Mournful melodies: Legendary folk hero Gaddar’s last curtain call

The legendary Gaddar departs, leaving an unmatched legacy. A dark shadow falls over the nation as Gaddar, the iconic folk singer whose powerful ballads became the voice of millions, breathed his last on Sunday. At 74, his music had stirred souls for decades, becoming anthems of protest and change. Leaving behind a grieving wife Vimala, daughter Vennela, and son Suryam, the entire nation mourns the death of a revolutionary. A reminder of his legacy, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, has commanded that Gaddar’s last rites be honored with state recognition.

Gaddar’s Controversial Stance: His journey from Maoism to mainstream politics

Gaddar, famously recognized by his stage name rather than his birth name, Gummadi Vittal Rao, was previously a beacon of Maoist ideology. Following a cardiac setback, he spent his last days under intensive care at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, which confirmed that a combination of health complications and age led to his tragic end. Born into Dalit roots in 1949, Gaddar embraced revolutionary politics, going incognito in the 80s. A prominent figure in CPI-ML (People’s War), his cultural prowess was evident in founding Jana Natya Mandali, the face of Naxalite culture.

End of an era: The legendary Gaddar departs, leaving an unmatched legacy. Photo courtesy of Pinakpani/Wikimedia Commons.

A Lasting Impact: Gaddar’s everlasting influence on Telangana and its politics

His mark on the world wasn’t just limited to revolutionary anthems. Gaddar graced the silver screen in movies like ‘Maa Bhoomi’ and ‘Rangula Kala’. As a mediator for Naxalites during significant governmental talks in 2004, his influence was evident. Once an advocate for the might of the bullet over the ballot, Gaddar’s ideology took a sharp turn in 2017, championing himself as an ‘Ambedkarite’. His political aspirations were clear when he unveiled the Gaddar Praja Party earlier this year, setting his sights on the Telangana Assembly elections.