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Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry

Chembolu Seetharama Sastry (widely known as Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry) (born 1955) is an Indian poet, and lyricist known for his works exclusively in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theatre. He has garnered eleven state Nandi Awards and four Filmfare Awards South for his lyrical works. He was the keynote speaker at the Telugu Association of North Americas celebrations held in Chicago Illinois, U.S. July 2–4, 2009. Recently, he was also felicitated by the Bay Area Telugu association. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions towards the field of arts and aesthetics. His lyrics are known to have extreme optimistic value. Through his lyrics, he has time and again conveyed the essence of life by giving simple yet powerful examples and motivated people into living a happy, meaningful life irrespective of the hurdles one encounters. Some examples for this kind of songs include "Aakasam Thakela" (Nuvvostanantey Nenoddantana, Pradhu Devas directorial debut), "Entha Varaku" (Gamyam). Some of his songs also have rebellious tendencies, criticizing the shortcomings and social evils of society in songs like "Niggadeesi Adugu" (Gaayam), "Ardha Satabdhapu" (Sindhooram). He also wrote songs which have humour like "Vaareva Emi Face uu" (Money). He is often considered as the most versatile Telugu film lyricist currently working because he has contributed lyrics for songs comprising all kinds of genres like duets, hero introduction, romantic, devotional, thought provoking, lighter vein. Awards and Honors : The Vice President, Sri M. Venkaiah Naidu presenting Ustad Bismillah Khan Award for Culture to Sri Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry, at an event to present Swarajya Awards 2017, in Panaji, Goa Civilian Honors Padma Shri (2019) Nandi Awards Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Sirivennela (1986) – "Vidhatha Thalapuna" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Sruthilayalu (1987) – "Telavaarademo Swami" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Swarnakamalam (1988) – "Andela Ravamidi Padamuladaa" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Gaayam (1993) – "Surajyamavaleeni Swarajyamendukani" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Subha Lagnam (1994) – "Chilaka Ee Thoodu Leeka" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Sreekaram (1996) – "Manasu Kaastha Kalatha Padithe" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Sindhooram (1997) – "Ardha Sathabdapu Agnananne" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Prema Katha (1999) – "Devudu Karunistaadani" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Chakram (2005) – "Jagamanta Kutumbam Naadi" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist – Gamyam (2008) – "Enta Varaku Endu Koraku" Nandi Award for Best Lyricist - Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013) - "Mari Anthagaa " Filmfare Awards South : Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu – Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2005) Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu – Gamyam (2008) Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu – Mahatma (2009) Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu – Kanche (2015) Others : Winner of the Bronzed Llama for which he is noted for in his home town of Anakapalli. Lifetime achievement award in January 2012. Known to have a long time association with banners "Annapurna Studios" and "Sumanth Art Productions" and directors ""K. Viswanath", Ram Gopal Varma", "Krishna Vamsi" and "Trivikram Srinivas". For "Annapurna Studios" he has written lyrics for most of the songs from films such as Sisindri, Ninne Pelladatha (Involving Krishna Vamsi), Little Soldiers, Chandralekha (Involving Krishna Vamsi), Yuvakudu, Sree Seetharamula Kalyanam Choothamu Rarandi, Prema Katha (Involving Ram Gopal Varma), Aaha, Manmadhudu. Among them, for most films he was the single card lyricist (lyrics for all songs written by a single lyricist). For "Sumanth Art Productions", he contributed lyrics for films such as Manasantha Nuvve, Okkadu, Nee Sneham, Varsham, Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, Pournami, Vaana and Aata and for most of the films he was the single card lyricist. For "Ushakiran Movies" he wrote lyrics in films like Nuvve Kaavali, Istam, Anandam. With "Ram Gopal Varma", he has worked for many films, contributing lyrics, such as Siva, Antam, Kshana Kshanam, Gaayam, Govinda Govinda, Rangeli (Telugu dubbed version of Rangeela), Anaganaga Oka Roju, 50-50 (Telugu dubbed version of Daud), Satya (Telugu dubbed version), Prema Katha and form many production ventures by Ram Gopal Varma such as Money, Gulabi etc. And for most of them, he was the single card lyricist. With "K. Viswanath", he has worked for many films including his debut venture Sirivennela, Shrutilayalu, Swayamkrushi, Swarna Kamalam, Aapadbandhavudu, Swati Kiranam, Subha Sankalpam etc. K. Viswanath is also known to have introduced Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. "Krishna Vamsi" is known to be a big fan of Sitarama Sastry. The films for which Sitarama Sastry wrote lyrics, which were directed by Krishna Vamsi include Ninne Pelladatha, Gulabi, Sindhooram, Chandralekha, Murari, Khadgam, Chakram, Mahatma etc. and more recently Paisa. "Trivikram Srinivas" is a relative to Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. Sitarama Sastry wrote lyrics to films directed by Trivikram such as Nuvve Nuvve, Athadu, Jalsa , Khaleja, Son of Satyamurthy and Agnyaathavaasi