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{{Short description|Telugu poet and lyricist (1910–1983)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name =Sri Sri
| image = SRISRI.JPG
| imagesize = 
| caption = Sri Sri
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1910|4|30}}
| birth_place = [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br/>(present-day [[Andhra]], [[India]])
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1983|6|15|1910|4|30}}<ref name="news18" />
| death_place = [[Chennai|Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| birth_name = Srirangam Srinivasa Rao
| other_names =
| spouse = Venkata Ramanamma, Saroja
}}
'''Srirangam Srinivasa Rao''' (30 April 1910 – 15 June 1983), popularly known as '''Sri Sri''', was an Indian poet and lyricist who is known for his works in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] literature and films. Noted for his anthology ''[[Maha Prasthanam]]'', Sri Sri is a recipient of a [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]], a [[Nandi Awards|Nandi Award]] and a [[Sahitya Akademi Award]].

He was a member of Pen India, [[Sahitya Academy]], vice-president of the South Indian Film Writers Association, Madras and president of the Revolutionary Writers Association of Andhra.<ref>[[Chaso]] Dolls Wedding & Other Stories – Page xii introduction by Renee David Shulman, 194, Cāsō – 2012 "But Vizianagaram in the mid-twentieth century was also home to other literati including the most famous poet in modern Telugu, Sri Sri (Srirangam Srinivasa Rao); [[Arudra]], historian of Telugu literature, literary critic and poet; and [[Racakonda Visvanatha Sastri]], the short-story writer whose statue you can find on the Visakhapatnam beach...."</ref><ref>Dictionary of Hindu Literature Kuśa Satyendra – 2000 – Page 175 "Sriniwasaraw Srirangam (b 1910 Visakhapatnam). Telugu poet. Sri Sri, as he is popularly known, wrote his first poem at ..."</ref>

==Life==
Srirangam Srinivasa Rao, popularly known as Sri Sri, was born into a Telugu speaking family<ref>{{Cite news|last=Srihari|first=Gudipoodi|date=2 January 1910|title=In memory of Sri Sri|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dance/In-memory-of-Sri-Sri/article16298717.ece|access-date=2022-01-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> on 30 April 1910 in [[Visakhapatnam]] of present-day [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The eternal fragrance of Mahakavi Sri Sri|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2009/may/01/the-eternal-fragrance-of-mahakavi-sri-sri-45746.html|access-date=2021-01-03|website=The New Indian Express|date=15 May 2012 }}</ref> His parents were Pudipeddi Venkatramaniah and Atappakonda but was later adopted by Srirangam Suryanarayana. Sri Sri was schooled at Vishakhapatnam and graduated in [[BA (hons)|BA hons]] at [[Madras Christian College|Madras christian college]] in 1931. He started as a demonstrator at SVS College, Vizag in 1935 and joined as sub-editor at the daily, ''[[Andhra Prabha]]'' in 1938. He later worked at [[Akashavani|Delhi Akashavani]], [[Hyderabad State|The State of Hyderabad]], and the daily ''Andhra Vani'', in various positions.<ref name="news18">{{Cite web|last=Thanjavur|first=Kiran Kumar|date=2020-06-15|title=మహాకవి 'శ్రీశ్రీ' వర్థంతి.. ఆయన గురించి ఈ నిజాలు తెలుసా..|url=https://telugu.news18.com/news/movies/telugu-cinema-lyricist-sri-sri-srirangam-srinivasa-rao-death-anniversary-special-ta-537246.html|access-date=2021-01-03|website=[[News18 Telugu]]|language=te}}</ref> He later married Sarojini, with whom he had a son and three daughters, whose names were Mala Srinivasarao, Venkat Srinivasarao, Manjula Srinivasarao, Mangala Srinivasarao. One of his daughter is serving as a Judge of Madras High Court.

==Literary career==

[https://myhsk2020.com/myhsk2020/categories/shri-shri-pustkaalu Srirangam Srinivasa Rao] was the first true modern Telugu poet to write about contemporary issues that affected the day-to-day life of a common man in a style and metre which were not used in classical Telugu poetry. He moved poetry forward from traditional mythological themes to reflect more contemporary issues. The essence of his personality was captured by [[Gudipati Venkatachalam]] when he compared him with the great romantic Telugu poet [[Devulapalli Krishnasastri]]: “While Krishna Sastry made his anguish known to the whole world,  Sri Sri spoke in his voice about the anguish of the whole world. Krishna Sastry's pain was the pain of the world, while the world's pain became Sri Sri's pain.”<ref> Mahaprasthanam, Telugu Book, published by Vishalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad, June 1950 Pages 7-12</ref>
His book ''[[Maha Prasthanam]]'' (The Great Journey), an anthology of poems, is one of his major works. In one of the poems, "Jagannathuni Ratha Chakralu", Sri Sri addressed those who were suffering due to social injustices and said, "Don't cry, don't cry. The wheels of the chariot of Jagannath are coming; they are coming! The apocalyptic chant of the chariot wheels! Come, realize your dreams Rule your new world!"<ref>Pages 93 to 99 of Mahaprasthanam Telugu Book Published in 1950 by Vishalandhra Publications</ref> "Other major works include ''Siprali'' and ''Khadga Srushti'' ("Creation of the Sword").<ref>{{cite news |title= Portrait of a revolutionary|author= T. Venkata Rao|url= http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/09/16/stories/2006091603270200.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070715120222/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/09/16/stories/2006091603270200.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 15 July 2007|date= 16 September 2006|access-date=13 February 2012|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

==Telugu cinema==
He entered into Telugu cinema with Ahuti (1950), a Telugu-dubbed version of Junnarkar's ''Neera aur Nanda'' (1946). Some of the songs, such as "Hamsavale O Padava", "Oogisaladenayya", "Premaye jannana marana leela", scored by Saluri Rajeswara Rao, were major hits.<ref>Mahakavi Sri Sri : Makers of Indian Literature, Budaraju Radhakrishna, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, 3rd edition, 2006. ({{ISBN|81-260-0719-2}})</ref> Sri Sri was a screenwriter for several [[Telugu film]]s. He was one of the best film songwriters in India, he has penned lyrics for over 1000 soundtracks in Telugu. He was a great asset to the Telugu film industry.

== Literary style ==
He is a major radical poet (e.g. Prabhava) and novelist (e.g. Veerasimha Vijayasimhulu). He introduced [[free verse]] into his socially concerned poetry through Maha Prasthanam. He wrote visionary poems in a style and metre not used before in Telugu classical poetry.

According to Viplava Rachayitala Sangham leader G. Kalyan Rao, Sri Sri was a scientist, a thinker and a philosopher. Maoist ideologue and writer [[Varavara Rao]] opined that Sri Sri not only wrote poetry but also practiced what he said.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-05-02|title=Sri Sri's prose reflects his sincerity: Virasam leader|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/Sri-Sris-prose-reflects-his-sincerity-Virasam-leader/article16029180.ece|access-date=2021-01-03|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Work for human rights==
Sri Sri was the first President of Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee that was formed in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/history-of-naxalism/story-4f1rZukARGYn3qHOqDMEbM.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814222816/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/history-of-naxalism/story-4f1rZukARGYn3qHOqDMEbM.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 August 2016 | title=History of Naxalism| date=9 May 2003}}</ref>

== Awards and recognitions ==

===National honours===
*[[Sahithya Academy Award]] – 1972
*Soviet Land Nehru Award

=== Film awards ===
*[[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] –  [[Alluri Seetarama Raju (film)|''Alluri Seetarama Raju'']] for "Telugu Veera Levara" – 1974<ref>{{cite news|title=22nd National Film Awards|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/22nd_nff_1974.pdf|access-date=29 August 2012}}</ref>
*[[Nandi Award for Best Lyricist]] – ''[[Neti Bharatam]]'' – "Ardha Raatri Swatantram Andhakara Bandhuram" – 1983<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-03-13|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008)|url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|access-date=3 January 2021|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|language=te}}</ref>

===Other honours===
*[[Raja-Lakshmi Award]] in 1979 by [[Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation]] in Chennai

==Bibliography==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Prabhava (1928)
* Vaaram Vaaram (1946)
* Sampangi Thota (1947)
* [[Maha Prasthanam]] (1950)
* Amma (1952)
* Meemee (1954)
* [[Maro Prapancham]] (1956)
* Three Cheers for Man (1956)
* Charama Raathri (1957)
* Maanavudi Paatlu (1958)
* Sowdamini
* Gurajada (1959)
* Moodu Yebhailu (1964)
* Khadga Srushti (1966)
* Views and Reviews (1969)
* Sri Sri Sahityam (5 volumes) (1970)
* Sri Sri's Minnelani (1970)
* Rekka Vippina Revolution (1971)
* Vyasa Kreedalu (1973)
* Maro Moodu Yabhailu (1974)
* China Yaanam (1980)
* Maro Prasthanam (1980)
* Mahaa Prasthanam (1981)
* Paadavoyi Bharateeyuda (1983)
* New Frontiers (1983)
* Anantam
* Pra-Ja
{{div col end}}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film

! Song
|-
| 1956
| [[Ilavelupu]]
| Challani raja... O chandamama(చల్లని రాజా... ఓ చందమామా) 
|-
| 1958
| [[Mangalya Balam]]
| Vadina pule vikasinchene (వాడిన పూలే వికసించెనే) 
|-
| 1959
| [[Jayabheri]]
| nanduni charitamu vinuma
|-
| 1959
| [[Sabhash Ramudu]]
| jayammu nischayammura
|-
| 1961
| [[Bharya Bharthalu]]
| joruga husharuga
|-
| 1961
| [[Iddaru Mitrulu (1961 film)|Iddaru Mitrulu]]
| padavela radhika..
|-
| 1961
| [[Vagdanam]]
| ''Sri Nagaja Tanayam''
|-
| 1961
| [[Velugu Needalu]]
| Padavoyi Bharateeyudaa (పాడవోయి భారతీయుడా)<br>Kala kaanidi viluvainadi (కలకానిది విలువైనది)<br>O.. rangayyo pula rangayyo
|-
| 1962
| [[Aradhana (1962 film)|Aradhana]]
| na hrudayamlo nidurinche chelee..
|-
| 1963
|[[Nartanasala (1963 film)|Nartanasala]]
| evvari kosam ee mandahasam
|-
| 1963
| [[Punarjanma (1963 film)|Punarjanma]]
| evarivo.. neevevarivo
|-
| 1963
| [[Paruvu Pratishta]]
| A mabbu terala lona daagundi (sad)
|-
| 1964
| [[Dr. Chakravarthi]]
| manasuna manasai
|-
| 1964
| [[Gudi Gantalu]]
| neelona nanne nilipevu nede
|-
| 1964
| [[Bobbili Yuddham]]
| muripinche andhaale
|-
| 1964
| [[Manchi Manishi]]
| rananukunnavemo
|-
| 1964
| [[Sabhash Suri]]
| devudiki emi
|-
| 1965
| [[Preminchi Choodu (1965 film)|Preminchi Chudu]]
| dorikaaru doragaaru..
|-
| 1966
| [[Atma Gouravam]]
| valapulu virisina puvvule
|-
| 1969
| [[Atmeeyulu]]
| kallalo pelli pandiri
|-
|  1969
| [[Manushulu Marali]]
| turupu sindhurapu..
|-
| 1972
| [[Kalam Marindi]]
| mara ledule ee kalam
|-
| 1973
| [[Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973 film)|Devudu Chesina Manushulu]]
| Devudu Chesina Manushulara
|-
| 1973
| [[Desoddharakulu]]
| madi madi.. suchi suchi
|-
| 1974
| [[Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974 film)|Alluri Seetharama Raju]]
| Telugu veera levara (National Award Winning Song)
|-
| 1974
| [[Bhoomi Kosam]]
| evaro vastarani
|-
| 1975
| [[Balipeetam]]
| kalasi padudaam
|-
| 1975
| [[Devudu Lanti Manishi]]
| kandalu
|-
| 1976
| [[Kolleti Kapuram]]
| iddarame
|-
| 1976
| [[Paadi Pantalu]]
| pani chese raitanna
|-
| 1976
| [[Ramarajyamlo Raktapatam]]
| ivvala randi
|-
| 1977
| [[Prema Lekhalu]]
| ee roju
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Oorummadi Brathukulu]]''
| ''Sramaika Jeevana Soundaryaniki Samanamainadi Lene Ledoyi''
|-
| 1977
| [[Yamagola]]
| samaraniki nede prarambham
|-
| 1977
| [[Edureeta|Edureetha]]
| Edureethaku antham leda?
|-
| 1978
| [[Karunamayudu]]
| devudu ledani anakunda
|-
| 1979
| [[Gorintaku (1979 film)|Gorintaku]]
| ilaga vachhi
|-
| 1979
| [[Kaliyuga Mahabharatam]]
| ee samaram
|-
| 1980
| [[Ammayiki Mogudu Mamaki Yamudu]]
| chudara.. Telugu sodara
|-
| 1980
| [[Sardar Papa Rayudu]] 
| burrakatha on Alluri Seetharama Raju
|-
| 1981
| [[Aakali Rajyam]] 
| Oo Mahatma
|-
| 1982
| [[Eenadu]]
| randi kadali randi
|-
| 1982
| [[Manchu Pallaki]]
| manishe manideepam
|-
| 1982
| [[Viplava Sankham]]
| Muyinchina oka veeruni kanthamm, Kontamandi Kurravallu
|-
| 1983
| [[Neti Bharatam]]
| ardha ratri swatantram
|-
| 1984 
| [[Maha Prasthanam]]
| maro prapancham pilichindi
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDB name|nm0820223}}

{{National Film Award Best Lyrics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sri, Sri}}
[[Category:1910 births]]
[[Category:1983 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian lyricists]]
[[Category:Indian atheists]]
[[Category:Telugu-language lyricists]]
[[Category:Telugu poets]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Telugu]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:University of Madras alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Marxists]]
[[Category:Writers from Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category:Indian male poets]]
[[Category:Indian Marxist writers]]
[[Category:Poets from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Best Lyrics National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category: People from Uttarandhra]]