Renowned Telugu music composer Chakradhar Gilla, popularly known as Chakri, died of a heart attack in Hyderabad on December 15. He was only 40.
Chakri was born in 1974 in Mahabubabad in what is now Telangana. He was one of five children, with one brother and three sisters.
Chakri began his career composing music for Telugu films with director Puri Jagannadh's Bachi in 2000. They teamed up several films, including Itlu Sravani Subramanyam (2001), Idiot (2002), Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi (2003), Sivamani (2003), 143 (2004), Desamuduru (2007), Neninthe (2008) and Golimaar (2010).
Chakri provided the musical score for over 85 films in his short but illustrious career. His best-known films are Amma Naanna Tami Ammai, Idiot, Erra Bassu, Golimaar, Satyam, Devaraya, Atanu, Itlu Sravani Subramanyam and Jai Bolo Telangana. He was also responsible for helping many lyricists, singers and music technicians get their first break in the South film industry.
Chakri won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer - Telugu in 2003 for Satyam. His song O Maguva Nee Sneham Kosam from Satyam brought him success overnight. Chakri also won the state government's Nandi Award for Best Music Director (Telugu) in 2010 for Boyapati Srinu's Simha.
He had three films out in 2014 - Yuddham, Power and his last hit, Erra Bus.
Chakri is survived by his wife Sravani and their children.
