Tollywood Bigwigs Pay Tributes to Legendary Telangana Singer Gaddar
Renowned folk artist, Gaddar, known by many as the "people's singer," passed away on Sunday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad. A household name in Telangana, Gaddar was celebrated for turning his thought-provoking words into inspirational songs.
Reacting to his demise, legendary filmmaker B Narsing Rao, says, “I'm in deep shock and I have no words to express my feelings. I am feeling very low.” The national award winning filmmaker was associated with Gaddar for over four decades in Jana Natya Mandali to propagate people-centric issues through stage plays and songs. “He is more than a brother to me. We used to discuss people's issues and tried to enlighten them through our theatre group. While I moved to films, he continued with his yeoman service since he always wanted to stay connected with the common man and his woes,” he adds.
Based on his friendship, Narsing Rao was able to convince Gaddar to appear in his hard-hitting movies and croon people-centric songs like ‘Bandennaka Bandi Khatti (Maa Bhoomi) and ‘Badram Koduko’(Rangula Kala) which got etched in the minds of people for their rhythmic beats and thought-provoking lyrics. “Being a friend, Gaddar couldn’t say no to me. In fact, Gaddar is very intelligent and performed those songs with elegance since he has some stage experience. His songs are still remembered because they have come from a heart that is pure and honest,” added Narsing Rao.
Director N Shankar got more support and advice from Gaddar for his naxal-centric movies like ‘Encounter’ besides ‘Sri Ramulaya’ and ‘Jayem Manadera’. “He has been a big support for me. He also helped me during the making of naxal-based films that justified ultras' fight against the system and feudal lords. His knowledge about the problems of the common man is unmatched,” says director N Shankar, who also hailed him as a great human being. “He is a humanist to the core and was always humble and down-to-earth despite his knowledge and popularity,” he adds.
Shankar roped in Balladeer Gaddar to appear and sing a chartbuster ‘Poddusthunna Poddumeeda” in his film “Jai Bolo Telangana’. “Gaddar didn’t want to be seen in the films and declined many offers. But when I met him with a request to make an appearance in my film ‘Jai Bolo Telangana’ he relented. Because the separate statehood movement was at its peak and he wanted to join people’s aspirations. His dancing style is unique and his lyrics have deep meaning and combined together, he was an unbeatable people's poet,” added Shankar.
