The Telugu film industry paid its last respects to Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, the award-winning lyricist, who died on Tuesday due to lung cancer-related complications. His mortal remains were kept at the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce.
Various film personalities, including Mahesh Babu, Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Nani, and Venkatesh Daggubati, paid their respects in person on Wednesday, even as tributes continued to pour in for the late lyricist on social media.
The 66-year-old lyricist had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia at KIMS Hospital in Secunderabad since November 24. Sastry was put on ECMO to support his lungs and was kept under close observation in the Intensive Care Unit. However, despite all efforts, Sastry breathed his last at 4.07 pm on Tuesday.
With over 3,000 songs to his credits, the late lyricist was best known for winning the most number of Nandi Awards, 11 in all. Besides this, he was also the winner of four Filmfare South awards. In 2019, Sastry was bestowed the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Speaking to Silverscreen India, producer-director MS Raju, a frequent collaborator of Sastry’s, said, “We were in touch since 1986; we both began our careers around that time. He was more than just a lyricist to me. He was a friend for more than four decades.”
Under his Sumanth Art Productions banner, Raju backed several films for which Sastry wrote the lyrics, such as Manasantha Nuvve, Okkadu, Nee Sneham, Varsham, Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, and Pournami. “He always made sure I was present to provide my input when he was writing the lyrics. He used to write songs usually at nights. Sastry garu would listen to the whole story and characterisations, instead of only the song situation. He had a storyteller’s sensibility even while writing songs.”
“He carefully avoided using double-meaning lyrics. And he never shied away from using difficult words; he wanted to educate the audience using his vocabulary. Sastry garu also had an interest in philosophy and experimented with songs of different genres,” added Raju.
Telugu film journalist Jeevi, who had interviewed the late lyricist in the 2000s, told Silverscreen India, “The interview went on for hours. He was fascinated by the world of the internet that was just booming then. He was excited by the instant reactions he could get from all over the world. He had a lot of enthusiasm.”
Jeevi recalled the popularity of Sastry’s lyrics. “His songs were so good and would create a lot of hype for films. In fact, people loved his songs so much and would wait so eagerly to watch the films, that they would sometimes be disappointed by the films themselves for not capturing the spirit of the songs.”
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Actor Nagarjuna was among those who took to social media to pay his tribute to the late lyricist. He wrote, “You have left us with such beautiful words and songs Seetharama Sastry Garu, which will live forever!! May your soul rest in peace.” The actor also postponed the release of a song teaser from his film Bangarraju Naakosam, that was scheduled for Wednesday, as a mark of respect.
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Actor Siddharth said, “I was blessed to be blessed by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu. When I was learning Telugu before my first film, he taught me how to read poetry and I thank him for my love for the Telugu language. What a legendary mind. Deepest condolences. RIP Sastry garu.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his condolences. He tweeted, “Saddened by the passing away of the outstanding Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. His poetic brilliance and versatility could be seen in several of his works. He made many efforts to popularise Telugu. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
Sastry is survived by his wife and two sons.