Devulapalli Krishnasastri


Devulapalli Venkata Krishnasastri was a Telugu poet, playwright and translator. He is known as Andhra Shelley.

Early life

Krishnasastri was born in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. He was born in Ravuvari Chandrampalem and was brought up in Pitapuram in a family of court-poets.
He grew interest in English literature while he was in his high school.

Career

Krishnasastri started writing poetry from a very young age. Krishnasastri's works changed significantly after he met Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan in 1929.
Krishnasastri joined All India Radio in 1945 and wrote a number of plays for it.
He also translated Sri Goda Devi's Tamil Tiruppavai into Telugu Keertanaas. Other translations of Tiruppavai are available - but they are all word for word. His translation is unique because he had taken the central idea of each Pasuram, made it into pallavi and wove around it the rest of the paasuram into anupallavi and charanam. They were set to pure carnatic music, even as they were composed, by Amruthavalli Sundaram. The publication with notation, is Orient Longman.

Literary works

Some of Krishnasastri's famous works include :
Dr. Devulapalli Venkata Krishna Sastry, who established himself as Andhra-Shelly, came to the lime-light in the Telugu filmdom too - thanks to the story and lyrics he provided to the all-time Telugu classical hit "Malleeswari". He also helped in the script and screen-play writing to the veteran Director-Producer DR. B. N. Reddy. Dr. Sastry's poetry was always romantic and passionate - fit for fine arts like music and dance. Hence his lyrics caught the imagination of the Telugu people - from a lay man to the well-known critics of the day. When it comes to movies, his lyrics swang the Telugu-audiences and made them revel in the skies. He wrote about 160 good lyrics to about 70 films during the 1950s to 1970s. They include Malleswari, Naa Illu, En Veedu, Bangaru Papa, Ekaveera, Bhagya Rekha, Rakta Kanneeru, Bhakta Tukaram, Karthika Deepam, Gorintaku, Megha Sandesam, Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.
YearFilmSong
1951MalliswariAakaasa Veedhilo Hayiga Egirevu Desa Desalanni Tirigi Chusevu
1953Naa IlluAdigadigo Gagana Seema Andamaina Chandamama Adigo
1954Bangaru PapaYavvana Madhuvanilo
1957Bhagya RekhaNeevundeda Kondapai Naasaami
1959Raja MakutamSadiseyako Gali Sadiseya Boke
1965Bangaru PanjaramPagalaite Doravera Raatiri Naa Raajuvula
1967SukhadukhaluIdi Mallela Velayani Idi Vennela Masamani
1968Undamma Bottu PedataRavamma Mahalakhsmi Ravamma
1969EkaveeraPrati Raatri Vasantha Raatri
1970Mayani MamathaRaanika Neekosam Sakhi, Raadika Vasanta Maasam
1971Kalyana MandapamChukkalu Pade Subha Mantram
1971Antha Mana Manchike Maata Chalada Manasu Chalada
1972Manchi RojulochayiNeloto Needa Annadi Nanu Taakaradani
1973Bhakta TukaramGhana Ghana Sundaraa Karuna Rasa Mandiraa
1973Neramu SikshaChesina Papam Needi Chitikina Bratukinkokaridi
1974Amma ManasuSrishailabhavanaa Meluko
1975BalipeetamKusalama Neeku Kusalamena
1975Cheekati VeluguluCheekati Velugula Kaugitilo Chinde Kumkuma Vannelu
1976Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee ClubNaa Peru Bikari, Naa Daari Edari
1978SeetamalakshmiMaavi Chigugu Tinagane Koyila Palikena
1978Sri Rama PattabhishekamEe Gangakenta Digulu Ee Gaalikenta Gubulu
1979GorintakuGorinta Poochindi Komma Lekunda
1979Karthika DeepamAaraneekuma Ee Deepam Karteeka Deepam
1980Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari MahatyamVeena Naa Veena Eruguduva Neevainaa
1983Megha SandesamAakulo Aakunai Puvvulo Puvvunai

Awards