Bronze Statue Unveiling of Padma Shri Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry Held with Grandeur at Anakapalli
The bronze statue unveiling ceremony of legendary lyricist and Padma Shri awardee Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry was held in a grand manner at Gandhinagar, Anakapalli, near the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. The event was organized under the aegis of the TANA Literary Wing – TANA World Literary Forum, with the support of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Anakapalli Sirivennela Kalapeetham.
The programme was presided over by former Minister and Anakapalli MLA Sri Konathala Ramakrishna. The statue was ceremoniously unveiled by renowned filmmaker Sri Trivikram Srinivas, in the presence of Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry’s family members.
Following the unveiling, a Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry Mahotsava Sabha was held at the Pentakota Convention Hall under the chairmanship of Sri Konathala Ramakrishna. Addressing the gathering, he recalled that Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, born on the auspicious day of Ratha Saptami in Anakapalli and brought up in the same town, rose to national and international prominence as an eminent poet and lyricist, bringing immense pride and recognition to his birthplace. He stated that installing the statue in Gandhinagar, the very area where the great poet was born and raised, was a moment of honour for the entire region.
Sri Ramakrishna further noted that it was especially meaningful that acclaimed director Trivikram Srinivas, the poet’s son-in-law and an ardent admirer of his literary legacy, personally unveiled the statue. He added that the programme was initiated with the vision of establishing the Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry Kalapeetham and instituting an annual award in his memory. This year, the statue installation was successfully completed with the wholehearted participation of the family members. He also expressed gratitude to the TANA World Literary Forum for their valuable support in making the event possible.
As part of the ceremony, Sri Trivikram Srinivas and the family members of Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry were felicitated and honoured by the organizers.
On this occasion, Sri Trivikram Srinivas and the Sastry family were accorded a traditional Purna Kumbha Swagatham by the authorities of Sri Sri Sri Uttarandhra Ilavelpu Sri Nookambika Ammavari Devasthanam. They were offered darshan of the presiding deity, received Vedic blessings from scholars, and were presented with mementos and sacred prasadam as a mark of reverence and respect.
