The name Vetturi Sundara Ramamurthy is synonymous for songs that dowse the listener with their imbibed lullaby, even to this day. The connoisseur among lyricists sets a bench mark in Tollywood. There cannot be a melody since the last forty years without his signature, is not a faltering statement but the real truth. Today on his 77 jayanti, Wishesh wishes to serve the master weaver of emotions with a small tribute. As even a mountain of tribute would look like a mole before his contributions and accomplishments. The ace literaturist pioneered in depicting modern 'emoticons' as poetry which became 5000 melodious songs. His ten milestones of success according to me are.
As an Ekalavya sishya to Acharya Athreya, the doyen never failed to praise his mentor at any event. Invited to be an actor by veteran legendary filmmaker Chittor V. Nagaiah, whose request he softly refused. But the friendly orders by the late Chief Minister N T Rama Rao could not be put aside and Vetturi jumped into the fray as a lyricist. He shot to fame with his debut as an active lyricist in 'Adavi Ramudu,' in 1977. The song with that goes like 'Krushi Vunte Manushulu Rushulautaru.....' was a tremendous sensation then and even today
Another film around the same time was 'Pantulamma' directed by Singeetham Srinivasarao, anoher versatile veteran. The song that won his first Nandi award was sung by SPB and P Suseela. It goes like this, 'Manasa Veena Madhu Geetam...'
However 'Sankarabharanam' by versatile filmmaker K Viswanath, in 1980, became a landmark in lyrics and the best is that this film had the rare achievement that the undubbed version pan India had won acclaim. Such was the impact of the writer that people who never knew the language even enjoyed his lyrics. From melodies to mass songs, Veturi was a class apart and never short of words. In fact to this day he is regarded to be the fastest writer of our times. Especially the song that goes like 'Sankara Nadasareena Para...' is a benchmark in classical music.
His next supersong that even today takes many into a trance is for Megastar Chiranjeevi in the film 'Subhalekha,' in 1982, again directed by K Viswanath. The song 'Raagaala Pallakilo Koyilamma Raaledu Eevela Endukammaa?...' is so meaningful. This film exploits an educated youth who strives hard to do whatever he gets to etch out a living, with out waiting for opportunities which do come later.
In fact K Viswanath was all of praise for this writer that he utilized Vetturu's service to move along successfully, crossing many milestones. Another great film which had memorable lyrics was 'Sagara Sangamam' in 1983, again by K Viswanath, in which Dr Kamal Haasan fires the screens with his classical performance. In this film Vetturi has composed six songs but my choice is 'Mounamelanoyi Ee Marapurani Reyi.....'.
However the icing on the cake was the song for the film 'Meghasandesham' enacted by Akkineni Nageswara Rao and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. Both are versatile veterans of Tollywood, they were legends in their own domains. The song in this film, 'Aakaasa Desaana Aashada Masaana...' is a classic example of this master weaver.
In 1985, he wrote for a revolutionary film, 'Prathighatana' that took on the then political system, directed by late T Krishna. And the song sung by the lead of the film Vijayasanthi, 'Ee Duryodhana Dushaasana......' would even melt hard rocks. The lyrics were filled with emotions and expressions woven into a garland of song that won acclaim then and till this day. This song won him his fourth Nandi.
The next in the league was 'Matru Devo Bhava' in 1993, by filmmaker K Ajay Kumar, an associate of Kodanda Ramareddy.' It is about the saga of a single parent who is to die soon. The lyrics of this film touched the emotional chords. Two songs that need to be remembered, deliver bare facts of life. They are ' Raalipoye Puvva Neeku Raagalenduke.... and 'Venuvai vachchaanu …' These two songs are sure to be the choice of his fans, however the former got him national recognition.
Renowned filmmaker Shekar Kammula, is another person who was smitten by Vetturi's charisma and he even voiced that it would be difficult to make a film without the veteran. In 2006 his film 'Godavari' was a super hit among small budget films/. It reaped unexpected dividends while setting standards in Tollywood. Among the six songs that this lyricist had written for this film all were melodious and difficult to chose the best. However the song, 'Uppongele Godavari ...' sung by SPB is a sensation, speaking about the rich traditions of the yatra to Bhadrachalam temple.
While Shekar Kammula wass bewitched by this doyen, he again had the veteran write for his film 'Leader' in 2010, which introduced Rana Daggupati as a suave politician all out to change the system. This dream film which brought wings to everyone's imagination, was another sensation. And the song 'Maa Telugu Thalliki....' is memorable and an awakener to the youth about the rich tradition.
Tollywood lost this magnificent literature icon in 2010 and to this day we remember him and his songs are souvenirs that he has gifted Telugu speaking community. His contemporaries revered him and his admirers respected him. He was known as the 'male Saraswati' of our times. Th national awardee was instrumental in according 'Telugu', 'classical status' by the government of India. He has left his indelible foot prints on the sands of time that are sure to remain immortal for ever. We bow to you sir. (Wishesh AarKay)
