Bronze Statue of Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry Unveiled in Anakapalle!

The bronze statue of legendary film lyricist and Padma Shri awardee Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry was ceremoniously unveiled at Gandhinagar, Anakapalle, near the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. The programme was organised under the joint auspices of the TANA Literary Wing – TANA World Literary Forum, Sirivennela Kala Peetham, Anakapalle, with the cooperation of the Andhra Pradesh Government. The event was held under the leadership of former minister and Anakapalle MLA Konathala Ramakrishna, and the statue was unveiled by renowned filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas in the presence of Sastry garu’s family members.

Following the unveiling ceremony, a grand commemorative meeting titled Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry Mahotsavam was organised at Pentakota Convention Hall, presided over by MLA Konathala Ramakrishna. Speaking on the occasion, he recalled that Sirivennela was born and brought up in Anakapalle and later rose to national and international acclaim as a poet and lyricist, bringing immense pride to his hometown. He described the installation of the statue in Gandhinagar—where Sastry spent his formative years—as both a divine coincidence and a moment of cultural significance. He also announced that an annual literary award will be instituted under the banner of Sirivennela Kala Peetham.

Addressing the gathering, director Trivikram Srinivas said that only a few individuals continue to live eternally in people’s hearts even after their physical departure, and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry was one such rare personality. Former minister Mandali Buddha Prasad hailed Sastry as the poet who accelerated Telugu literary expression in cinema, blending patriotism and human values through his lyrics. TANA representatives highlighted Sastry’s courageous transition from a telecom career to cinema and his remarkable achievement of winning three consecutive Nandi Awards. Several public representatives, literary figures, political leaders, and members of Sirivennela’s family attended the event. Later, Trivikram Srinivas and Sastry’s family members were felicitated, and they were accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Sri Nookambika Ammavari Devasthanam, where special blessings were offered.