Sirivennela Sitaramasastri

"Sirivennela" Sitaramasastri (born May 20, 1955) is one of the most notable lyricists in Indian cinema for movies made in the Telugu language.

Chembolu Sitaramasastri hails from the town of Anakapalli in Visakhapatnam district of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. While pursuing his habit of poetry writing, he worked with the state-owned Telephone department for a living before he started writing film-songs. His first work in films were the songs for K. Viswanath's Sirivennela. The songs in the movie were so phenomenally popular that the name of this movie got tagged to his given name. (In fact, he is known to many as just "Sirivennela"). One of the songs about the Creator, in the movie was one he had written many years before the movie was made and is celebrated to this day for being a masterpiece of a song.

"Sirivennela" went on to write numerous other such marvels and had won several awards, including eight of the prestigious Nandi awards.

Although he is more popular for his film songs, he has a written a vast collection of devotional and patriotic songs. He has written over a thousand songs on Lord Shiva. Some of his patriotic songs inspired movies like Gayam directed by Ram Gopal Varma.

He is also known for his poetry on Lord Shiva for his published books - Sivanandalahari

His other published works include Nandi vardhanaalu ( a collection of his award songs), Sirivennela tharangaalu (collection of his songs with his commentary)...

His father Dr C V Yogi was a mutli facet scholar who worked as lecturer in Anakapalli (AMLA College) and Kakinada (Ideal College)

Lyric Style

Sitarama Sastri has got an excellent command over Telugu language both conventional and colloquial. Carrying deep-meaning and higher thought, his lyrics touched the hearts of many. He has written lyrics for many situations covering the entire gamut of human emotions. His romantic songs are soothing and touchy, his songs on present-day society are questioning, critical, direct and forceful. His usage of language and expression is excellent in that with the use of simple words, the message and meaning of lyrics is instantly understood by the listener and since being very direct and simple, his lyrics leave little doubt about the meaning.

Apart from being a lyricist, Sitarama Sastri is also a philosopher, thinker and a crusader – through his songs – for social reformation. The glimpses of his thoughts on development and reformation of present-day society can be seen in his following songs:

(Movie: Gamyam)

"'“Niggadisi Adugu ee Sigguleni Janaanni Aggi toTu Kadugu ee Samaja JeevachhavanniMaaradu Lokam Maaradu KalamDevudu Digi Raani Evvaru Emaiponi”"'

"'Court Martial these shameless peopleClean this lifeless society with fireThis world (people) does not change, this era does not changeLet God descend, let whatever happen to anyone "'

His following experiments using comparison are really thought-provoking and eye-openers:

"'“Ramabanamaarpinda Ravana KastamKrishna Geeta Aapinda Nitya Kurukshetram”"'

"'Did the arrow of Lord Rama extinguish the difficulties of Raavana?Did Lord Krishna’s Gita stop the perpetual Kurukshetra?"'

His another song in Sindooram (vermilion)

"'“Ardha Satabdapu Agnanaani SwarajyamandamaAtma Vinaasapu Arachaakanni Swatantramandaama”

Should we call this half-century’s ignorance freedom?Should we call the soul-destroying atrocities independence?"'

He has written message-oriented songs also. His following song stopped a number of people from committing suicide ¹:

"'“Eppudu Oppukovaddura OtamiEppudu Vadulukovaddura Orimi”

Never accept defeat,Never lose patience

“Dehamundi, pranamundi, Netturundi, SattuvundiAntakanna Sainyamunduna?

Aasa neeku Astramounu, Swasa neeku SastramounuAsayammu Saradhounura!”

You possess body, life, blood and strength – do you need more army?

Hope becomes your weapon, Breath becomes your armour and your goal your driving force."'

His romantic and duet songs carry deep meaning. Without resorting to much used expressions, he experiments in this arena too. In his song “Nuvvu Nuvvu” written for film Khadgam – he wrote every line of with song ending with “Nuvvu”. He effectively projected the dynamics and intricacies of female’s mind and her relation with male.

He wrote the title song for a television serial “Priyanka”. It is about a mother craving for her son. The lines are so rich in their expression about mother’s love for the son.

"'“Amma antu Ammedantu Alladeva NayanaNeetodunna Nee needalle Nuvvu Choodaka Poyina

Are you wondering where is mother, O my dear son?I am with you, like your shade, although you did not see me, my child

“Kadupu Teepai Karigi Unna Neevu Taagina Paalalo,Satayushkani Deevustunna Challani Muripaalato,Nidura Pote Eduru raana kanna nee kalalo”

Imbibed in your very being with the milk I fed you, my son, I am blessing you for 100 years of life.Don’t I come in your dreams as soon as you are asleep, my child

Are you wondering where is mother, O my dear son?I am with you, like your shade, although you did not see me, my child"'

External links

+ sirivennela official website has been closed
* [http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_sirivennela.html Interview with Sirivennela]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0781683/ Sirivennela on IMDB]