He was a household name in the two Telugu states.

He was born as Gummadi Vithal Rao in 1949.

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 people.

His role in the Telangana agitation cannot be forgotten and his iconic song — Podustunna Poddu Meeda Nadustunna Kaalama Poru Telanganama — was a feature of every agitation meeting.