Telangana anthem writer Ande Sri dies of heart attack in Hyderabad; CM condoles demise

Hyderabad: Renowned Telugu poet and lyricist Ande Sri, the man who gave words to Telangana’s pride through the state anthem “Jaya Jayahe Telangana”, passed away in Hyderabad on Sunday. He was 64.

Family sources said the poet suffered a massive heart attack and was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The Telangana government has announced that his funeral will be held with full state honours.

Born as Ande Yellaiah in 1961 in Rebarthi village of Siddipet district, Ande Sri rose from humble beginnings. With no formal higher education and working initially as a shepherd, he developed a deep connection with the soil and spirit of Telangana. That connection shaped his poetry — grounded, passionate, and steeped in the people’s struggles.

His anthem “Jaya Jayahe Telangana, Janani Jaya Kethanam” became a rallying cry during the statehood movement, echoing through protest grounds and celebrations alike. The song was formally recognised as Telangana’s state anthem in February 2024, a decade after the state’s formation.

Ande Sri’s contribution to Telugu literature and cinema extended beyond his political verse. He penned hundreds of songs for films, folk performances, and cultural events, earning a Nandi Award for Best Lyricist and an honorary doctorate from Kakatiya University.

Tributes have poured in from across the state. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called Ande Sri “a poet of the people and a symbol of Telangana’s cultural resurgence,” adding that his “words captured the soul of the movement.”

Former CM K Chandrashekar Rao, who had earlier championed Ande Sri’s anthem, also expressed deep sorrow, calling his death “an irreparable loss to the Telangana identity.”

As Telangana mourns the passing of its beloved bard, Ande Sri’s verses — echoing pride, resistance, and belonging — continue to resonate as the eternal rhythm of the state he immortalised in song.