Balladeer Gaddar passes away

Gaddar, well-known for his songs in the people’s movements, is mo more. He breathed his last while receiving treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad. He was 77. According to Apollo Hospitals, Gaddar died today at 3 p.m. due to long and urinary problems.

Gummadi Vittal Rao was his real name, but he was better known as Gaddar. He was a poet, activist, and ex-Naxalite. People referred to him as “Praja Yuddha Nauka”.

Gaddar was an active member of the Naxalite movement until 2010. He also became involved in the Telangana statehood movement. Gaddar’s songs inspired a generation of Andhra Pradesh youth in the 1970s and 1980s.

He also wrote and sang lyrics for a few films. He sang the popular “Bandenka Bandi Katti” song, which was featured in the 1979 film “Maa Bhoomi.” He wrote and crooned the song “Malle Teegaku Pandirivole” for “Orey Rikshaw,” which earned him the Nandi Award for Best Lyrics. He also performed for the song “Podustunna Poddumeeda Gaanama Telanganamaa” in “Jai Bholo Telangana” in 2010.