# Kosaraju

Kosaraju Raghavayya (23 June 1905 – 27 October 1987), known mononumously by his surname Kosaraju, was an Indian lyricist and poet known for his works in Telugu cinema. He wrote about 3,000 songs in 350 films. His lyrics are steeped in Telugu folklore and rural idiom. He was awarded the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for his contribution to Telugu cinema in 1984.
He wrote memorable songs like "Eruvaka Sagaro", "Niluvave Vaalu Kanuladhana", "Illarikamlo Unna Maza", "Chethilo Dabbulu Poyene", "Anukunnadokkati Ainadi Okkati", "Ye Nimishana Yemi Jaruguno", "Jayammu Nischayammu ra", "Maa Voollo Oka Paduchundi".

## Early life

Born in an agricultural family in Appikatla village, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, Kosaraju studied Telugu literature, epics and puranas. Kosaraju was influenced by a Telugu scholar Kondamudi Narasimham Pantulu in whose play based on the Ramayana he acted when still in his teens.
Initially, he worked as a journalist in the Raithu Patrika where he met the famous writer Samudrala Sr. and the director Gudavalli Ramabrahmam. He published his first poetry anthology, Kadagandlu. He died in 1987.

## Film career

Kosaraju acted in the Telugu film Raithu Bidda (1939). Later, he shifted his focus to writing lyrics for films. He penned humorous lyrics for K. V. Reddy's Pedda Manushulu (1954), followed by one of his most famous songs, "Jebulo Bomma Je Jela Bomma" (in B. A. Subba Rao's Raju Peda, 1954). He was well known for his earthy poetry, often referring to popular tales of morality and ethics. Kosaraju wrote about 3,000 lyrics for 350 Telugu films.
He wrote memorable songs like "Eruvaka Sagaro", "Illarikamlo Unna Maza" and "Chethilo Dabbulu Poyene".

### Filmography

| Year | Film | Songs |
| 1939 | Raithu Bidda | Actor |
| 1954 | Pedda Manushulu | Nandamaya Guruda Nandamaya |
| 1954 | Raju Peda | Jebulo Bomma Jejela Bomma |
| 1955 | Nammina Bantu | Chengu Chenguna Gantulu Veyyandi |
| 1955 | Rojulu Marayi | Eruvaaka Sagaroranno Chinnanna |
| 1957 | Thodi Kodallu | Aaduthu Paaduthu Panichestunte Townu Pakkakelloddura Dingari |
| 1958 | Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu | Anukunndokkati Ainadi Okkati Bolta Kottindile Bulbul Pitta Kalavari Swartham Nirupeda Dukham Yenatikaina Marena |
| 1959 | Illarikam | Bhale Chansele.. Illarikam lo Unna Mazaa Niluvave Vaalukanuladaanaa! |
| 1959 | Jayabheri | Unnaaraa Jodunnaaraa, Mammodinche Vaarunnaaraa |
| 1962 | Kula Gothralu | Ayyayo Chetilo Dabbulu Poyene |
| 1962 | Manchi Manasulu | Maama Maama Mama Eme Eme Bhaama |
| 1963 | Chaduvukunna Ammayilu | Emitee Avataram |
| 1963 | Lava Kusa | Ye Nimishaniki Yemi Jaruguno Evaroohinchedaru |
| 1963 | Mooga Manasulu | Gowaramma Nee Mogudevaramma Evaramma Vaadevaramma |
| 1964 | Devatha | Mavooru Madarasu Naa Peru Ramdasu |
| 1964 | Ramudu Bheemudu | Desammu Maarindoy Kaalammu Maarindoy Saradaa Saradaa Cigarettu |
| 1965 | Antastulu | Dulapara Bulloda Dummu Dulapara Bulloda |
| 1966 | Sri Krishna Pandaviyam | Bhala Bhala Naa Bandi Parugu Teese Bandi Mattu Vadalara Niddura Mattu Vadalala |
| 1967 | Aada Paduchu | Rikshavaalanu Nenu Pakshilaga Pothanu |
| 1967 | Ave Kallu | Maa Voollo Oka Paduchundi Dayyamante Bhayamannadi |
| 1967 | Poola Rangadu | Neetiki Nilabadi Nijayateega Padara Munduku Padara |
| 1968 | Varakatnam | Sai Sai Jodedla Bandi |
| 1970 | Dharma Daata | Evvarikosam Evadunnaadu Pondiraa Pondi |
| 1971 | Bomma Borusa | Bomma Borusa Pandem Veyyi Needo Naado Paicheyi |
| 1971 | Chelleli Kapuram | Bhale Bhale Maa Annayya |
| 1971 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Ramaya Tandri O Ramaya Tandri.. Maa Nomulanni Pandinayi Ramaya Tandri |
| 1972 | Papam Pasivadu | Manchi Annadhey Kaanaraadu |
| 1975 | Balipeetam | Takku Tikku Takkuladi Bandira Yesukundam Buddoda |
| 1975 | Pooja | |
| 1976 | Manushulanta Okkate | Muthyalu Vasthava Adigindi Isthava |
| 1979 | Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu | |

## Awards and honours

* He was awarded the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema in 1984.
* He was given the titles Janapada Kavi Sarvabhouma and Kaviratna.