Telugu lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry Bestowed with Padma Shri Award

Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian awards in India, were announced on the eve of Republic day on Friday.

The Renowned lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, who is considered as one of the all-time great poets of Telugu film industry, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award.

Chembolu Seetharama Sastry (popularly known as Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry) born in 1995 Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam, is an Indian lyricist known for his works in Telugu cinema. He won the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist 11 times and Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu 4 times. He was the keynote speaker at the Telugu Association of North America's celebrations held in Chicago Illinois, U.S. July 2–4, 2009. He is currently the highest paid film lyricist in Andhra Pradesh. He got the moniker Sirivennela after writing songs in the film Sirivennela which became a huge hit in 1986.

The lyricist has also written books like Sirivennela Tharangaalu, Nandi Vardhanaalu, Kalyaana Raagalu, Enno Rangula Thella Kiranam, Shivadwarpanam, Kshirasaagara Madhanam, Nanna Puli among others.

Along with Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, chess player Harika Dronavalli and agriculturist Yadlapalli Venkateswara Rao also bagged the coveted Padma Shri awards . The recipients of the Padma Awards will be felicitated by President Ram Nath Kovind most likely in March or April at a ceremonial function at the Rashrapati Bhavan.