Garimella Satyanarayana was born in a poor family in Gonepadu village, near Priya agraharam, in Narasannapetataluk of Srikakulam district in 1893. His parents were Venkatanarasimham and Suramma. Satyanarayana is identified by his famous song - "మాకొద్దీ తెల్ల దొరతనం ". He himself used to sing this song. This particular song was a popular in the households of Andhra Pradesh during the Indian independence movement. He was helped to study by a kind lawyer, called Kannepalli Narasimha Rao and finish graduation. He worked as a clerk in collector's office of Ganjam district and as a teacher at a high school in Vijayanagaram. He gave up his studies by the call of Mahatma Gandhi to participate in Non-Cooperation movement. During this time, he wrote his famous song Maakoddee Telladoratanamu for which he was jailed in 1922 for one year. After the release from Jail, he continued his participation in the movement by singing songs in villages. For this he was sentenced for two and half years rigorous imprisonment. His entire family died when he was in jail. He also ran a restaurant called Kalpaka Vilaas. He died in a destitute state on 18 December 1952 after spending several years in poverty.
Telugu translation of "Tirukkural" and "Naandiyar" from Tamil.
Telugu translation of "Tallikota" from Kannada.
An English poem "Heart of the Nation,"
Several articles in various daily and weekly journals like Grihalakshmi, Krishna Patrika, Aanandavani, Dhanka, Andhra Prabha and Bhaarati.
Maakoddee Tella doratanamu
An English translation of his most famous poem Maakoddee Tella doratanamu in folk song format: We don't want this White rule - Garimella Satyanarayana We don't want this White man's rule O God We don't want this White man's rule We don't want this.... 2 Stalking on our lives Robbing us of our honour We don't want this.... 2 Stalking on our.... The eighteen lamps have doused off, but A handful of rice is hard to come by Throws dirt into our mouths Wants us to fight with his dogs to eat our food We don't want this.... 2 For taxes he's devised ways Sells toddy and liquor Looted Chattels and belongings Drunken snatched that mother's wedding jewellery. Threw dust in to our eyes Pushed us close to our grave We don't want this.... 2 Brought in Courts, created political parties. Murdered the charitable character Raised thirst for money Raised bad thoughts Showing off his style he wooed us We don't want this.... 2 Brings on the Gandhi cap Don't come says Don't come to school like this Takes away the cap and moves on It is rebellion against State It is all over the Country We don't want this.... 2 Stalking on our.... We don't want this White man's rule
