“The first lyricist I ever admired was my father, Thirunagari Srinivasaswami Garu.
I grew up in Korutla, in present-day Jagtial district, watching him balance many roles: government teacher, Telugu scholar, poet, and lyricist. Literature was never treated as something special or separate in our family. It was simply part of everyday life. Books were always around us, conversations often revolved around writing, and I frequently accompanied my father to literary meetings and gatherings.
Without realising it, I was learning to respect the power of words.
As I grew older, cinema became another influence. I loved film songs, but not for the reasons most people did. While others focused on the music, I paid attention to the lyrics. I was curious about how a few simple lines could express so much emotion and remain in people’s memories for years.
That interest stayed with me.
I pursued higher studies in Telugu literature, earned a gold medal at Osmania University, and later completed a PhD at Osmania University on Dasarathi Cinema Patallo Kavitatmakata, a study of the poetic beauty in the film songs of Dasarathi Krishnamacharya Garu. For years, I read, researched, wrote articles, and studied the work of lyricists whose words had shaped generations of listeners. At the time, I was simply following my interest. I never imagined it would eventually lead me into the film industry.
In 2022, director Thallada Sai Krishna Garu came across my writings and gave me an opportunity to write for cinema. What started with a love for lyrics gradually became a professional journey. Since then, I have written songs for films, short films, and web series, turning a lifelong passion into meaningful work.
One thing people often misunderstand about songwriting is that it is rarely a solitary process. A song has to fit a situation, a character, a melody, and the director’s vision. Lines get rewritten, words change, and sometimes revisions continue until the recording stage. Writing a song is not just about creativity. It is also about adaptability.
Alongside my work in cinema, I have continued my academic journey. Today, I serve as an Assistant Professor of Telugu at Nizam College, Osmania University, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students. I have also worked at IIIT Basara. Over the years, I have authored five books, including Akshara Shikaram, Chaitanya Lahari, Vishwa Veena Rubayulu, Sini Geetha Varanam, and Gyana Peeta Trayam.
Whether I am teaching in a classroom, writing a poem, or working on a song, everything begins with the same thing: a love for language.
Looking back, I feel grateful that I never rushed the process. The years I spent reading, learning, researching, and understanding literature gave me a foundation that continues to guide me today.
Many people want quick results, but every craft demands time. The work you do when nobody is watching often becomes the reason people notice you later. Learning may not bring immediate rewards, but it prepares you for opportunities when they arrive.”
— Dr. Sharath Chandra Thirunagari, Author, Lyricist & Assistant Professor