C. Narayana Reddy

Dr. C. Narayana Reddy
Dr. C. Narayana Reddy.
Born(1931-07-19)19 July 1931
Hanumajipet, Karimnagar, Hyderabad State, British India
(now Rajanna Sircilla, Telangana, India)
Died12 June 2017(2017-06-12) (aged 85)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Alma materOsmania University
Occupation(s)Poet, playwright, composer, artist, professor, politician
AwardsSahitya Akademi Award (1973)
Padma Shri (1977)
Kala Prapoorna (1978)
Jnanpith Award (1988)
Padma Bhushan (1992)
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
Signature

Cingireddi Narayana Reddy (29 July 1931 – 12 June 2017), popularly known as CiNaRe,[1] was an Indian Telugu-language poet, writer, and critic. He had produced over eighty literary works including poems, prose-plays, lyrical plays, translations, and ghazals. He was also a professor, film lyricist, actor, and Rajya Sabha politician. He also served as the Vice Chancellor of Telugu University.[2][3]

Narayana Reddy won several awards in his career including the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honour, for Viswambhara in 1988. He was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2014, the highest honour of the Sahitya Academy, India's National Academy of Letters.[4][5] The Government of India honored him with the fourth and third highest civilian awards, Padma Shri (1977) and Padma Bhushan (1992).[6]

Narayana Reddy also ventured into the film industry as a lyricist with the 1962 film Gulebakavali Katha.[7] Subsequently, he penned the lyrics for more than 3,500 songs[7] and won two state Nandi Awards for Best Lyricist.[8]

Early life and career

Cingireddi Narayana Reddy was born on 29 July 1931 in the village of Hanumajipet in present-day Rajanna Sircilla district of Telangana to a Telugu family of Malla Reddy and Buchamma.[5]: 2  His father was a farmer and his mother was a housewife. He did his primary, secondary and higher secondary in Urdu medium as education in Telugu was not available under Nizam's rule. He studied Telugu privately during schooling in Sircilla under the guidance and tutelage of Gurus and Satavadhanis Seshadri Ramana Kavulu of Machilipatnam.[9]

After completing his higher secondary education Karimnagar, he went on to study at the Osmania University, Hyderabad in 1949.[10] He took Telugu as his subject during his graduation. Reddy received his Master of Arts degree in 1954 and became a college lecturer in 1955. He received Ph.D. in 1962 on "Modern Traditions of Telugu" and became a professor in 1976.[10][5]: 2  He learned of modern Telugu literary giants and read books written by Gurram Jashua, Sri Sri, Devulapalli Krishna Sastry. He was mentored by the legendary poet and Jnanpith awardee Kavi Samrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana of Vijayawada, the first principal of Karimnagar Government College (1959–61).[1][11]

Naryana Reddy married Suseela and with her had four daughters. Reddy instituted an award named after his wife which is presented annually to the female writers.[12][13] Reddy was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, in August 1997.[14]

Literary works

Reddy's first published work was a poetry collection Navvani Puvvu (The Bashful Flower) in 1953 and later went on to publish several other works like Vennela Vada (The Monnlight Town, 1959), Jalapatham (The Waterfall), Divvela Muvvalu (Candle Bells, 1959), Rutu Chakram (Cycle of Seasons, 1964), Madhyatharagathi Mandahasam (The Smile of the Middle Class, 1968), and Mantalu Manavudu (Flames and the Man, 1970).

His 1980 published poetic work Viswambhara (The Earth) received wide critical acclaim and has been translated into several Indian languages like Kannada by Mr. Markandepuram Srinivas, Malayalam by Dr. Sushma Shankar. The Sahitya Akademi noted of it, "This monumental work in free verse depicts the journey of man through the ages as he strives to attain spiritual, artistic, and scientific excellence."[5]: 3  Bhimsen Nirmal translated Viswambhara into Hindi as Viswambhara and his Telugu poetry collection Prapanchapadulu was translated into Sanskrit as Prapanchapadi by R. Sri Hari. Nirmal and Hari won the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award for these works in 1991 and 2001 respectively.[15]

Reddy's Nagarjuna Sagaram is a Buddhist epic poetry based on a heart-breaking love story of a lady Santisri who comes to study Buddhism and falls in love with a sculptor Padmadeva.[16][17] His 1957 Karpura Vasantha Rayulu was an epic poem retelling the romance between the King Kumara Giri of Reddy dynasty and his court dancer Lakuma. The book was dedicated to Telugu historian Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma whose main contributions were regarding the recording of Reddy history.[17][18]

Along with poetry, Reddy also composed musical plays Ramappa (1960), based on Kakatiya dynasty and the collection of ten plays Narayana Reddy Natikalu (Play-lets of Narayana Reddy, 1978). He published analysis of modern Telugu poetry, its precursors, its progression through various phases and its modern-day forms in Adhunikandhara Kavitamu - Sampradayamulu Prayogamalu: Modern Telugu Poetry Tradition and Experiment. His 1997 published book Matti Manishi Akasam (Man Beyond Earth and Sky) consists of a long poem of around hundred pages.[5]: 3, 4  He wrote a few travelogues about his travels to various countries including a tour of Malaysia in Muchataga Moodu Varalu, about Russia in Soviet Russsialo Padi Rojulu and about the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France in Paschatya Desallo Yabai Rojulu.[5]: 5 

Film career

Reddy's first film as a lyricist was Gulebakavali Katha (1962) which was directed by N. T. Rama Rao. Reddy later went on to write more than 3000 film songs. His last song was for the film Inkennallu (2011) which was directed by Syed Rafi.[12] He won the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist twice for the song "Kantene Amma Ani Ante Ela?" from the movie Preminchu (2001) and "Idigo Raayalaseema Gadda" from the movie Seetayya (2003).[8]

Bibliography

The following literary works of Reddy have been published:[19][20]

  1. Jalapatham (1953)
  2. Navvani Puvvu (1953)
  3. Viswageeti (1954)
  4. Nagarjuna Sagaram (1955)
  5. Narayana Reddy Geyalu (1955)
  6. Ajantha Sundari (1955)
  7. Swapna Bhangam (1957)
  8. Karpura Vasantarayalu (1957)
  9. Tene Patalu (1957)
  10. Viswanatha Nayudu (1959)
  11. Divvela Muvvalu (1959)
  12. Vennelawada (1959)
  13. Geya Natikalu (1959)
  14. Vachanakavitha (Cini Kavi Manasnivali) (1959)
  15. Ramappa (1960)
  16. Cinare Geethalu (1963)
  17. Rutu Chakram (1964)
  18. Sama Darsanam (1964)
  19. Aksharala Gavakshalu (1965)
  20. Vyasavahini (1965)
  21. Jati Ratnam (1967)
  22. Adhunikandhra Kavitvam (1967)
  23. Sampradaya Reethulu (1967)
  24. Madhyatharagathi Mandahasam (1968)
  25. Maro Harivillu (1969)
  26. Gandhiyam (1969)
  27. Meerabai (1969)
  28. Mantalu - Manavudu (1970)
  29. Mukhamukhi (1971)
  30. Manishi - Chilaka (1972)
  31. Mandhara Makarandhalu (1973)
  32. Patalo Emindi - Na Matalo Emundhi (First Volume) (1974)
  33. Patalo Emindi - Na Matalo Emundhi (Second Volume) (1974)
  34. Marpu Na Tirpu (1974)
  35. Sikharalu Loyalu (1974)
  36. Tejassu Na Tapassu (1975)
  37. Taratarala Telugu Velugu (1975)
  38. Pagale Vennela (1976)
  39. Inti Peru Chaitanyam (1976)
  40. Bhoomika (1977)
  41. Narayana Reddy Natikalu (1978)
  42. Mathanam (1978)
  43. Mrutyuvu Nunchi (1979)
  44. Muthyala Kokila (1979)
  45. Viswambhara (1980)
  46. Soviet Russia lo Padi Rojulu (1980)
  47. Maa Ooru Matladindi (1980)
  48. Rekkalu (1982)
  49. Amara Veerudu Bhagat Singh (1982)
  50. Nadaka Na Talli (1983)
  51. Kalam Anchu Mida (1985)
  52. Telugu Gazallu (1986)
  53. Kavitha Na Chirunama (1988)
  54. Arohana (1991)
  55. Jathiki Oopiri Swatantryam (1993)
  56. Drukpatham (1994)
  57. Bhoogolamanta Manishi Bomma (1996)
  58. Matti Manishi Aakasam (1997)
  59. Gadilo Samudram (1998)
  60. Vyaktitvam (1999)
  61. Dooraalanu Doosukotchi (2000)
  62. Muchataga Moodu Varalu (2001)
  63. Paschatya Desallo Yabai Rojulu. (2001)
  64. Samooham Vaipu (2008)
  65. Manishiga Jeevinchalani (2009)
  66. Viswam Nalo Unnappudu (2010)
  67. Nachoopu Repati Vaipu (2011)
  68. Vakkuku Vayasu Ledu (2012)
  69. Lethakiranalu (2013)
  70. Alalethe Adugulu (2013)
  71. Ningikegirina Chetlu (2014)
  72. Cinare Gazallu
  73. Prapancha Padulu
  74. Kalam Sakshiga
  75. Udayam Na Hrudayam
  76. Jathiya Kavi Sammelanamloni Vividha Bhasha Kavithala Anuvaadhalu
  77. Telugukavitha Layathmakatha
  78. Saptati Oka Liptaga
  79. Moving Spirit (English)
  80. Rekkala Santhakalu
  81. Jwalaga Jeevinchalani
  82. Konagotimida Jeevitham
  83. Kalisi Nadiche Kalam
  84. Evee Aa Jeeva Nadhulu
  85. That's What I said (English)

Discography

Sources: [21][22][23]

Year Song(s) Film Music Director Ref(s)
1962 Nannu Dhochukunduvate Gulebakavali Katha Joseph, Vijaya Krishna Murthy [23][24]
1964 Telisindile Telisindile Ramudu Bheemudu Pendyala Nageswara Rao [25]
1964 Pagale Vennela Pooja Phalam Saluri Rajeswara Rao [26]
1966 Changure Bangaru Raja Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam T. V. Raju [27]
1969 Bhale Manchi Roju Jarigina Katha Ghantasala [23]
1969 Enthavaru Gaani Bhale Thammudu T. V. Raju [28]
1970 Telugu Jaathi Manadi Thalla? Pellama? T. V. Raju [29]
1970 Ee Reyi Theeyanadi Chitti Chellelu Saluri Rajeswara Rao [30]
1972 Gunna Mamidi Komma Meedha Bala Mitrula Katha Satyam [23]
1973 Ee Jeevana Tharangalalo Jeevana Tarangalu J. V. Raghavulu [23]
1974 Vasthadu Naa Raju Alluri Seetarama Raju P. Adinarayana Rao [31]
1976 Naa Madhi Ninnu Pilichindi Aradhana Saluri Hanumantha Rao [32]
1977 Chithram Bhalaare Vichitram Dana Veera Soora Karna Pendyala Nageswara Rao [33]
1978 Sipaayi O Sipaayi Akbar Salim Anarkali C. Ramchandra [34]

Awards

Reddy won several awards for his literary work which includes the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973 for his poetry collection Mantalu Manavudu,[35] the Jnanpith Award for Viswambhara in 1988 and was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2014, the highest honour of the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters.[4][5] Reddy was also awarded an honorary Kala Prapoorna by Andhra University in 1978,[14] the Soviet Land Nehru award in 1982,[14] and the Raja-Lakshmi Award by the Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation in 1988, "Visishta Puraskaram" of the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University in 2011.[36] The Government of India honored him with the fourth and third highest civilian awards, Padma Shri (1977) and Padma Bhushan (1992).[6]

He also won the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist twice for the song "Kantene Amma Ani Ante Ela?" from the movie Preminchu (2001) and "Idigo Raayalaseema Gadda" from the movie Seetayya (2003).[8]

Death

Reddy developed health complication and complained of chest pain and was shifted to the Care Hospital.[37][38] He died on 12 June 2017 at the age of 85.

References

  1. ^ a b "CiNaRe: A pioneer of 'free verse' in Telugu literature". The New Indian Express. 13 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  2. ^ Azam, Kousar J. (9 August 2017). Languages and Literary Cultures in Hyderabad. Routledge. p. 181. ISBN 978-1-351-39399-7.
  3. ^ India Today. Vol. 14. Living Media India Pvt. Limited. 1989. p. 83.
  4. ^ a b "The Jnanpith Award: All the past awardees from 1965 to now". Outlook India. 25 July 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Sahitya Akademi Fellowship: C. Narayana Reddy" (PDF). Sahitya Akademi. 6 July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2014)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs (India). 21 May 2014. pp. 37–72, 94–117. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  7. ^ a b "CiNaRe: A pioneer of 'free verse' in Telugu literature". The New Indian Express. 13 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 12 October 2022.(in Telugu)
  9. ^ "Literary legend walks into history". 13 June 2017.
  10. ^ a b Suresh Krishnamoorthy (12 June 2017). "Jnanpith winner C. Narayana Reddy passes away". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Dr. C Narayana Reddy || Cheppalani Undi (చెప్పాలని ఉంది) ||Bhaarat Today". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
  12. ^ a b Vishnupriya Bhandaram (12 April 2012). "Poetic parlance". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  13. ^ "C Narayana Reddy passes away: A look at his life". The Indian Express. New Delhi. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  14. ^ a b c "Profile: C. Narayana Reddy". The South Asian Literary Recordings Project. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Akademi Translation Prizes (1989-2015)". Sahitya Akademi. 13 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  16. ^ Shu Hikosaka, G. John Samuel, Cannarttanam Paarttacarati (1992). Buddhist Themes in Modern Indian Literature. p. 174. Retrieved 13 June 2017. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b Amaresh Datta (1987). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 598, 919. ISBN 9788126018031. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  18. ^ The Text and the Context. Today & Tomorrows Prin.& Pubs. 1994. p. 59. ISBN 9788170191827. Retrieved 13 June 2017. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  19. ^ "Complete Works of Jnanpith Awardee, Padmabhusan Dr. C. Narayana Reddy". Dr. C. Narayana Reddy Official Website. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  20. ^ "డా. సినారె సమగ్ర సాహిత్య సంపుటాల వివరాలు" (PDF). Dr. C. Narayana Reddy Official Website (in Telugu).
  21. ^ "Dr.C.Narayana Reddy songs". Saregama. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  22. ^ "Lyrics by Dr.C.Narayana reddy". Raagabox. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Dr. C. Narayana Reddy Playlist". Wynk. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  24. ^ Nadadhur, Srivathsan (13 June 2017). "C Narayana Reddy: He owned the literary throne". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  25. ^ "Ramudu Bhimudu (1964)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Pooja Phalamu (1964)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam - Song Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Bhale Thammudu (1969)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 5 April 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Thalla Pellama (1970)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Chitti Chellelu (1970)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  31. ^ "Alluri Seetarama Raju - Song Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Aaradhana (1976)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  33. ^ "Dhana Veera Soora Karna (1977)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1978)-Song_Booklet". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Sahitya Akademi Award in Telugu". Sahitya Akademi. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  36. ^ "C. Narayana Reddy selected for Telugu varsity award". The Hindu. Hyderabad. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  37. ^ "Doyen of Telugu literature C Narayana Reddy dies in Hyderabad". Hindustan Times. Hyderabad. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  38. ^ "Telugu poet and writer C Narayana Reddy, a recipient of the prestigious Jnanpithaward, passes away". Financial Express. Hyderabad. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.

https://www.loc.gov/acq/ovop/delhi/salrp/reddy.html