Telangana revolutionary poet, singer Gaddar passes away

Hyderabad: Popular Telangana singer and activist Gaddar passed away on Sunday. He was undergoing treatment at the Hyderabad Apollo Hospital when he died. According to a health bulletin, Gaddar aged 77 years, passed away at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Ameerpet at 3 pm on Sunday.

He was suffering from severe heart disease and was admitted on July 20. He underwent a bypass surgery on August 3 and recovered from it. However, he had a record of lung and urinary ailments, which aggravated with age and led to his passing away.

Throughout his life, Gaddar remained an influential figure, giving his voice to social justice. His songs and poems gained immense popularity with translations available in various languages. He earned recognition for his literary contributions. He was also honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award, India’s highest literary accolade.

Champion for the voiceless

Gaddar, whose real name was Gummadi Vittal Rao, was a prominent Telugu poet, revolutionary balladeer, activist, and former Naxalite. Born in 1949 in the Karimnagar district of Telangana, India, he began his political journey in the 1970s, actively participating in the Telangana agitation against the feudal system. Later, he joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People’s War and was involved in its cultural wing, captivating audiences with his performances that showcased songs highlighting the Naxalite movement.

Despite surviving an assassination attempt in 1997 where he was shot three times, Gaddar continued to actively support the Naxalite movement until 2010. Subsequently, he shifted his focus to advocating for Telangana’s statehood, demonstrating his commitment to social and political change.

Gaddar’s impact extended beyond his poetic expressions, as he founded the Telangana Praja Front, a political party dedicated to championing Telangana’s statehood cause. Over the years, he received various awards, including the Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1988 and the Padma Shri, a prestigious civilian honour in India.

Undoubtedly, Gaddar’s life and work have been both admired and criticised, making him a complex and polarising figure. However, there is no denying his profound influence on Indian history, and his songs and poems continue to inspire generations of activists, resonating with those fighting for social justice.