Eminent Telugu Lyricist Veturi Passes Away

[Thanks to Shashi for these links — Qalandar]

DECCAN CHRONICLE:
One of the doyens of Telugu film industry, lyric writer Dr Veturi Sundara Ramurthy, 74, died of a massive cardiac arrest at a private hospital here on Saturday night. He was admitted to the hospital two days ago and was kept in ICU.

Veturi was born on January 29, 1936 at Peda Kallepalli in Krishna district. While working as a journalist, Veturi became popular by writing songs for Dr K. Viswanath’s O Sita Katha, Siri Siri Muvva, Saptapadi, Swati Mutyam and Sagara Sangam. He penned hundreds of popular songs.

Veturi began his career as a journalist and worked for prominent dailies like Andhra Patrika and Andhra Prabha before becoming a lyricist. His songs varied from classical to folk and mass. He was also the second lyricist from the Telugu film industry to win the National Film Award for the Best Lyrics for the song ‘Raalipoye puvva neeku ragaalenduke’ from the movie Maathrudevobhava in the year 1994. But, he gave back the award since Telugu was not recognised as an ancient language. He also received the AP government’s Nandi award more than eight times.

As a writer, he won laurels for his book ‘Sirikakolanu Chinnadi’ from Gyanpith Awardee, late Dr Viswanatha Satyanarayana.

Veturi cherished his professional relationship with the national award winning Telugu film director, Dr. K. Viswanath, and renowned music composers, K.V. Mahadevan and Ilaiyaraaja.