Who Is M. M. Keeravani's Father Shiva Shakthi Datta? Telugu Film Industry Mourns His Passing At 92

Shiva Shakthi Datta Passes Away: Shiva Shakthi Datta, a veteran writer and lyricist known for his contributions to Telugu cinema and the father of Academy Award-winning composer M. M. Keeravani, passed away on Monday night, July 7, at the age of 92. According to Samayam Telugu, he died due to age-related health complications. His passing has led to an outpouring of condolences from across the Telugu film industry.

Born as Koduri Subbarao on October 8, 1932, Shiva Shakthi Datta hailed from Kovvur, near Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. Drawn to painting and music from an early age, he dropped out of college in Eluru and studied at Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai. After earning a diploma, he returned home and began painting under the pen name Kamalesh. Eventually, he adopted the name Shiva Shakthi Datta.

Shiva Shakthi Datta was not only a lyricist but also a screenwriter and director. He contributed lyrics and storylines to many Telugu films, often working closely with his son, Keeravani, and his nephew, director S.S. Rajamouli. He wrote songs for films such as Baahubali, RRR, Rajanna, Sye, Chatrapathi, and Hanu-Man. His song "Anjandri Theme" in Hanu-Man, directed by Prasanth Varma, was one of his final works.

Shiva Shakthi Datta's directorial credit includes Chandrahas, and he wrote the screenplay for the Nagarjuna-starrer Janaki Ramudu. Some of his well-known songs include "Mamathala Thalli," "Deevara," "Agni Sklana," "Mannela Thintivira," "Saahore Baahubali," "Ramam Raghavam," and "Amma Avani."

Beyond cinema, he was deeply involved in art. As reported by Samayam Telugu, his home was filled with paintings of gods, which left a lasting impression on actor Anupam Kher, who once publicly expressed awe at the spiritual and artistic ambiance of Shiva Shakthi Datta's house.

Shiva Shakthi Datta came from a family deeply embedded in the Telugu film industry. His brother, V. Vijayendra Prasad, is a prominent screenwriter known for films like Baahubali and RRR. His children include music director M. M. Keeravani and composer-singer Kalyani Malik. He was also the uncle of singer and composer M. M. Srilekha and filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli.

Industry Mourns the Loss of Shiva Shakthi Datta

Following his passing, Rajamouli is reportedly expected to pause production on his current project with Mahesh Babu. As Samayam Telugu notes, the family is in deep mourning, with tributes pouring in from across the film fraternity. Many in Tollywood have extended their sympathies and offered prayers for Shiva Shakthi Datta's soul to rest in peace.