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HYDERABAD: Renowned poet and lyricist Ande Sri, celebrated for penning Telangana’s official state anthem “Jaya Jayahe Telangana”, passed away in the early hours of Monday at the age of 64. His death marks an irreparable loss to the cultural and literary landscape of the state. A voice that defined Telangana’s spirit Born as Ande Yellanna in Rebarthi village, Siddipet district, Ande Sri rose from humble beginnings to become a towering figure in Telugu literature. Orphaned at a young age and deprived of formal education, he worked as a shepherd and construction labourer before his extraordinary talent for poetry brought him recognition. His magnum opus, “Jaya Jayahe Telangana, Janani Jaya Kethanam,” a 12-stanza composition, became the emotional anthem of the Telangana statehood movement, echoing the aspirations of millions. The song was later adopted as the official State Anthem after Telangana’s formation. From shepherd to celebrated poet Despite his lack of formal schooling, Ande Sri wrote thousands of poems and lyrics, distinguished by their earthy language and deep empathy for the working class. His song “Maayamaipothunnadamma Manishanavadu” from the film Erra Samudram received critical acclaim and was even included in university textbooks by Andhra Pradesh University in 2009. He won the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist (2006) for the film Ganga and was later honoured with a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by Kakatiya University for his literary contributions. In June 2025, the Telangana government felicitated him with a Rs 1 crore cash award during the State Formation Day celebrations. Tributes pour in from across Telangana Expressing grief, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said a “towering figure of Telangana literature has fallen.” He recalled spending long hours with Ande Sri during the re-composition of the state song. “Jaya Jayahe Telangana was not just a song—it was the voice of crores of people during the statehood struggle,” he said. Revanth Reddy directed officials to conduct state honours for the poet’s final rites and instructed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao to oversee the arrangements. Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao also paid tribute, describing Ande Sri as “a cultural warrior whose songs strengthened the spirit of the movement.” A legacy etched in verse Over the decades, Ande Sri’s works came to symbolise Telangana’s identity, pride, and resilience. His poetry, grounded in the rhythms of the people and the soil, resonated deeply with rural audiences and urban readers alike. Cultural scholars credit him with bridging the gap between folk expression and modern literature, while admirers say his words gave Telangana its most powerful cultural voice. As tributes continue to pour in, the poet’s legacy endures through his verses — immortalising the hopes and struggles of the people whose stories he so passionately told.
