Rahul Gandhi and other political figures express their condolences over the passing of Telangana folk singer Gaddar.

Gaddar, a revered folk musician famed for his revolutionary anthems, passed away on August 6 in Hyderabad while receiving treatment for a heart problem at a private hospital. He was 77.

Gaddar, also known as Gummadi Vithal Rao, was a well-known personality in the Telugu states when he was born in 1949 in Toopran, Medak district. He was well-known for his revolutionary songs, but he also became a cult figure among Telugu-speakers for his active participation in social activities during the height of the Naxal movement in the merged Andhra Pradesh.

His involvement in the Telangana struggle will always be remembered fondly by his followers, particularly for the legendary song “Podustunna Poddu Meeda Nadustunna Kaalama Poru Telanganama,” which became a mainstay of every gathering of the protest. He shared the ambitions of Telangana intellectually, and he utilized his music as a potent instrument to engage the public and draw attention to the region’s injustices. He also dabbled with acting, making appearances in a few movies, notably “Maa Bhoomi,” in which he sang the well-known song “Bandenka Bandi Katti Padahaaru Bandlu Katti.”

Gaddar committed his youth to undercover work, aiding the People’s War of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) in the 1980s. He reappeared, nevertheless, once the ban on the People’s War organization was removed by Marri Chenna Reddy, the then-chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. At his home in 1997, he was the target of an almost deadly assassination attempt.

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, attended the Telangana Congress convention in Khammam where Gaddar recently made an appearance. He gave Gandhi a hearty hug and sent his best wishes throughout the ceremony. He had proclaimed his intentions to start a new party a few months before, but tragically, he went suddenly before that could happen.

Gaddar’s music and influence on social movements in Telangana will always be appreciated and remembered, according to A. Revanth Reddy, head of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).

Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, referred to Gaddar as a revolutionary. Reddy expressed his sympathies to the singer’s family in a statement and stated that the musician “was the voice of the oppressed and fought for social justice through his inspiring songs.”

“Saddened to hear about the passing of Shri Gummadi Vittal Rao, Telangana’s legendary poet, balladeer, and fiery activist,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi. Gaddar fought relentlessly for the underprivileged because he loved the Telangana people. May his legacy serve as an inspiration to all of us,’ he added.

N Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), tweeted: “With Gaddar’s departure, a prolific chapter in popular movement and human rights fight has come to an end. He affected a large audience with his voice.