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

lyricist A lyricist is a songwriter 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 incom ...

and poet known for his works in

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

. 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 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh 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 village, Guntur district,

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...

, 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 ''Rāmāyana'' (; sa, रामायणम्, ) is a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic composed over a period of nearly a millennium, with scholars' estimates for the earliest stage of the text ranging from the 8th ...

'' 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 w ...

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

Film career

Kosaraju acted in the Telugu film '' Raithu Bidda'' (1939). Later, he shifted his focus to writing lyrics for films. He penned humorous lyrics for K. V. Reddy's '' Pedda Manushulu'' (1954), followed by one of his most famous songs, "Jebulo Bomma Je Jela Bomma" (in B. A. Subba Rao's '' Raju Peda'', 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 Raghupathi Venkaiah Award 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