Renowned Telugu lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry died on Tuesday. The 66-year-old lyricist, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019, reportedly died of lung cancer. After the news of Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry's death, Twitter was deluged with tributes for the late lyricist from members of south film industry. Actor Venkatesh Daggubati offered his condolences to Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry's family and wrote: "Disheartened to hear that Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu is no more. Deepest condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace." Actor Jr NTR tweeted: "The news that Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry was no more made me very upset. Although his pen, written by Aluperugaka, is still standing today, the letters he wrote will remain memorable to all as long as the Telugu language exists. I wholeheartedly pray to that God to grant peace to his soul."
Actor Siddharth tweeted: "I was blessed to be blessed by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu. When I was learning Telugu before my first film, he taught me how to read poetry and I thank him for my love for the Telugu language. What a legendary mind. Deepest condolences. RIP Sastry garu."
The official handle of Venkatesh Daggubati's production house Suresh Productions shared a eulogy that read: "Shocked and pained at the passing of the legendary lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu. An irrevocable loss indeed. He'll always be remembered through your contributions to Telugu cinema. May his soul rest in peace."
Music composer S Thaman shared a photo of himself with Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry and wrote: "THE LEGEND IS NO MORE. REST IN PEACE #Seetharamasastry gaaru. #RipSirivennellaSeetharamasastry gaaru."
Actor Ram Pothineni's emotional tweet read: "Thank you #SirivennelaSeetharamaSastry Garu for your unparalleled contribution to our industry. You shall forever be remembered and missed. Honoured to have known you and worked with you. Rest in peace sir."
The tweet on Dil Raju's production house Sri Venkateswara Creations' official Twitter handle read: "Shocked & saddened by the unfortunate passing away of veteran lyricist Padma Shri Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu. A big loss to Telugu Film Industry. Our thoughts & prayers with the family. May his soul rest in peace."
Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry wrote over 2000 songs in his career. He rose to popularity with his song Vidhatha Thalapuna for K Viswanath's 1986 film Sirivennela. He wrote songs for films like Nuvve Kavali, Okkadu, Varsham, Kshana Kshanam, Swarna Kamalam, Swayamkrushi, Swati Kiranam and Shrutilayalu.
He won several Filmfare Awards and Nandi Awards for his work in the south cinema.