The 66-year-old lyricist SirivennelaSeetharama Sastry, who was awarded the Padma Shri in the year 2019, passed awayon Tuesday. He was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) atKrishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital in Secunderabad. He passedaway due to lung cancer-related complications.
KIMS medical director Sambit Sahu said onTuesday that he was put on ECMO to support his lungs in ICU and was kept underobservation. His body will be kept at the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce atFilmnagar at 7 am on Wednesday.
Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry wrote more than3000 songs for 800 films. He acquired the name Sirivennela after writing thelyrics for K. Viswanath's directorial film of the same name in1986. Sastry has garnered several awards including eleven state NandiAwards and four Filmfare Awards South for his work. In2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award inIndia, for his contributions to the field of arts and aesthetics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was saddened bySastry’s demise. He wrote on Twitter,
“Saddened by the passing away of theoutstanding Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. His poetic brilliance andversatility could be seen in several of his works. He made many efforts topopularise Telugu. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti."
The news of Sastry’s demise has sent shockwaves across the Telugu film industry. Actor Venkatesh Daggubati offered hiscondolences to Sastry's family and wrote:"Disheartened to hear that Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu isno more. Deepest condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest inpeace."
Actor Jr NTR, actor Siddharth, music composerS Thaman and other industry celebrities also paid tribute to SirivennelaSeetharama.