Veturi – an epitome of literatureIndiaGlitz [Sunday, May 23, 2010] Not among us today, one of the greatest poets and lyricists ever of Andhra Pradesh, Veturi Sundarama Murthy Sastry passed away following a cardiac arrest on 22nd May 2010. He was admitted to the Care Hospital in Hyderbad where he breathed his last. Veturi is survived by his wife and three sons. IndiaGlitz conveys sincere condolences to his family.
On 29th January 1936, Veturi Sundarama Murthy was born in a Brahmin family. After his education, Veturi worked as a journalist in leading Telugu magazines for 18 years before entering the film scenario to pen songs. His first break was in K.Vishwanath’s ‘O Seetha Katha’ writing a ‘Harikatha’ in the form of ‘Bharatha Naari Charithamu…’ Veturi was a river of words. Ever flowing with beautiful words, Veturi penned more than twelve thousand songs. Known for his love for the Telugu language, Veturi was a true Telugu patriot. Having won a National Award for his song ‘Raalipoye Puvva Neeku’ in ‘Maathrudevo Bhava’, he declined to accept the award as Telugu was not recognized as a classical and ancient language. A popular quote says ‘A Man is known by the people he has around’. With a whole lot of well wishers around, Veturi was not just a man of people he had but ‘A Man of Words’. Effortlessly penning both melodious songs as well as mass commercial hits, Veturi connected well with the Telugu audience. Songs filled with pathos or songs so lively, Vetturi made every word count. ‘Abba Nee Theeyani Dabba’ from ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari’ starring Chiranjeevi and Sri Devi, a flirty duet between the lead pair, received a lot of appreciation as the song dealt the love for two in a sensible yet sensuous way. Not just the lyricist he was, Veturi was also a poet who wrote beautiful poems on various topics especially Telugu. His love for the language is extraordinary and never compromised in the quality of language. His command over Telugu literature needs no description for his words described what he was. *Veturi offered his services for the last time for Mani Ratnam’s ‘Villain’ with music composed by A R Rahman.* A song is not just for a moment. It conveys what it preceded and what it succeeds. Songs penned by Veturi had the same essential quality. For such a great man, the littlest thing that could be offered is a tribute in English. ‘Words are eternal’ quoted by an anonymous person. ‘Veturi is eternal’ always with his songs that will never fade just like the glory of Telugu. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/57197.html -- - Regards ~ ~ A.R.Rajib ~ ~
