Kosaraju Raghavaiah

Kosaraju Raghavayya (23 June 1905 – 27 October 1987), known mononumously by his surname Kosaraju, was an Indian lyricist and poet known for his works in Telugu cinema. He wrote about 3,000 songs in 350 films. His lyrics are steeped in Telugu folklore and rural idiom. He was awarded the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for his contribution to Telugu cinema in 1984.

He wrote memorable songs like "Eruvaka Sagaro", "Niluvave Vaalu Kanuladhana", "Illarikamlo Unna Maza", "Chethilo Dabbulu Poyene", "Anukunnadokkati Ainadi Okkati", "Ye Nimishana Yemi Jaruguno", "Jayammu Nischayammu ra", "Maa Voollo Oka Paduchundi".

Early life He was born on 23 June 1905 in Appikatla village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh to Sri Subbaiah and Smt Lakshmamma whose occupation was agriculture . As Appikatla, his native village was small and the local school had the facility to teach up to 4th class, Kosaraju could not study beyond it. But he studied Telugu literature, epics and puranas at home .Moreover, he was influenced by a Telugu scholar Kondamudi Narasimham Pantulu in whose play based on the Ramayana he acted when still in his teens.

Initially, he worked as a journalist in the Raithu Patrika where he met the famous writer Samudrala Sr. and the director Gudavalli Ramabrahmam. He published his first poetry anthology, Kadagandlu. He died in 1987.

Film career Kosaraju acted in the Telugu film Raithu Bidda (1939). Later, he shifted his focus to writing lyrics for films. He penned humorous lyrics for K. V. Reddy's Pedda Manushulu (1954), followed by one of his most famous songs, "Jebulo Bomma Je Jela Bomma" (in B. A. Subba Rao's Raju Peda, 1954). He was well known for his earthy poetry, often referring to popular tales of morality and ethics. Kosaraju wrote about 3,000 lyrics for 350 Telugu films.

He wrote memorable songs like "Eruvaka Sagaro", "Illarikamlo Unna Maza" and "Chethilo Dabbulu Poyene".

Filmography Year Film Songs 1939 Raithu Bidda Actor 1954 Pedda Manushulu Nandamaya Guruda Nandamaya 1954 Raju Peda Jebulo Bomma Jejela Bomma 1955 Nammina Bantu Chengu Chenguna Gantulu Veyyandi 1955 Rojulu Marayi Eruvaaka Sagaroranno Chinnanna 1957 Thodi Kodallu Aaduthu Paaduthu PanichestunteTownu Pakkakelloddura Dingari 1958 Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu Anukunndokkati Ainadi Okkati Bolta Kottindile Bulbul PittaKalavari Swartham Nirupeda Dukham Yenatikaina Marena 1959 Illarikam Bhale Chansele.. Illarikam lo Unna MazaaNiluvave Vaalukanuladaanaa! 1959 Jayabheri Unnaaraa Jodunnaaraa, Mammodinche Vaarunnaaraa 1962 Kula Gothralu Ayyayo Chetilo Dabbulu Poyene 1962 Manchi Manasulu Maama Maama Mama Eme Eme Bhaama 1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Emitee Avataram 1963 Lava Kusa Ye Nimishaniki Yemi Jaruguno Evaroohinchedaru 1963 Mooga Manasulu Gowaramma Nee Mogudevaramma Evaramma Vaadevaramma 1964 Devatha Mavooru Madarasu Naa Peru Ramdasu 1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Desammu Maarindoy Kaalammu MaarindoySaradaa Saradaa Cigarettu 1965 Antastulu Dulapara Bulloda Dummu Dulapara Bulloda 1966 Sri Krishna Pandaviyam Bhala Bhala Naa Bandi Parugu Teese BandiMattu Vadalara Niddura Mattu Vadalala 1967 Aada Paduchu Rikshavaalanu Nenu Pakshilaga Pothanu 1967 Ave Kallu Maa Voollo Oka Paduchundi Dayyamante Bhayamannadi 1967 Poola Rangadu Neetiki Nilabadi Nijayateega Padara Munduku Padara 1968 Varakatnam Sai Sai Jodedla Bandi 1970 Dharma Daata Evvarikosam Evadunnaadu Pondiraa Pondi 1971 Bomma Borusa Bomma Borusa Pandem Veyyi Needo Naado Paicheyi 1971 Chelleli Kapuram Bhale Bhale Maa Annayya 1971 Sampoorna Ramayanam Ramaya Tandri O Ramaya Tandri.. Maa Nomulanni Pandinayi Ramaya Tandri 1972 Papam Pasivadu Manchi Annadhey Kaanaraadu 1975 Balipeetam Takku Tikku Takkuladi Bandira Yesukundam Buddoda 1975 Pooja 1976 Manushulanta Okkate Muthyalu Vasthava Adigindi Isthava 1979 Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu

Awards and honours He was awarded the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema in 1984. He was given the titles Janapada Kavi Sarvabhouma and Kaviratna.