CM Revanth Reddy Pays Tribute to Poet Ande Sri on Jayanti
Synopsis
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid tribute to people's poet Ande Sri on his birth anniversary, calling him the rare voice who embodied Telangana's soul, movement spirit, and self-respect through verse, including the iconic 'Jaya Jayahe Telangana'.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy paid tribute to Ande Sri on his birth anniversary on 18 July 2026 .
Ande Sri composed 'Jaya Jayahe Telangana' , the unofficial anthem of the Telangana statehood movement.
The CM described Ande Sri's literature as 'a symbol of Telangana's existence and a voice of self-respect.' Telangana was formed on 2 June 2014 , with cultural figures like Ande Sri playing a key mobilising role in the preceding agitation.
Post-2014 governments have routinely marked such anniversaries as part of the state's official identity and cultural narrative.
The Chief Minister's Office of Telangana announced on Saturday, 18 July 2026 that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid rich tributes to celebrated people's poet Ande Sri on the occasion of his birth anniversary, honouring the literary figure whose verses gave voice and momentum to the Telangana statehood movement.
Context
Ande Sri, widely revered as the Praja Kavi (people's poet) of Telangana, is best known for composing 'Jaya Jayahe Telangana' — a song that became the unofficial anthem of the decades-long agitation for a separate Telangana state. His verses are credited with channelling popular sentiment and self-respect into a cultural rallying point for millions who participated in the movement.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, in his tribute message, described Ande Sri as 'a rare poet who gave expression in words to the soul of the Telangana land, the aspirations of its people, and the spirit of the movement.' He added that 'every word that flowed from his pen stands as an indelible imprint in the history of the Telangana movement, and every song lit the flame of self-respect in the hearts of the people.'
Policy Backdrop
Telangana was formally carved out of Andhra Pradesh on 2 June 2014, following a prolonged agitation in which cultural figures like Ande Sri played a significant mobilising role. Since statehood, successive governments have institutionalised tributes to movement-era poets and artists as part of the state's official identity-building narrative.
The Chief Minister noted that Ande Sri's literature 'is not merely poetry — it stands as a symbol of Telangana's existence, a voice of self-respect, and an inspiration for future generations.' This framing reflects a broader post-2014 pattern of linking literary heritage to governance messaging and regional pride.
Stakeholders and Impact
Ande Sri's work continues to resonate deeply with Telangana's literary community, cultural organisations, and the general public, particularly among those who lived through or identify with the statehood struggle. His compositions remain a touchstone in public ceremonies, school events, and political rallies across the state.
Revanth Reddy's tribute underscored that 'his unwavering dedication to Telangana, his commitment to the people, and the literary wealth he gifted to society will serve as a guiding light for ages.' The homage reflects the Congress-led government's effort to align itself with the cultural memory of the movement.
What's Next
Annual observances of Ande Sri Jayanti have grown into significant cultural events in Telangana, with state-level programmes, poetry recitals, and public commemorations. Proposals to more formally incorporate his works into school curricula or state cultural programmes are a continuing area of discussion within literary and policy circles.
As long as Telangana's history endures, the Chief Minister said, 'the name of Praja Kavi Ande Sri, his literature, and his message of self-respect will live permanently in the hearts of the people, inspiring generation after generation.'
Point of View
The Congress government signals continuity with Telangana's founding identity narrative. This is a well-worn playbook in the state: successive administrations have used literary commemorations to anchor their legitimacy in the emotional memory of the statehood struggle. For Revanth Reddy, whose party was not the primary driver of the agitation, such tributes serve to close that historical gap. The broader pattern suggests that cultural memory will remain a live political currency in Telangana for the foreseeable future.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ande Sri and why is he famous in Telangana?
Ande Sri is a celebrated Telugu poet known as the 'Praja Kavi' or people's poet of Telangana. He is most famous for composing 'Jaya Jayahe Telangana', which became the unofficial anthem of the movement for a separate Telangana state.
What did CM Revanth Reddy say about Ande Sri?
CM Revanth Reddy called Ande Sri a rare poet who gave expression to the soul of Telangana, its people's aspirations, and the spirit of the movement, adding that his literary legacy would inspire future generations.
What is 'Jaya Jayahe Telangana'?
'Jaya Jayahe Telangana' is a patriotic song composed by Ande Sri that served as the unofficial anthem of the Telangana statehood movement. It became a powerful symbol of regional identity and self-respect during the agitation.
When was Telangana formed as a separate state?
Telangana was formally established as a separate Indian state on 2 June 2014, after being carved out of Andhra Pradesh following a decades-long popular agitation.
What is Ande Sri Jayanti?
Ande Sri Jayanti is the birth anniversary of poet Ande Sri, observed annually in Telangana with cultural programmes, poetry recitals, and state-level tributes honouring his contribution to the statehood movement.
