Renowned Telugu film lyricist Kandikonda Yadagiri died due to health-related complications on Saturday. He was 49. Kandikonda was one of the most revered names in the Telugu film fraternity and had penned lyrics for more than a hundred films during the course of his career, while also contributing his songwriting skills for private albums as well. The celebrated lyricist is well-known for his collaborations with music director Chakri, with whom he worked on several private and spiritual albums. He made his debut in blockbuster director Puri Jagannadh's Itlu Sravani Subramanyam and penned the hit 'Malli Kuyave Guvva' song. The success of the song thereafter landed him many offers and he wrote lyrics for tracks like 'Chupulatho Gucchi Gucchi', 'Gala Gala Paruthuna' to name a notable few. Outside of his work in the Telugu film industry, Kandikonda also wrote the lyrics for songs for political leaders and for auspicious and festive occasions. 

The news of Kandikonda's death has come as a massive shock for fans and Telugu film fraternity celebrities and personalities from all walks of life, who have been paying their tributes on social media. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao expressed his condolences and tweeted, "Deep shock over the death of eminent poet and lyricist Shri Kandikonda. The CM condoled the death of Kandikonda (Yadagiri) who had been suffering from cancer for some time." The Telangana CMO Twitter handle added, "The death of Varangallu child Kandikonda, who immortalized the culture of the Telangana Sabbanda community through his song, is a great loss to the Sabbanda community in the world of Telangana literature, said the CM. Kandikonda is a Telangana child who has made his mark in the field of Telugu cinema as a songwriter, the CM recalled." The statement concluded, "He said it was unfortunate that the government had made several attempts to save Kandikonda but to no avail. The CM expressed his deepest sympathies to their family members." 

Likewise, singer Smita paid her respects as well and wrote, "With a heavy heart, i would like to inform the twitter and industry family that Lyricist Kandikonda garu is no more. Wishing for God to give his family strength to deal with the loss. OmShanti."

Film writer and director Sampath Nandi tweeted, "It pains alot to lose u Kandikonda garu.. Had the privilege of working wid u in my very first film Yemaindi Ee Vela. Our conversations n the way u emote the essence of the film with ur simple lines is something I’ll treasure forever. U’ll be missed. Rest in Peace🙏🏾 #RIPKandikonda".