Eminent Telugu poet Seshendra no more

Hyderabad, May 31 (UNI) Eminent Telugu poet and litterateur Gunturu Seshendra Sarma died of a massive cardiac arrest in his sleep at his Gnanbagh Colony Palace here last night.

He was 80. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Born in Nellore District on October 20, 1927, he graduated from the Andhra University and later obtained s Law degree from Madras University and joined government service in 1949.

The Octogenerian poet served as a Deputy Municipal Commissioner with the Andhra Pradesh government for a long time.

Being an upright officer, he never bowed under pressure and as a result he was frequently transferred. This provided him an opportunity to study nature and the sufferings of the poor. This also gave him the inspiration to take to reading and writing.

Well versed in the ancient form of writing, Sarma also wrote several articles and novels. There was no form of literature which he left untouched. He can be compared with the famous English poet Wordsworth for describing nature, write revolutionary poetry like 'Sri Sri' and be romantic like Devulapall Krishna Sastry. Some called him 'Yuga Kavi' (Poet of the age).

Proficient in Telugu, English and Hindi languages, Sharma was well-versed with 'Tarjka Sastra' and the 'Upanishads.' Notable among his writings were 'Jana Vamsam' (kavyam), 'Rakta Rekha' and 'Vacchindi Votla Rutuvu' (poetry).

As Sarma had great respect for caricaturist and film director Bapu, he penned a lyric for his movie 'Muthyala Muggu.' The Kendra Sahitya Academy honoured him with a fellowship.

UNI