Devulapalli Krishnasastri

Devulapalli Krishnasastri (1 November 1897 – 24 February 1980) was a Telugu poet, playwright and translator known for his works in Telugu literature and Telugu cinema. He is known as Andhra Shelley. He developed an interest in English literature while he was in high school.

Career Krishnasastri started writing poetry from a very young age. Krishnasastri's works changed significantly after he met Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan in 1929. Krishnasastri joined All India Radio in 1945 and wrote a number of plays for it.

He also translated Goda Devi's Tamil Tiruppavai into Telugu Keertanaas. Other translations of Tiruppavai are available - but they are all word for word. His translation is unique because he had taken the central idea of each Pasuram, made it into Pallavi and wove around it the rest of the paasuram into anupallavi and charanam(s). They were set to pure carnatic music, even as they were composed, by Amruthavalli Sundaram. The publication with notation, is Orient Longman.

He died on 24 February 1980.

Literary works Some of Krishnasastri's famous works include: Amrutha Veena (1992) Appude Putti Vunte Aruna Ratham Badarika Bahukaala Darshanam Dhanurdasu Gorinta Mangala Kahali Sri Vidyapathi Krishnapaksham - Urvashi pravasam Sharmishta Vyaasavali - Kavi parampara Sri Andallu Tiruppavu Kirtanalu (1993) Meghamala (1996) Krishna Paksham (The Darkening Fortnight), Pravasam (Alien Residence), Mahati (The Veena of Narada), Urvasi.

Films Krishnasastri entered the film industry by scripting the 1951 Telugu film Malliswari. He gave lyrics to about 160 songs in over 70 films during the 1950s to 1970s. They include Malleswari, Naa Illu, En Veedu, Bangaru Papa, Ekaveera, Bhagya Rekha (1957), Rakta Kanneeru, Bhakta Tukaram, Karthika Deepam, Gorintaku, Megha Sandesam, Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.

Year Film Song 1951 Malliswari Aakaasa Veedhilo Hayiga Egirevu Desa Desalanni Tirigi Chusevu 1953 Naa Illu Adigadigo Gagana Seema Andamaina Chandamama Adigo 1954 Bangaru Papa Yavvana Madhuvanilo 1957 Bhagya Rekha Neevundeda Kondapai Naasaami 1959 Raja Makutam Sadiseyako Gali Sadiseya Boke 1965 Bangaru Panjaram Pagalaite Doravera Raatiri Naa Raajuvula 1967 Sukhadukhalu Idi Mallela Velayani Idi Vennela Masamani 1968 Undamma Bottu Pedata Ravamma Mahalakhsmi Ravamma 1969 Ekaveera Prati Raatri Vasantha Raatri 1970 Mayani Mamatha Raanika Neekosam Sakhi, Raadika Vasanta Maasam 1971 Kalyana Mandapam Chukkalu Pade Subha Mantram 1971 Antha Mana Manchike Maata Chalada Manasu Chalada 1972 Manchi Rojulochayi Neloto Needa Annadi Nanu Taakaradani 1973 Bhakta Tukaram Ghana Ghana Sundaraa Karuna Rasa Mandiraa 1973 Neramu Siksha Chesina Papam Needi Chitikina Bratukinkokaridi 1974 Amma Manasu Srisailabhavanaa Meluko 1975 Balipeetam Kusalama Neeku Kusalamena 1975 Cheekati Velugulu Cheekati Velugula Kaugitilo Chinde Kumkuma Vannelu 1976 Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club Naa Peru Bikari, Naa Daari Edari 1978 Seetamalakshmi Maavi Chigugu Tinagane Koyila Palikena 1978 Sri Rama Pattabhishekam Ee Gangakenta Digulu Ee Gaalikenta Gubulu 1979 Gorintaku Gorinta Poochindi Komma Lekunda 1979 Karthika Deepam Aaraneekuma Ee Deepam Karteeka Deepam 1980 Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Mahatyam Veena Naa Veena Eruguduva Neevainaa 1983 Megha Sandesam Aakulo Aakunai Puvvulo Puvvunai Mundu Telusuna Prabhu 1986 Rakshasudu Jaya Jaya

Awards Nandi Awards Best Lyricist - Seetamalakshmi (1978) Best Lyricist - Meghasandesam (1982)

Other Awards Andhra University has conferred the title Kala Prapoorna (The complete artist) on him in 1975. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award. Krishnashastri also won the Padma Bhushan Award in the year 1976.