Telangana poet Ande Sri passes away suddenly at 64

Renowned Telangana poet and lyricist Ande Sri (real name Ande Ellayya) passed away suddenly on Monday morning at his residence in Hyderabad. He was 64. Family members said he developed a sudden health complication and was immediately rushed to Gandhi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Later, his body was taken to his home in Lalapet and placed at the GHMC Indoor Stadium for the public to pay their respects.

Born on July 18, 1961, in Rebarthi village, Siddipet district, Ande Sri came from a humble background. He began his life as a shepherd and later worked as a construction laborer, yet rose to prominence as a self-taught poet. Despite lacking formal education, he became one of the most powerful cultural voices of the Telangana movement, inspiring countless people with his revolutionary poetry. His song “Maayamaipothunnadamma Telangana” became an anthem during the struggle for statehood.

Ande Sri’s literary achievements earned him widespread recognition. The Telangana government officially adopted his composition “Jaya Jayahe Telangana” as the state song, cementing his place in the state’s cultural history. On Telangana Formation Day this year, the government honored him with a ₹1 crore cash award for his contributions.

Over the years, Ande Sri received several prestigious honors, including the Nandi Award (2006) for the film “Ganga”, the Dasarathi Literary Award (2015), the Ravuri Bharadwaja Literary Award, the Janakamma National Award (2022), and the Dasarathi Krishnamacharya Literary Award (2024). He was also conferred an honorary doctorate by Kakatiya University and recognized by the Academy of Universal Global Peace in 2014.

Famed for his spontaneous poetry and sharp expression, Ande Sri was celebrated as the “people’s poet,” whose words echoed the hopes and struggles of the Telangana heartland.

Leaders mourn the loss

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief over Ande Sri’s death, calling it an irreplaceable loss to Telangana literature and culture. “Ande Sri turned his words into fire during the Telangana movement. He was a fearless voice of the poor and a true son of the Telangana soil,” the Chief Minister said on X. He added that though Ande Sri is no longer with us, his legacy will live on through the state anthem ‘Jaya Jayahe Telangana Janani Jayaketanam.’

Revanth Reddy also directed that Ande Sri’s funeral be conducted with full state honors, instructing officials to make necessary arrangements.

Former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao also paid tributes, recalling Ande Sri’s immense contribution to the Telangana statehood movement. “His songs were the heartbeat of the struggle,” KCR said, expressing shock and sorrow at the news.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also extended condolences, calling Ande Sri’s passing “a huge loss to Telugu literature and culture.”

As tributes pour in from across the Telugu-speaking states, Ande Sri is being remembered not only as a poet but as a symbol of Telangana’s cultural pride and spirit of resistance - a voice that will continue to resonate through his immortal words.