Telangana Poet Gaddar, Known For His Revolutionary Songs, Dies At 77

Hyderabad:

Renowned Telangana folk singer and balladeer Gaddar, known for his revolutionary songs during the 1980s and later during Telangana’s statehood agitation, died on Sunday at a private hospital in Hyderabad. He was 77.

Gummadi Vittal Rao, who went by the name Gaddar, died due to lung and urinary problems and advanced age, the hospital said in a statement.

He was suffering from a heart disease and was hospitalised on July 20. He underwent a bypass surgery on August 3 and recovered, the hospital said.

However, he had a history of lung and urinary problems, which, along with his advanced age, aggravated, leading to his death, it said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condolled the death of the “iconic poet” and tweeted: “Saddened to hear about the demise of Shri Gummadi Vittal Rao, Telangana’s iconic poet, balladeer and fiery activist.”

Saddened to hear about the demise of Shri Gummadi Vittal Rao, Telangana’s iconic poet, balladeer and fiery activist.

His love for the people of Telangana drove him to fight tirelessly for the marginalised. May his legacy continue to inspire us all. pic.twitter.com/IlHcV6pObs

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2023

“His (Gaddar) love for the people of Telangana drove him to fight tirelessly for the marginalised. May his legacy continue to inspire us all,” he said.

Gaddar had attended a Congress public meeting addressed by Rahul Gandhi in Telangana’s Khammam on July 2.

Union Minister and Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu and several other leaders condoled the singer’s death.

Gaddar played a key role in spreading public awareness on several issues and gave an impetus to the Telangana statehood agitation with his songs, G Kishan Reddy said.

A former naxalite, Gaddar had lived in hiding, including in forests. Subsequently, he returned to the mainstream and voted for the first time in his life in the Telangana Legislative Assembly polls in 2018.