‘Songs that powered a statehood movement’: Telangana state anthem lyricist Andesri dies at 64
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the demise of Andesri, and said that the poet’s death has dealt an irreparable blow to the state's literature.
Andesri, a renowned poet and lyricist who penned the Telangana state anthem, Jaya Jaya Hai Telangana, passed away on Monday morning. He was 64.
According to doctors at Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad, the poet collapsed at his residence in Lalaguda on Monday morning. Though he was immediately shifted to Gandhi hospital, his health deteriorated, and he passed away due to a cardiac arrest at around 7.30 am, Dr N Vani, Superintendent, Gandhi Hospital, told The Indian Express.
“He had hypertension. On Friday (November 7), he had complained of sweating and chest discomfort and was about to be brought to the hospital when he refused treatment and decided to stay back at his house. On Monday, he was found collapsed at his residence. The cause of death is cardiac arrest,” Dr Vani said.
Andesri is survived by three daughters and a son.
The poet, who had not received any formal schooling, was the rage of Telangana agitation because of his fast-beat song – Jaya Jaya Hai Telangana – which was sung by hundreds of students and other statehood agitators.
The passing of Ande Sri leaves a deep void in our cultural and intellectual landscape. His thoughts reflected the soul of Telangana. A prolific poet and thinker, he was the voice of the people, articulating their struggles, aspirations and undying spirit. His words had the power…
“In Osmania University, which was the epicentre of protests for Telangana statehood, Andesri’s songs were played and sung over and over. They contributed to the revolutionary fervour of the movement,” former Osmania University professor and MLC M Kodandaram told The Indian Express.
“From 1996 onwards, we travelled together through the length and breadth of Telangana – him singing the songs and me speaking about separate statehood,” Kodandaram reminisced.
Andesri was also known for his classic songs, including Mayamai Pothunnadamma, in which he captured the essence of human existence. This song talks about how humane people have started disappearing from the face of the earth.
The poet earned a living by working as a cowherd in his village. He later became a construction worker and supervisor.
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Born on July 18, 1961, in the Rebarthi village of Maddur mandal in the present Jangaon district, his original name was Ande Ellayya.
After the formation of Telangana state in 2014, Andesri was awarded a doctorate by Kakatiya University.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the demise of Andesri and said that the poet’s death has dealt an irreparable blow to the state’s literature. Revanth Reddy wrote, “Andesri’s yeoman services in the achievement of Telangana statehood are praiseworthy and Telangana people will remember forever his songs”.
Andesri will be laid to rest with state honours, Revanth Reddy promised.
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Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former chief minister of Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao also expressed his shock at the passing away of the poet.
“Andesri played a pivotal role in the cultural movement for Telangana’s statehood. Andesri’s contribution through his songs and writings strengthened the spirit of the Telangana movement,” Chandrashekar Rao wrote in a statement.
He termed the poet’s death an irreparable loss to Telangana. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice.
Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare. In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include:
Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India.
Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism.
Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities.
National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting.
Authoritativeness & Trust
A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society.
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