Lyricist Veturi Sundararama Murthy dies; big loss for Telugu film industry

23 May, 2010

Veturi Sundararama Murthy, popularly known as Veturi, a legendary Telugu poet and lyricist died of lungs bleeding and heart attack in Care Hospitals, Hyderabad on 22nd May 2010 at the age of 74.

VETURI SUNDARARAMA Murthy, popularly known as Veturi, a legendary Telugu poet and lyricist died of lungs bleeding and heart attack in Care Hospitals, Hyderabad on 22nd May 2010 at the age of 74. Veturi was born in Kolluru near Tenali located in Guntur district in AP in 1936. Telugu poet and lyricist Veturi Sundararama Murthy was ailing for some time now and was rushed to Care Hospitals in the night after he complained of chest pain.

He was the second lyricist from Telugu film industry to win the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the song Raalipoye puvva neeku ragaalenduke from the Movie Maathrudevobhava in the year 1994. However, Veturi's songs in films like 'Sankarabharanam' and 'Sagara Sangamam' by ace director K Viswanadh won him national acclaim. He also received the AP government’s Nandi award more than eight times.

Veturi Sundararama Murthy or Veturi worked as journalist for prominent magazines like Andhra Patrika and Andhra Prabha before becoming a lyricist. Veturi got his first break in movies through Dr.K.Viswanath while working as a journalist. Later, he would go on to pen hundreds of songs.

Veturi Sundararama Murthy was a disciple of the legendary Viswanatha Satyanarayana. NT Rama Rao, the legendary actor of Telugu movies and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, did a number of movies with him. Veturi also essayed brief roles in a few films. His sudden demise is a big loss for Telugu film industry.