Acharya Athreya

Acharya Athreya was an Indian playwright and a poet known for his work related to social issues. Athreya was born on 7th May, 1921 in Sullurpeta which is located in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh under the British rule. His full name is Kilambi Venkata Narasimhacharyulu. He began nurturing his writing skills by writing several plays during his days as a student. However, he dedicated his time in participating in Quit India Movement, which also landed him in jail too. After his release, he did a lot of odd jobs such as being a clerk in a settlement office.

He resumed his passion for writing by donning the role of an assistant editor of Zamin Raithu, a Nellore-based magazine. He wrote the script for the 1951 Telugu movie Deeksha for which he also served as lyricist as well. His first recorded song “Porra Baaboo Po!” was sung by MS Rama Rao. Most of his works emphasised the agony faced by individuals due to social taboos such as untouchability, poverty, class-divide and many more. However, he was also famous for his sad songs particularly revolving around the theme of “love and dejection.” He wrote the play “NGO” in 1948 which is still considered as the benchmark in Andhra drama universe.

With the vocabulary being simplistic, people loved to hear his songs and poems which earned him the title of “Manasu Kavi” which roughly translates to “poet of the heart.” Surely, he understood the feelings of people having broken hearts in love. He wrote dialogues, stories, and songs for more than 100 Telugu films. In 1955, he created the song “Raka Raka Vacchavu Chandamama” for Ardhangi. In 1957, he penned the lines of two songs “Kaarulo Shikarukelle” and “Aadutu Paadutu Panichestunte” which featured in Todi Kodallu.

His famous songs include “Gunde Mantalaaripe”, “Mudda Banthi Poovulo”, “Mouname Nee Bhaasha”, “Manasu Moogadi”, “and Manasu gathi inthe”, “Ekkada vunna emaina, Andamaina Jeevithamu Addhaala”, “O Hrudayam Leni Priyuraala”, “Paadamani Nannadaga Valena” from the flick Doctor Chakravarthy, “Chitapata Chinukulu Paduthuvunte” which paved the way for rain-themed songs into Tollywood. He contributed as a dialogue writer in films with Velugu Needalu, Murali Krishna Bio Coming Soon... >> Read More... ”, Jayabheri, Pelli Kanuka, Mangalya Balam, Moogamanasulu and other countless projects. Apart from working in the cinema industry, he never left his grassroots: theatre plays.

He has 20-25 acts to his name including Ashok Samrat, Edureeta, and Parivartanam. In 1981, the state government conferred Nandi Award for Best Lyricist on Athreya for the lyrics of Andamaina Lokamani from Tholikoodi Koochindi. For his colossal impact in the world of literature, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Hyderabad-based Dr BR Ambedkar Open University. He helmed the movie Vagdanam in 1961 and had minor roles in Adarsam and Kode Nagu. Athreya died on 13 September, 1989 at the age of 68 with Prema as his last project. Years after his death, his works remain immortal.