Overview
- He collapsed at his Hyderabad residence and was taken to Gandhi Hospital, where doctors reported his death around 7:30 am, with cardiac arrest suspected and a history of hypertension noted.
- Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called the loss a major blow to Telangana’s literary world and directed that the funeral be held with State Honours.
- Leaders across parties, including K. Chandrashekhar Rao, K. T. Rama Rao, T. Harish Rao, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Telangana BJP chief N. Ramchander Rao, issued public condolences.
- Ande Sri authored ‘Jaya Jayahe Telangana,’ which energized the statehood movement and was later formalized as the official state song with music by M. M. Keeravani.
- Born Ande Yellaiah in Rebarthi, Jangaon, he rose without formal schooling, received an honorary doctorate and a Rs 1 crore state award, and is survived by three daughters and a son.