People of Bhadrachalam remembers Bapu

Khammam: Poets, writers and people of Khammam district became nostalgic after hearing to the news of film director-cartoonist Bapu’s demise.

Recalling his association with the multi-faceted personality, people of Bhadrachalam, where he shot numerous movies relating to the epic Ramayana, poet Sadhanal Venkataswamy Naidu said, “I wrote a book titled ‘Naidu Patalu’ (Songs sung by Naidus) and asked Bapu to draw a picture for the cover page. Though he was a reputed director, he had been very modest and obliged to my request. He drew a picture for the book but refused to take remuneration for that even when I offered it.”

Paintings and drawing by Sattiraju Lakshminarayana, popularly known as Bapu, have been put on display in a hall on the temple premises at Bapu Rekha (line). This apart, idols, depicting Ramayana, which were designed by Bapu were established on the banks of river Godavari at Bhadrachalam. The director visited Bhadrachalam during the audio release function of his last film Sriramarajyam, featuring actor Balakrishna and actress Nayanatara in the lead roles.

Bhadrachalam temple priest Podicheti Jagannathacharyulu said Bapu felt closely connected to the temple town of Bhadrachalam as he was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Many of his stories were inspired from the epic Ramayana.

“He never failed to offer prayers at the temple during his visit to Bhadrachalam,” the priest said.

Kancharla Srinivas, who is connected to the family of Kancharla Gopanna aka Ramadas, termed Bapus as another Ramadas, who expressed his love to Lord Rama through his paintings, drawings and movies.