Suddala Ashok Teja

Suddala Ashok Teja, originally named Gurram Ashok Teja, is a renowned Indian poet and lyricist celebrated for his contributions to both Telugu cinema and Telugu literature. His prolific career in the entertainment industry spans over 2200 songs, and he achieved national recognition by winning the prestigious National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the song “Nenu saitam” featured in the film “Tagore” (2004).

Born on April 4, 1954, in Suddala village, located in the Jangaon district of Telangana, Suddala Ashok Teja hails from a family with a strong legacy in Telugu literature. His parents, Suddala Hanmanthu and Janakamma, were active participants in the Telangana Rebellion, a movement aimed at resisting the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Suddala Ashok Teja is one of four siblings, including his brothers Prabhakar Teja and Sudhakar Teja, and a sister named Racha Bharathi.

Before venturing into the Telugu film industry, Ashok Teja worked as a government teacher in various villages in the Karimnagar district, including Bandalingapur, Medipally, and Metpally. His passion for writing lyrics had been evident since his childhood, and he eventually found his way into the world of cinema with the support of his nephew, Uttej, a well-known character artist in Telugu films.

Ashok Teja gained recognition and popularity in the film industry after penning the lyrics for movies like “Osey Ramulamma” and “Ninne Pelladutha” in the years 1996–1997.

One of the highlights of Suddala Ashok Teja’s illustrious career was winning the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 2003 for his song “Nenu Saitham” in the movie “Tagore” (2003). This particular song was inspired by the work of the renowned Telugu poet Sri Sri and his poem “Nenu Saitham” from “Mahaprasthanam.” Notably, he became the third lyricist to receive this prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Sri Sri and Veturi. Throughout his career, he contributed lyrics to over 2200 songs for around 1250 movies, as well as 2500 private songs until 2017.

In 2018, Ashok Teja continued to receive accolades for his lyrical prowess, winning the SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist (Telugu) for his work on the song “Vachinde” from the film “Fidaa” (2017). His career is marked by an extensive body of work and a deep impact on Telugu cinema, making him a highly respected figure in the industry.