Revolutionary balladeer and renowned folk singer Gaddar passed away in Hyderabad at a private hospital on August 6 while undergoing treatment for heart related ailment.
A household name in the two Telugu states, Gaddar, who was born as Gummadi Vithal Rao in Toopran of Medak district in 1949, is known for his revolutionary songs. His contribution to people’s movements in the combined Andhra Pradesh during the peak of the Naxal movement fetched him a cult status among the Telugu-speaking population.
His role in the Telangana agitation cannot be forgotten and his iconic song – Podustunna Poddu Meeda Nadustunna Kaalama Poru Telanganama – was a must in every meeting of the Telangana agitation. Ideologically too, he was close to Telangana aspirations and used his music to reach out to the masses and expose the injustice meted out to the region. He also acted in a few films including ‘Maa Bhoomi” where he was seen singing the popular song ‘Bandenka Bandi Katti Padahaaru Bandlu Katti’.
