundaries. His lyrics for Telugu films, most notably “Ganga” for which he won the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist in 2006, further bridged the gap between literature and popular arts, bringing social consciousness and rustic wisdom to mainstream audiences.

Honours and accolades followed him throughout his life: an honorary doctorate from Kakatiya University, Dasarathi Sahitya Puraskaram in 2015, Loknayak Award from Visakhapatnam, Suddaala Hanuman–Janakamma Award in 2022, and, most recently, the Telangana State Award with a ₹1 crore cash prize in 2025. The state government also nominated him for the Padma Shri in 2014, recognizing his revolutionary spirit and enduring impact.

With Ande Sri’s passing, the people of Telangana and Telangana itself have lost a renowned poet whose spirit lived in every festival, rally, and village song. His poetry was never created for textbooks it was woven into the fabric of everyday life, inspiring and representing the hopes, struggles, and joys of ordinary people. Even without his physical presence, Ande Sri’s words and vision will continue to echo in the soil and soul of Telangana, capturing the aspirations and heartbeat of the land he so passionately celebrated.