ACHARYA ATHREYA

Date of Birth:
7 May 1921, Sullurupeta, Andhra Pradesh,
Date of Death:
9 September 1989, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh,
'Manasunna manishiki sukhamu ledanthe' - a very simple phrase, yet undisputed fact. Inner feelings of an anguished human in a song have been so gorgeously penned by none other than Acharya Athreya garu. Popularly called as 'Manasu Kavi' by all his fans, Atreya was an adept in conveying intense human emotions in simple idiom.

Kilambi Venkata Narasimhacharyulu aka Atreya was born on 7 May 1921, in SulluruPeta. He was one of the proud Indians to be arrested for participating in Quit India Movement by the British. His passion towards telugu literature opened golden gate for him in 1951 when he wrote story, dialogues and lyrics for the movie 'Deeksha'. His debut song was 'poraa baaboo po! poyi choodu ee lokam pokada' sung by M.S.Rama Rao.

Most of his lyrics focused on subtle issues like love and dejection. Being an exemplary lyricist, he articulated tears of human agony as 'Gunde mantalaaripe channeellu kanneellu' in 'Padutha teeyaga challaga'; related the speech of heart as 'Manasu moogade kaani basunnadi daaniki' in 'Mudda banthi poovulo'(Mooga Manasulu), in a simple, but extraordinary style. His 'Mouname nee bhasha o mooga manasa'(Guppedu manasu) rendered the in-depth connotation regarding the nature of individual heart. 'Manasu moogadi, maatalu raanidi, mamatha okate adi nerchinadi' in 'E teega poovuno'(Maro Charithra) once again expresses the trait of human soul in Atreya's classic style. He was excellent in depicting the inner feelings of a distressed mind or the irresistible love of a lonesome heart. 'Manasu gathi inthe'(Prem Nagar), 'Ekkada vunna emaina'(Murali Krishna), 'O hrudayam leni priyuraala'(Kanne Manasulu), 'Andamaina jeevithamu addhaala soudhamu' (Vichitra Bandham) are a few examples of Atreya's mark.

'Raathi sthambhalake chethanathvamu kaligi sarigama padanisa padamule paadaga' in 'Aho Andhrabhoja! Sree Krishna Deva Raaya' from Manchi Manasulu was a paradigm for his outstanding articulation. 'Theta theta telugulaa tellavaari velugulaa'(Prema Nagar),'Ee pagalu reyiga pandu vennelaga maarinademi cheli' (Sirisampadalu), 'Neevu leka veena palukalenannadi', 'Paadamani nannadaga valena' (Dr.Chakravarthy) are a few of several other classic compositions from Atreya.

His devotional songs for the film 'Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam' - 'Sesha saila vasa Sri Venkatesa', 'Ennallani na kannulu kaayaga eduru chootura gopala' , 'vegaraara prabho, paahi hare' depict the other side of 'Manasu Kavi'.

'Chitapata chinukulu paduthuvunte'(Atma Balam), the first super hit rain song in the telugu film history was the downpour from Atreya's pen. It was followed by another rain song 'Chitaa pataa chinukulatho, kurisindi vaana, merisindi jaana'(Akka Chellellu). Atreya wrote a different rain song 'Swathi muthyapu jallulalo' for the film 'Prema Yuddham' in 1989, during his final stages of life. His dialogues and songs for the films 'Abhinandana' and 'Prema' were applauded by one and all.

'Pacha gaddi koseti paduchu pilla', 'Ettago unnadi olammi' from Dasara Bullodu,'Chengaavi rangu cheera kattukunna chinnadi' from 'Bangaru Babu', 'Ekkadiki pothavu chinnavaada' from 'Atma Balam' are Atreya's punching mass lyrics that are amazingly popular among all sections even today.

His dialogues for many films like Moogamanasulu, Mangalya balam, Velugu Needalu, Dr.Chakravarthy, Murali Krishna, Pelli Kanuka, Jaya Bheri are distinctive in the history of the telugu films. Predominantly, heart touching dialogues in Moogamanasulu, Velugu Needalu and classic dialogues in JayaBheri turned each of those movies a masterpiece.

Besides being a lyricist, story and dialogue writer, Atreya also produced & directed 'Vaagdaanam' and acted in two films, 'Aadarsam' and 'Kodenagu'.

Acharya Atreya passed away on 9 Sep, 1989 leaving behind his great writings for all of us to relish. We can still hear the heart beat of 'Manasu Kavi' in his everlasting writings. 'Poinollu andaru manchollu, unnollu poinolla theepi guruthulu'.

Filmography
Jump to filmography as: Writer, Director, Producer
Writer:

1. Muddula Mogadu (1983)
2. SP Bhayankar (1983) (dialogue)
3. Guppedu Manasu (1979) (dialogue)
4. Jeevana Tarangalu (1973) (screenplay and dialogue)
5. Kanne Manasulu (1966) (screen adaptation)
6. Dr. Chakravarthy (1964) (dialogue and screen adaptation)
7. Murali Krishna (1964) (dialogue)
8. Velugu Needalu (1964)
9. Mooga Manasulu (1963)
10. Vagdanam (1961) (screenplay and dialogue)
11. Pelli Kaanuka (1960) (dialogue)
12. Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam (1960) (adaptation) (dialogue)
13. Jayabheri (1959) (story and dialogue)
14. Mangalya Balam (1958) (dialogue)
15. Todi Kodallu (1957) (adaptation) (dialogue)
16. Ardhangi (1955)
17. Gumasta (1953/II) (dialogue) (story)
18. Kanna Talli (1953)

Director:
1. Vagdanam (1961)

Producer:
1. Vagdanam (1961) (producer)