Telangana Poet Nandini Sidha Reddy Among Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 Winners
Animesha wins in Telugu poetry category as Sahitya Akademi announces awards in 24 languages
Hyderabad: Nandini Sidha Reddy from Telangana won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 for her literary work ‘Animesha’, a poetic compendium that reflects upon the lives of people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Sidha Reddy said ‘Animesha’ poem reflects on people’s lives, environment and the relation between humans and nature during the Covid pandemic.
Explaining the word ‘Animesha’, which is used to refer to Gods, Sidha Reddy said the poem also talks about migration, human relations and how people suffered during the pandemic, staying in one house and unable to contact each other after being infected with the coronavirus.
Expressing his happiness at being selected for the award, Sidha Reddy, who served as the first chairman of the Telangana Sahitya Akademi, said he was the only person selected under the Telugu category this year and dedicated the award to Telangana culture.
Sharing about this work, Sidha Reddy, a teacher, writer, poet, lyricist and social activist, said most of his literary works focus on village life and the system of joint families in villages and how it has changed over the years.
In 1969, he started learning literature at his school. For more than 50 years, his writings have focused on society and its struggles. Renowned poets and writers C. Narayan Reddy, Sri Sri, and Dasharadhi inspired him in literature.
Urging the youngsters to read literature, Sidha Reddy said reading books helps people understand life, cultures and the world.
Sidha Reddy has also played a key role in the Telangana Movement. His song ‘Nageti Salalo Na Telangana’, describing the entire culture of Telangana, which was featured in the ‘Poru Telangana’ movie, earned the prestigious Nandi award. He said after the Nandi award, this was his second-highest award in literature journey.
Sidha Reddy, who has written more than 20 books, said, “I have written a novel in 2025 on my father, Balasidha Reddy, who fought the Razakars.”
Born on June 12, 1955, in Bandaram village of Siddipet district, Sidha Reddy founded the literary organisation Manjeera Writers Association and played a key role in promoting Telangana literature and culture.
