Veteran poet and lyricist Adrustha Deepak passes away due to COVID-19

Acclaimed Telugu poet and lyricist Adrustha Deepak, best known for his work in Neti Bharatam (1983), passed away at a private hospital in Kakinada due to COVID-19 related complications on Sunday. He was 71. Deepak had recently tested positive for COVID and was in home isolation. When his condition started to deteriorate, he was rushed to a private hospital where he passed away while battling the virus.Hailing from Ramachandrapuram in Andhra Pradesh, Deepak made his debut as a lyricist with Madaala Rangarao’s Yuvataram Kadilindi in 1980. He had a vast body of work as a lyricist, songwriter and playwright. His most popular song was Manavatvam Parimilinche Manchi Manasuku Swagatam which was picturised on Suman and Vijayashanti from the film Neti Bharatam. He also won the Kalasagar award for Best Songwriter for this song. Later, he went on to write for several films, including Devalayam, Desamlo Dongalu Paddaru, Ardharatri Swaatantryam, Nava Yugam, Kanchu Kagada, and Badili.
Deepak also worked as a teacher and taught history and literature in several institutions. He was also awarded the Best Teacher award by the Andhra Pradesh government in 2003. Several celebrities from the Telugu film industry offered their condolences to Deepak’s family.