Gummadi Vittal Rao(31 January 1949[1]– 6 August 2023), known asGaddar,was an Indian poet, singer, andcommunistrevolutionary. Gaddar was active in theNaxalite–Maoist insurgency,as well as themovement for Telangana's statehood.
Gaddar | |
|---|---|
 Rao in 2005 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gummadi Vittal Rao 31 January 1949 Toopran,Hyderabad State,Dominion of India (01 November 1956 to 02 June 2014 Andhra Pradesh) (02 June 2014-Telangana),India |
| Died | 6 August 2023(aged 74) Hyderabad,Telangana,India |
| Political party | Telangana Praja Front |
| Spouse | Vimala Gaddar |
| Residence(s) | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Alma mater | Osmania University |
| Occupation | |
Gaddar began his political and cultural journey as a Naxalite in the 1970s. Arrested during the Emergency in 1975, he later went underground. Despite controversies, he remained a prominent voice against caste oppression and injustices faced by Dalits and Adivasis.[2]He was one of the founding member of the cultural wing of theCommunist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) People’s War.[3]He also founded the Jana Natya Mandali.[4]He played a major role in drawing national attention to theKaramchedu massacrein 1987.[4][2]
Early life
editGaddar was born as Gummadi Vithal Rao atToopranin theMedak districtofTelanganain 1949.[5]While studying engineering in Hyderabad, he became influenced by the revolutionary ideas of theDalit Panthersand the Naxalbari movement.[6]
Gaddar went underground in the 1980s and became a member ofCommunist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War.He was part of its cultural wing and performed for crowds. A bullet remained in his spine after an assassination attempt in 1997.[7]
Until 2010, Gaddar was active in the Naxal movement, later identifying himself as anAmbedkarite.[8]He adopted the nameGaddaras a tribute to the pre-independenceGadar party,which opposedBritish colonial ruleinPunjab.[9][failed verification]
Telangana movement
editWith the resurgence ofTelangana movement,Gadar expressed his support for the cause of a separateTelanganastate,[10]which intended to uplift the lower castes, particularly dalits and backward castes. He said that he was strongly aligned with those who are for a Telangana[a what?clarification needed]of social justice where scheduled tribes and scheduled castes have political representation on par with the OCs and BCs of the state.[citation needed]He expressed his solidarity withDevender Goud's NTPP (Nava Telangana Praja Party) despite being shot at by the police during Goud's term as AP home minister.[11][12][13]
Illness and death
editSuffering from severe heart disease, Gaddar was admitted to a Hyderabad hospital on 20 July 2023 where he underwent bypass surgery on 3 August 2023. While recovering from surgery,[14]he died from lung and urinary problems on 6 August 2023 at age 74.[15][16][17]
Music
edit| Year | Movie | Song | Lyricist | Language | Ref. |
| 1979 | Maa Bhoomi | Bandenaka Bandi Katti | Bandi Yadagiri | Telugu | [18] |
| 1983 | Rangula Kala | Jam Jammalmarri | Devi Priya | ||
| Bhadram Koduko | Guda Anjaiah | ||||
| Madhana Sundari | |||||
| 1995 | Orey Rikshaw | Malle Theegaku | Gaddar | ||
| Aapura Rikshowda | |||||
| Jatharelli Podame | |||||
| Naa Raktham Tho Naduputhanu Rikshawnu | [19] | ||||
| Rajyangam Chattamandu | |||||
| Gana Gana Gana | |||||
| Amma Kanna | |||||
| 2011 | Jai Bolo Telangana | Podustunna Poddumeeda | [20] |
Awards
edit- 1995:Nandi Award for Best Lyricistfor "Malletheega Ku Pandiri Vole" fromOrey Rikshaw(turned down)[21]
- 2011:Nandi Award for Best Male Playback SingerforJai Bolo Telangana[22]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Gaddar's birth anniversary on January 31 to be celebrated as state function".newstap.in.31 January 2024.Retrieved17 June2024.
- ^abJangam, Chinnaiah (10 August 2023)."Gaddar (1949-2023): His voice inspired resistance to oppression".Scroll.in.Retrieved24 February2025.
- ^Kartheek, B. (7 August 2023)."Gaddar: Revolutionary poet who fought for statehood".The New Indian Express.Retrieved24 February2025.
- ^abApparasu, Srinivasa Rao (6 August 2023)."Popular balladeer and former Maoist ideologue Gaddar passes away".Hindustan Times.Archived fromthe originalon 20 September 2024.Retrieved24 February2025.
- ^Reddy, R. Ravikanth (6 August 2023)."Telangana folk singer Gaddar passes away".The Hindu.Retrieved6 August2023.
- ^"Renowned Telangana folk singer Gaddar passes away at 77".Frontline.7 August 2023.Retrieved24 February2025.
- ^"Rebel balladeer Gaddar backs Congress".ap7am /.Retrieved3 January2021.
- ^Swamy, Rohini (4 December 2018)."In Telangana, Naxal poet Gaddar embraces the ballot & old foes to fight 'fundamentalists'".ThePrint.Retrieved3 January2021.
- ^"Ghadr (Sikh political organization)".Encyclopædia Britannica.Retrieved18 September2010.
- ^Satyanarayana, K. (30 August 2023)."Gaddar: The radical performer and cultural icon of Telangana".The News Minute.Retrieved24 February2025.
From the late 1990s, he played an active role in the struggle for a separate Telangana state.
- ^"Fight forces opposing separate Telangana, says Gadar".The Hindu.18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 27 March 2008.
- ^"Telangana minus Hyderabad unimaginable: Gadar".The Hindu.20 January 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 23 January 2008.
- ^"Smaller States viable, say leaders".The Hindu.5 February 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 9 February 2008.
- ^Reddy, U Sudhakar (6 August 2023)."Renowned Telangana folk singer Gummadi Vittal Rao, popularly known as 'Gaddar', passes away".The Times of India.Retrieved6 August2023.
- ^"Telangana: Poet activist Gaddar passes away at 77".The Siasat Daily. 6 August 2023.Retrieved6 August2023.
- ^"Telangana Poet Gaddar, Known For His Revolutionary Songs, Dies At 77".NDTV.
- ^"Famed Folk Singer Gaddar Passes Away at Apollo Hospital".telegraphindia.6 August 2023.
- ^Krishnamoorthy, Suresh (23 March 2015)."Maa Bhoomi will forever be alive in people's minds".The Hindu.
- ^"Orey Rikshawcompletes 25 years; Lesser-known facts about the R Narayana Murthy starrer ".The Times of India.9 November 2020.ISSN0971-8257.Retrieved24 February2025.
- ^"Telangana Formation Day 2021: Folk Songs that Ignited Passion During Statehood Movement".News18.2 June 2021.
- ^"Orey Rikshawcompletes 25 years; Lesser-known facts about the R Narayana Murthy starrer ".The Times of India.9 November 2020.
- ^"2011 Nandi Awards winners list".The Times of India.Archivedfrom the original on 27 June 2013.Retrieved12 August2023.