Life history of the legendary poet 'Cinare'

Noted poet and writer C Narayana Reddy passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad. He is known for his contributions to Telugu literature with his works including poetry, stories and thousands of songs written for Telugu movies.

Born in a remote village of Karimnagar district, he entered the Telugu film industry in 1962 as a song writer for the movie Gulebakavali Katha. The song 'Nannu dochu unduvate…vannela dorasani' garnered immense popularity.

C Narayana Reddy did his MA and PhD from Osmania University in Hyderabad where he also worked as a professor and later served as the Vice-Chancellor of Telugu University.

Reddy, who was influenced by medieval Urdu poetic traditions particularly in the Ghazal form, has imbibed influences of Urdu poetry in his Telugu poetry.

Popularly known as Cinare, he claimed several state level awards along with Kala Prapurna (Honoris Casua) by Andhra University in 1978, Raja Lakshmi award in 1988 and the Soviet Land Nehru award in 1982.

His poetic work Visvambara, that was translated into three other languages led him to grab the prestigious Jnanpith award in 1988 making him the second Telugu writer to have received the award.

Dr. Reddy was also conferred with Kala Prapurna (Honoris Casua) by Andhra University in 1978 is also known as an educational administrator. He instituted an award named after his wife Susheela which is presented annually to the female writers.

The Government of India honored him with Padmashree Award in 1977 and Padmavibhushan in 1992. He was even nominated to the Upper House of Indian Parliament in August 1997.

He married Suseela and with her had four daughters who are named after four famous rivers in India - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Krishnaveni. As a tribute to his wife, Narayana Reddy instituted an award after her which is presented to female writers every year.