Thousands bid tearful farewell to Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry

Colleagues and fans of Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, on Wednesday, bid a tearful farewell to the legendary lyricist. The 66-year-old literary giant died on Tuesday evening due to lung cancer.

Several members of the film and political fraternity thronged the Film Chamber on Wednesday morning to pay their homage. Actors Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Allu Arjun, Nani, Rana Daggubati, directors SS Rajamouli, Trivikram Srinivas, Gunasekhar, music composers MM Keeravani, Mani Sharma, and lyricist Ramajogayya Sastry were among those who paid their last respects.

Nagarjuna, who worked with Sirivennela in hits like Sankeerthana, Janaki Ramudu, Siva, and Ninne Pelladutha, said that he was someone who had great affection towards their family. "Whenever I met him, he would greet me with a smile and say, 'How are you doing, my friend?'. I sat with him while he wrote Telusa Manasa (Criminal) song. My other song, Onamalu Nerpalani Anukunna (Iddaru Iddare), which also featured my father (late Akkineni Nageswara Rao), was also penned by him. I am sure he will fill the halls of heaven with these songs."

Jr NTR said that his lyrics and songs are immortal. "Even though his pen falls silent, Sirivennela, like his songs, lives on forever," he added.

Health Minister of Telangana, T Harish Rao termed the demise of Sirivennala an irreparable loss to Telugu cinema. "His lyrics are always special and had no room for double meanings or vulgarity. He awakened the society with his thoughtful writings," added Harish Rao.

Recalling memories with the legend, Pawan Kalyan said, "I know him since Rudraveena days. During the music sittings of Johnny, we discussed a lot about literature and values. He would have led the Telugu film lyrical fraternity for many decades to come, but he left us in tears now."

Mahesh Babu said he was shocked beyond words to hear the passing away of Sirivennela. "His death has now left us directionless and I cannot imagine Telugu music scene without him," he stated.