Cingireddi Narayana Reddy (29 July 1931 – 12 June 2017), popularly known as CiNaRe, was an Indian Telugu-language poet, writer, and critic. He had produced over eighty literary works including poems, prose-plays, lyrical plays, translations, and

ghazal ''Ghazal'' is a form of amatory poem or ode, originating in Arabic poetry that often deals with topics of spiritual and romantic love. It may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss, or separation from the beloved, and t ...

s. He was also a professor, film lyricist, actor, and

Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the upper house of the Parliament of India and functions as the institutional representation of India’s federal units — the states and union territories.https://rajyasabha.nic.in/ It is a key component o ...

politician. He also served as the Vice Chancellor of Telugu University. Narayana Reddy won several awards in his career including the

Jnanpith Award The Jnanpith Award is the oldest and the highest Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature". Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on Indian ...

, India's highest literary honour, for '' Viswambhara'' in 1988. He was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2014, the highest honour of the Sahitya Academy, India's National Academy of Letters. The

Government of India The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...

honored him with the fourth and third highest civilian awards,

Padma Shri The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...

(1977) and

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan (IAST: ''Padma Bhūṣaṇa'', lit. 'Lotus Decoration') is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 Januar ...

(1992). Narayana Reddy also ventured into the film industry as a lyricist with the 1962 film '' Gulebakavali Katha.'' Subsequently'','' he penned the lyrics for more than 3,500 songs and won two state

Nandi Awards The Nandi Awards are annual awards presented by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to recognise excellence in Telugu cinema, theatre, and television, as well as lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. The awards are named after the monolithic ...

for Best Lyricist.(in Telugu)

Early life and career

Cingireddi Narayana Reddy was born on 29 July 1931 in the village of Hanumajipet in present-day Rajanna Sircilla district of

Telangana Telangana is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated in the Southern India, south-central part of the Indian subcontinent on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, ele ...

to a Telugu family of Malla Reddy and Buchamma. His father was a farmer and his mother was a housewife. He did his primary, secondary and higher secondary in Urdu medium as education in Telugu was not available under Nizam's rule. He studied Telugu privately during schooling in Sircilla under the guidance and tutelage of Gurus and Satavadhanis Seshadri Ramana Kavulu of

Machilipatnam Machilipatnam (), also known as Masulipatnam and Bandar (), is a city in Krishna district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipal corporation and the administrative headquarters of Krishna district. It is also the Tehsil, mandal ...

. After completing his higher secondary education

Karimnagar Karimnagar, also informally known as Elagandula, is a city and District Headquarters in the Indian state of Telangana. Karimnagar is a major urban agglomeration in the state. It is third largest City in the state and Municipal Corporation and i ...

, he went on to study at the

Osmania University Osmania University is a collegiate university, collegiate Public university, public State university (India), state university located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, issued a ''firman'' calling f ...

Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...

in 1949. He took Telugu as his subject during his graduation. Reddy received his

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...

degree in 1954 and became a college lecturer in 1955. He received Ph.D. in 1962 on "Modern Traditions of Telugu" and became a professor in 1976. He learned of modern Telugu literary giants and read books written by Gurram Jashua, Sri Sri, Devulapalli Krishna Sastry. He was mentored by the legendary poet and Jnanpith awardee Kavi Samrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana of

Vijayawada Vijayawada ( ), formerly known by its colonial name Bezawada, is the second largest city and a major commercial hub in the Andhra Pradesh state of India. The city forms an integral part of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region and is situated on th ...

, the first principal of Karimnagar Government College (1959–61). Naryana Reddy married Suseela and with her had four daughters. Reddy instituted an award named after his wife which is presented annually to the female writers. Reddy was nominated to the

, the

upper house An upper house is one of two Legislative chamber, chambers of a bicameralism, bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house. The house formally designated as the upper house is usually smaller and often has more restricted p ...

of the

Indian Parliament The Parliament of India (ISO: ) is the supreme legislative body of the Government of the Republic of India. It is a bicameral legislature composed of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President o ...

, in August 1997.

Literary works

Reddy's first published work was a poetry collection ''Navvani Puvvu'' (''The Bashful Flower'') in 1953 and later went on to publish several other works like ''Vennela Vada'' (''The Monnlight Town'', 1959), ''Jalapatham'' (''The Waterfall''), ''Divvela Muvvalu'' (''Candle Bells'', 1959), ''Rutu Chakram'' (''Cycle of Seasons'', 1964), ''Madhyatharagathi Mandahasam'' (''The Smile of the Middle Class'', 1968), and ''Mantalu Manavudu'' (''Flames and the Man'', 1970). His 1980 published poetic work '' Viswambhara'' (''The Earth'') received wide critical acclaim and has been translated into several Indian languages like Kannada by Mr. Markandepuram Srinivas, Malayalam by Dr. Sushma Shankar. The

Sahitya Akademi The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported by, though independent of the Indian government. Its off ...

noted of it, "This monumental work in free verse depicts the journey of man through the ages as he strives to attain spiritual, artistic, and scientific excellence." Bhimsen Nirmal translated ''Viswambhara'' into Hindi as ''Viswambhara'' and his Telugu poetry collection ''Prapanchapadulu'' was translated into Sanskrit as ''Prapanchapadi'' by R. Sri Hari. Nirmal and Hari won the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award for these works in 1991 and 2001 respectively. Reddy's ''Nagarjuna Sagaram'' is a Buddhist epic poetry based on a heart-breaking love story of a lady Santisri who comes to study Buddhism and falls in love with a sculptor Padmadeva. His 1957 ''Karpura Vasantha Rayulu'' was an epic poem retelling the romance between the King Kumara Giri of Reddy dynasty and his court dancer Lakuma. The book was dedicated to Telugu historian Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma whose main contributions were regarding the recording of Reddy history. Along with poetry, Reddy also composed musical plays ''Ramappa'' (1960), based on

Kakatiya dynasty The Kakatiya dynasty (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: Kākatīya) was a Andhras, Telugu dynasty that ruled most of eastern Deccan Plateau, Deccan region in present-day India between 12th and 14th centuries. Their ter ...

and the collection of ten plays ''Narayana Reddy Natikalu'' (''Play-lets of Narayana Reddy'', 1978). He published analysis of modern Telugu poetry, its precursors, its progression through various phases and its modern-day forms in ''Adhunikandhara Kavitamu - Sampradayamulu Prayogamalu: Modern Telugu Poetry Tradition and Experiment''. His 1997 published book ''Matti Manishi Akasam'' (''Man Beyond Earth and Sky'') consists of a long poem of around hundred pages. He wrote a few travelogues about his travels to various countries including a tour of Malaysia in ''Muchataga Moodu Varalu'', about Russia in ''Soviet Russsialo Padi Rojulu'' and about the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France in ''Paschatya Desallo Yabai Rojulu''.

Film career

Reddy's first film as a lyricist was '' Gulebakavali Katha'' (1962) which was directed by N. T. Rama Rao. Reddy later went on to write more than 3000 film songs. His last song was for the film ''Inkennallu'' (2011) which was directed by Syed Rafi''.'' He won the

Nandi Award for Best Lyricist The following is a list of recipients of the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist since 1977.(in Telugu language, Telugu) Winners References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nandi Award For Best Lyricist Nandi Awards, Lyrics ...

twice for the song "Kantene Amma Ani Ante Ela?" from the movie '' Preminchu'' (2001) and "Idigo Raayalaseema Gadda" from the movie '' Seetayya'' (2003).

Bibliography

The following literary works of Reddy have been published: # ''Jalapatham'' (1953) # ''Navvani Puvvu'' (1953) # ''Viswageeti'' (1954) # ''Nagarjuna Sagaram'' (1955) # ''Narayana Reddy Geyalu'' (1955) # ''Ajantha Sundari'' (1955) # ''Swapna Bhangam'' (1957) # ''Karpura Vasantarayalu'' (1957) # ''Tene Patalu'' (1957) # ''Viswanatha Nayudu'' (1959) # ''Divvela Muvvalu'' (1959) # ''Vennelawada'' (1959) # ''Geya Natikalu'' (1959) # ''Vachanakavitha'' (''Cini Kavi Manasnivali'') (1959) # ''Ramappa'' (1960) # ''Cinare Geethalu'' (1963) # ''Rutu Chakram'' (1964) # ''Sama Darsanam'' (1964) # ''Aksharala Gavakshalu'' (1965) # ''Vyasavahini'' (1965) # ''Jati Ratnam'' (1967) # ''Adhunikandhra Kavitvam'' (1967) # ''Sampradaya Reethulu'' (1967) # ''Madhyatharagathi Mandahasam'' (1968) # ''Maro Harivillu'' (1969) # ''Gandhiyam'' (1969) # ''Meerabai'' (1969) # ''Mantalu - Manavudu'' (1970) # ''Mukhamukhi'' (1971) # ''Manishi - Chilaka'' (1972) # ''Mandhara Makarandhalu'' (1973) # ''Patalo Emindi - Na Matalo Emundhi'' (First Volume) (1974) # ''Patalo Emindi - Na Matalo Emundhi'' (Second Volume) (1974) # ''Marpu Na Tirpu'' (1974) # ''Sikharalu Loyalu'' (1974) # ''Tejassu Na Tapassu'' (1975) # ''Taratarala Telugu Velugu'' (1975) # ''Pagale Vennela'' (1976) # ''Inti Peru Chaitanyam'' (1976) # ''Bhoomika'' (1977) # ''Narayana Reddy Natikalu'' (1978) # ''Mathanam'' (1978) # ''Mrutyuvu Nunchi'' (1979) # ''Muthyala Kokila'' (1979) # ''Viswambhara'' (1980) # ''Soviet Russia lo Padi Rojulu'' (1980) # ''Maa Ooru Matladindi'' (1980) # ''Rekkalu'' (1982) # ''Amara Veerudu Bhagat Singh'' (1982) # ''Nadaka Na Talli'' (1983) # ''Kalam Anchu Mida'' (1985) # ''Telugu Gazallu'' (1986) # ''Kavitha Na Chirunama'' (1988) # ''Arohana'' (1991) # ''Jathiki Oopiri Swatantryam'' (1993) # ''Drukpatham'' (1994) # ''Bhoogolamanta Manishi Bomma'' (1996) # ''Matti Manishi Aakasam'' (1997) # ''Gadilo Samudram'' (1998) # ''Vyaktitvam'' (1999) # ''Dooraalanu Doosukotchi'' (2000) # ''Muchataga Moodu Varalu'' (2001) # ''Paschatya Desallo Yabai Rojulu.'' (2001) # ''Samooham Vaipu'' (2008) # ''Manishiga Jeevinchalani'' (2009) # ''Viswam Nalo Unnappudu'' (2010) # ''Nachoopu Repati Vaipu'' (2011) # ''Vakkuku Vayasu Ledu'' (2012) # ''Lethakiranalu'' (2013) # ''Alalethe Adugulu'' (2013) # ''Ningikegirina Chetlu'' (2014) # ''Cinare Gazallu'' # ''Prapancha Padulu'' # ''Kalam Sakshiga'' # ''Udayam Na Hrudayam'' # ''Jathiya Kavi Sammelanamloni Vividha Bhasha Kavithala Anuvaadhalu'' # ''Telugukavitha Layathmakatha'' # ''Saptati Oka Liptaga'' # ''Moving Spirit'' (English) # ''Rekkala Santhakalu'' # ''Jwalaga Jeevinchalani'' # ''Konagotimida Jeevitham'' # ''Kalisi Nadiche Kalam'' # ''Evee Aa Jeeva Nadhulu'' # ''That's What I said'' (English)

Discography

Sources:

Awards

Reddy won several awards for his literary work which includes the

Sahitya Akademi Award The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the ...

in 1973 for his poetry collection ''Mantalu Manavudu'', the

for '' Viswambhara'' in 1988 and was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2014, the highest honour of the

, India's National Academy of Letters. Reddy was also awarded an honorary Kala Prapoorna by

Andhra University Andhra University is a public university located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established in 1926. It is graded as an A++ institution by NAAC receiving a score of 3.74 on a scale of 4. History King Vikram Deo Verma, the Mah ...

in 1978, the Soviet Land Nehru award in 1982, and the Raja-Lakshmi Award by the Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation in 1988, "Visishta Puraskaram" of the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University in 2011. The

honored him with the fourth and third highest civilian awards,

(1977) and

(1992). He also won the

Nandi Award for Best Lyricist The following is a list of recipients of the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist since 1977.(in Telugu language, Telugu) Winners References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nandi Award For Best Lyricist Nandi Awards, Lyrics ...

twice for the song "Kantene Amma Ani Ante Ela?" from the movie '' Preminchu'' (2001) and "Idigo Raayalaseema Gadda" from the movie '' Seetayya'' (2003).

Death

Reddy developed health complication and complained of chest pain and was shifted to the Care Hospital. He died on 12 June 2017 at the age of 85.

References

https://www.loc.gov/acq/ovop/delhi/salrp/reddy.html

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Reddy, C. Narayana 1931 births 2017 deaths Indian lyricists Writers from Telangana Telugu-language lyricists Telugu writers Recipients of the Jnanpith Award Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Telugu 20th-century Indian writers People from Karimnagar district Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education 20th-century Indian male writers