Kosaraju Raghavayya (23 June 1905 – 27 October 1987), known mononumously by his

surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

Kosaraju, was an Indian

lyricist A lyricist is a writer who writes lyrics (the spoken words), as opposed to a composer, who writes the song's music which may include but not limited to the melody, harmony, arrangement and accompaniment. Royalties A lyricist's income derives ...

and poet known for his works in

Telugu cinema Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Cinema of India, Indian cinema dedicated to the production of Film, motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Based in Film N ...

. He wrote about 3,000 songs in 350 films. His lyrics are steeped in Telugu folklore and rural idiom. He was awarded the prestigious

Raghupathi Venkaiah Award The Raghupathi Venkaiah Award is an award issued by the Indian state government of Andhra Pradesh to recognise lifetime achievements in Telugu cinema. The award was introduced in 1981 in honour of Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, one of India's film p ...

by the

Government of Andhra Pradesh The Government of Andhra Pradesh, abbreviated as GoAP, is the Administrative division, state government and the administrative body responsible for the governance of the States of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Amaravati is the capital ...

for his contribution to Telugu cinema in 1984. He wrote memorable songs like "Eruvaka Sagaro", "Niluvave Vaalu Kanuladhana", "Illarikamlo Unna Maza", "Chethilo Dabbulu Poyene", "Anukunnadokkati Ainadi Okkati", "Ye Nimishana Yemi Jaruguno", "Jayammu Nischayammu ra", "Maa Voollo Oka Paduchundi".

Early life

Born in an agricultural family in

Appikatla Appikatla is a village in Bapatla district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Bapatla mandal of Tenali revenue division. Geography Appikatla is situated to the northwest of the mandal headquarters, Bapatla, at . It is sp ...

village,

Guntur district Guntur district is one of the twenty six districts in the Coastal Andhra region of the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The administrative seat of the district is located at Guntur, the List of urban agglom ...

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...

, Kosaraju studied Telugu literature, epics and puranas. Kosaraju was influenced by a Telugu scholar Kondamudi Narasimham Pantulu in whose play based on the ''

Ramayana The ''Ramayana'' (; ), also known as ''Valmiki Ramayana'', as traditionally attributed to Valmiki, is a smriti text (also described as a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic) from ancient India, one of the two important epics ...

'' he acted when still in his teens. Initially, he worked as a journalist in the ''Raithu Patrika'' where he met the famous writer Samudrala Sr. and the director

Gudavalli Ramabrahmam Gudavalli Ramabrahmam was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who worked in Telugu cinema. He is known for directing critically acclaimed social problem films like '' Mala Pilla'' (1938) and '' Raithu Bidda'' (1939). At a time ...

. He published his first poetry anthology, ''Kadagandlu''. He died in 1987.

Film career

Kosaraju acted in the

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India ** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language. * Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...

film ''

Raithu Bidda ''Raithu Bidda'' ( ''Farmer's Son'') is a 1939 Telugu social problem film directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam. It is a social reformist film during the British Raj era, at the time of battle against the Zamindari system. The British Administratio ...

'' (1939). Later, he shifted his focus to writing lyrics for films. He penned humorous lyrics for

K. V. Reddy Kadiri Venkata Reddy (1 July 1912 – 15 September 1972), commonly known as K. V. Reddy, was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema. Renowned as one of the most influential filmma ...

's '' Pedda Manushulu'' (1954), followed by one of his most famous songs, "Jebulo Bomma Je Jela Bomma" (in

B. A. Subba Rao B. A. Subba Rao was an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of several prominent actors, including N. T. Rama Rao. Subba Rao made his directorial ...

's ''

Raju Peda ''Raju Peda'' () is a 1954 Indian Telugu-language film directed and produced by B. A. Subba Rao. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Lakshmirajyam, S. V. Ranga Rao and Master Sudhakar, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It is based on Mark Tw ...

'', 1954). He was well known for his earthy poetry, often referring to popular tales of morality and ethics. Kosaraju wrote about 3,000 lyrics for 350 Telugu films. He wrote memorable songs like "Eruvaka Sagaro", "Illarikamlo Unna Maza" and "Chethilo Dabbulu Poyene".

Filmography

Awards and honours

*He was awarded the prestigious

by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema in 1984. *He was given the titles ''Janapada Kavi Sarvabhouma'' and ''Kaviratna''.

References

External links