# Acharya Aatreya

Acharya Aatreya (born Kilambi Venkata Narasimhacharyulu pronunciation; 7 May 1921 – 13 September 1989) was an Indian poet, lyricist, playwright, and screenwriter known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He received the state Nandi Award for Best Lyricist in 1981 for "Andamaina Lokamani" from the film Tholikoodi Koosindi. He is popularly known as Manasu Kavi (transl. Poet of the Heart).

## Life

Athreya was born on 7 May 1921 in Mangalampadu village near Sullurpeta, Nellore district of the Madras Presidency of British India. His birthname was Kilambi Venkata Narasimhacharyulu. He took Acharya from his birth name and Aatreya his Gotra name, combined them as Acharya Aatreya and adopted it as his pen name.
As a student in Nellore and Chittoor he wrote several plays. He abandoned his studies to participate in Quit India Movement and was jailed. After being released from jail, he had worked as a clerk in a settlement office and worked as an assistant editor of the journal Zamin Raithu which is based out of Nellore.
Athreya married Padmavathi in 1940.

## Career

Athreya continued his pursuit for social reform, transformation and universal peace, with his 10 Natakams [plays] and 15 Natikas, which include Bhayam (transl. Fear), Viswa Shanti (transl. Universal Peace), Kappalu (transl. Frogs), Goutama Buddha, Ashoka Samrat, Parivartanam, Edureeta and Tirupati. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University of Hyderabad, for his contributions to Telugu literature.
Athreya made his film debut in 1951. He went on to write over 1400 film songs. In 1989, he published a compilation of his works titled Naa Paata Nee Nota Palakali (transl. You would sing my song).

## Death

Athreya died on 13 September 1989.

## Partial filmography

| Year | Film | Songs |
| 1951 | Deeksha | "Pora Babu Po" |
| 1955 | Ardhangi | "Raka Raka Vacchavu Chandamama" |
| 1957 | Todi Kodallu | "Kaarulo Shikarukelle" "Aadutu Paadutu Panichestunte" |
| 1958 | Mundadugu | "Kodekaru Chinnavada – Vadiponi Vannekada" |
| 1960 | Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | "Seshasailavasa Srivenkatesa" |
| 1962 | Manchi Manasulu | "Silalapai Silpaalu Chekkinaru" |
| 1963 | Mooga Manasulu | "Muddabanti Poovulo" |
| 1964 | Doctor Chakravarti | "Neevuleka Veena Palukalenannadi" |
| 1964 | Gudi Gantalu | "Evarikivaarau Svardhamlo" |
| 1964 | Murali Krishna | "Nee Sukhame Ne Korutunna" |
| 1965 | Antastulu | "Tella Cheera Kattukunnadi Evari Kosamu" |
| 1965 | Preminchi Choodu | "Adi Oka Idile Ataniki Tagule" |
| 1965 | Sumangali | "Kanulu Kanulato Kalabadite" |
| 1965 | Tene Manasulu | "Nee Eduta Nenu Vareduta Neevu" |
| 1967 | Private Master | |
| 1968 | Brahmachari | "Ee totalo Virabuseno Ee puvvu" |
| 1969 | Natakala Rayudu | |
| 1970 | Akka Chellelu | "Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda" |
| 1971 | Mattilo Manikyam | "Naa Maate Nee Maatai Chadavali" |
| 1971 | Prem Nagar | "Theta Theta Telugula Tellavari Velugula" "Manasu Gati Inte Manishi Bratukinte" |
| 1972 | Badi Pantulu | "Bharata Mataku Jejelu" |
| 1972 | Papam Pasivadu | "Amma Choodali Ninnu Naannani Choodali" |
| 1973 | Bhakta Tukaram | "Unnavaa Asalunnavaa Unte Kallu Moosukunnavaa" |
| 1973 | Mayadari Malligadu | "Navvuthu Bathakali Ra Tammudu, Navvuthu Chavali Ra" |
| 1975 | Babu | |
| 1976 | Antuleni Katha | "Kallalo Unnadedo Kannulake Telusu" |
| 1976 | Jyoti | "Sirimalle Poovalle Navvu Chinnari Papalle Navvu" |
| 1978 | Maro Charitra | "Vidhi Cheyu Vinthalanni MatilEni Chetalenani" |
| 1979 | Andamaina Anubhavam | "Andamaina Anubhavam", "Hello Nestam Bagunnava", "Kurralloy Kurrallu Verrekki Vunnollu", "Nuvve Nuvvamma Navvula Puvvamma" |
| 1979 | Guppedu Manasu | "Mauname Nee Bhasha O Mooga Manasa" |
| 1979 | Idi Katha Kaadu | "Sarigamalu Galagalalu" |
| 1980 | Tholi KodiKoosindi | "Andamaina Lokamani" |
| 1981 | Aakali Rajyam | "Saapatu Etu Ledhu Paataina Padu Brother" |
| 1983 | Abhilasha | "Velapala Ledu Kurrallataku" |
| 1983 | Kokilamma | "Kommameeda Kokilamma Kuhu Annadi" "Pallavinchava Naa Gontulo Pallavi kaava Naa Paatalo" |
| 1985 | Swati Mutyam | "Chinnaari Ponnaari Kittayyaa" |
| 1987 | Abhinandana | "Prema Enta Madhuram Priyuralu Antha Katinam" "Prema Ledani Premincha Raadhani" "Eduta Neeve Edalona Neeve" |
| 1989 | Prema | "Priyatama naa Hrudayama" |