People of United Warangal, the old undivided Warangal district, who made their name in music, film, writing, the arts, sport and public life. Each card says how they are tied to the region and links to its source.
Poet and songwriter
1961β2025
Born hereπ Rebarthi, Maddur mandal (then Warangal district, now Siddipet district)
Born Ande Yellaiah, a shepherd and self-taught poet. Wrote "Jaya Jaya He Telangana", adopted as the state song in 2024.
Classical Telugu poet
15th century
Historical associationπ Bammera, Jangaon district (also claimed by Vontimitta, Andhra Pradesh)
Wrote Sri Maha Bhagavatamu, known as Pothana Bhagavatam.
Medieval poet
12thβ14th century
Historical associationπ Palakurthi, Jangaon district (birthplace disputed)
Wrote Basava Purana and Panditaradhya Charitra.
Poet and film lyricist
1925β1987
Born hereπ Chinnaguduru, Maripeda mandal, Mahabubabad district
Poetry collections Agnidhara and Rudraveena, about 2,000 film songs, and Asthana Kavi of Andhra Pradesh. The state's Dasarathi Award is named after him.
People's poet and freedom fighter
1914β2002
Lived & worked hereπ Warangal
Most biographies give his birthplace as Rattihalli, Karnataka; he was schooled at Madikonda and lived, worked and died in Warangal.
Wrote Naa Godava. His birthday, 9 September, is Telangana Language Day, and the health university in Warangal carries his name.
Novelist
b. 1941
Born hereπ Vavilala, Palakurthi mandal; lives in Hanumakonda
Wrote the novel Ampashayya, which gave him his pen name.
Poet and literary critic
b. 1940
Born hereπ Chinna Pendyala, Chilpur mandal, Jangaon district
Fifteen poetry collections and the literary journal Srujana (1966β92).
9th Prime Minister of India, writer
1921β2004
Born hereπ Laknepalli, Narsampet mandal, Warangal district; raised at Vangara, Hanumakonda district
Prime Minister 1991β96. Translated Veyipadagalu into Hindi and wrote the novel The Insider.
Journalist and writer
1921β1996
Born hereπ Warangal
Started the Telugu journal Kakatiya Patrika with his cousin P. V. Narasimha Rao in the 1940s. Kakatiya University holds an endowment lecture in his name.
We list people only when a reliable source places them in the region. Still checking: athletics coach Nagapuri Ramesh (Dronacharya Award 2016), poet Potlapally Rama Rao, freedom fighter Akkinepalli Thirupathi, lyricists Kasarla Shyam and Mittapalli Surender, and older Padma awardees. Someone missing? Tell us with a source and we'll add them.
For the freedom struggle and the Telangana movement, see history.
