Orphaned young and without formal schooling, Ande Sri nevertheless became one of Telangana’s most revered poets.
Published Nov 10, 2025 | 12:13 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 10, 2025 | 12:20 PM
Ande Sri. Credit: x.com/seethakkaMLA
Synopsis: Eminent Telangana poet Ande Sri died on 10 November 2025. His anthem “Jaya Jayahe Telangana” galvanised the statehood struggle and became the official song. Honoured with an honorary doctorate, he leaves an indelible legacy of folk-inspired verse, revolutionary lyrics, and cultural awakening of Telangana. He will be accorded a state funeral.
Renowned Telangana poet Ande Sri passed away today, 10 November, at the age of 64 at his residence in Hyderabad due to cardiac arrest.
He was immediately shifted to Gandhi Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
His body was later taken to his home in Lalapet, and subsequently kept at the GHMC Indoor Stadium for the public to pay their last respects.
Ande Sri’s family members saw him lying sprawled near the bathroom in the house in the morning. They immediately rushed him to the Gandhi Hospital at about 7.30 a.m. He may have died about five hours prior, the doctors said. According to them, he was irregular in taking medicines for hyper tension.
Ande Sri’s original name was Ande Yellaiah. He was born on July 18, 1961, in Rebarthi village of Siddipet district.
Despite having no formal education, Ande Sri rose from humble beginnings — first as a shepherd and later as a construction labourer — to become one of Telangana’s most celebrated poets.
During the height of the Telangana movement, Ande Sri’s songs became rallying cries for the people. His iconic composition, “Jaya Jayahe Telangana,” resonated across the state, inspiring thousands. After Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy took office, the song was accorded the status of the official state anthem.
Another of his widely acclaimed works, “Mayamaipothunnadamma Manishanna Vadu” (“Humanity in human beings is disappearing”), also struck a deep chord with listeners.
Ande Sri received an honorary doctorate from Kakatiya University, and the Telangana government recently honoured him with a cash award of ₹1 crore for his contributions to literature and culture.
Known for his spontaneous poetry, he earned the title of an “Ashu Kavi” — a poet who could compose verses impromptu.
He won the Nandi Award in 2006 for his song in the film Ganga. In 2014, he received the Academy of Universal Global Peace Doctorate. The following year, he was conferred with the Dasarathi Literary Award and the Ravuri Bharadwaja Literary Award. Most recently, in 2024, he was honoured with the Dasaradhi Krishnamacharya Award.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over Ande Sri’s demise, saying the void left by his death would be hard to fill. He recalled how Jaya Jayahe Telangana inspired a generation of youth to fight for the cause of statehood.
తెలంగాణ సాహితీ శిఖరం, ప్రజల కవి అందెశ్రీ మరణం తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతిని, ఆవేదనను కలిగించింది. ఆయన మరణం సాహితీ లోకానికే కాదు వ్యక్తిగతంగా నాకు తీరని లోటు.
తెలంగాణ ఉద్యమంలో తన అక్షరాన్ని ఇంధనంగా మార్చి ప్రజల్లో నిత్య చైతన్యాన్ని జ్వలింపచేసిన గొప్ప యోధుడు అందెశ్రీ.
నిత్యం పేదల పక్షాన… pic.twitter.com/Hs5v0gZmlL
— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) November 10, 2025
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also expressed shock at his passing, calling it a great loss to Telugu literature.
Former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao) and K.T. Rama Rao too mourned his death. KCR fondly remembered Ande Sri’s immense contribution to the Telangana movement.
ప్రముఖ కవి, ప్రజా వాగ్గేయకారుడు, రచయిత, డా. అందె శ్రీ గారి అకాల మరణం నన్ను తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతికి గురిచేసింది.
వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సంతాపం. వారి మరణం తెలంగాణ సాహితీ లోకానికి, రాష్ట్రానికి తీరని లోటు.
తెలంగాణ ఉద్యమాన్ని ఉర్రూతలూగించిన వారి పాటలు ప్రజల మదిలో ఎన్నటికీ… pic.twitter.com/woKUMCACck
— KTR (@KTRBRS) November 10, 2025
The Chief Minister has ordered a state funeral for Ande Sri.
(With inputs from Raj Rayasam)
