Devi Priya

Shaik Khaja Hassan (15 August 195121 November 2020), popularly known by his pen name Devi Priya, was an Indian Telugu-language poet and journalist known for his political satire. He was a recipient of the 2017 Sahitya Akademi Award for his work Gaali Rangu (English: Color of the Wind). Some of his famous works included Adhyakshaa Mannichandi (English: Pardon Me, President), Gareebi Geetaalu (English: Songs of Poverty), and Amma Chettu Chepa Chiluka (English: Mother, Tree, Fish, and Parrot).

Early life Priya was born as Shaik Khaja Hassan in Tadikonda, Guntur district, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India on 15 August 1951. He studied Telugu and English literature at the Andhra Christian College in Guntur.

Career As a journalist, Priya was known for his political satire including a running piece on current political events titled "Running Commentary" in the Telugu newspaper, Udayam. He later went on to provide the same commentary on local Telugu language news channels. He was also known for his satirical cartoons. His versatility in themes across his works had him be compared with classical Telugu writer and poet Sri Sri.

Works

Books Source(s):

Gaali Rangu Running Commentary Aranya Puranam Poornamma Adhyakshaa Mannichandi Inko Appudu Amma Chettu Chepa Chiluka Neeti Putta Chepa Chiluka Tuphanu Tummeda Gareebu Geetaalu Samajananda Svaami

Movies (as a lyricist) Source(s):

Maa Bhoomi Raguluthunna Bharatham Rangula Kala Pallaki