'''Arudra (1925-98)'''

Telugu poet and film lyricist born in Vizag, AP, as Bhagavathula Shankara Sastry. Started publishing poetry as a teenager, e.g. Loha Vihangalu. Initially influenced by radical poet Sri Sri. After a brief stint in the army, he became a professional writer under the name Arudra. Early writing was romantic, but became more political under the influence of the Telangana anti-zamindari movements (cf. Twamevaham). Major poetry anthologies include Kunalamma Padyalu (1964), Enchina Padyalu (1965) and Intinti Padyalu (1969). Also wrote patriotic songs during the India- China war (1962). Compiled an anthology of Telugu literature (Samagrandhra Sahityam). Film début in the Telugu version (Beedala Patlu) of Ramnoth’s classic Ezhai Padum Padu (1950). Made his reputation in films with Premalekhalu (1953), the Telugu dubbed version of Raj Kapoor’s Aah (1953). Described as the last of the pre-rock generation film lyricists. Recently worked for Bapu (Pelli Pustakam, 1991). Classic film lyrics anthologised by V.A.K. Ranga Rao in Kondagali Tirigindi.

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