Revanth seeks Padma Shri for poet Andesri

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy stated that the State government will write to the Centre to honour late poet and lyricist Andesri with the Padma Shri award, and at the same time, one of his children will be given a government job, in addition to building a memorial for him.

Speaking to reporters after attending the last rites of Andesri at Ghatkesar on the city outskirts, he said the government had recommended his name to the Centre last year itself for the award, but there was no response. “We will again write to the Centre to consider conferring the award posthumously,” he said, appealing to Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar to extend their cooperation.

Mr. Reddy also announced that the State government will establish a Memorial Park in memory of Andesri and also provide a government job to one of his family members.

The government will publish 20,000 copies of Andesri’s collection of poems, ‘Nippula Vaagu’, and make it available in all the libraries. He said the book would showcase the contribution of the late poet’s work for Telangana’s cause, and compared it with religious texts of all faiths.

Remembering his personal association with the poet, Mr. Reddy said, “When I was TPCC president, I met him and requested him to continue working for the welfare of Telangana people. Every song written by Gaddar and Andesri inspired the masses.” He noted that the State Cabinet had earlier decided to include “Jaya Jayahe Telangana” in the school curriculum.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister participated in the funeral procession, which was attended by thousands of admirers, writers, and cultural figures. The procession began at Lalapet Jayashankar Stadium and passed through Tarnaka and Uppal before reaching Ghatkesar, where the last rites were performed with full police honours.

The Chief Minister himself offered a shoulder to the bier, and later consoled the bereaved family, including Andesri’s wife Mallubai, daughters Vakkulamma, Vennela, and Vekuva, and son Dattu.

Several ministers and dignitaries attended the funeral, including D. Sridhar Babu, Jupally Krishna Rao, D. Anasuya Seethakka, Ponnam Prabhakar, Adluri Laxman Kumar, government advisors Vem Narender Reddy, K. Kesava Rao, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud and literary enthusiasts.