Siva Sakthi Datta, father of renowned music director MM Keeravani, passed away on Monday night at the age of 92. A multi-talented personality, he worked as a director, screenwriter, lyricist and producer. With his fluency in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Sanskrit, he penned lyrics for several notable films during his illustrious career
Suresh Kavirayani
sureshkavirayani@gmail.com
Siva Sakthi Datta, father of renowned music director MM Keeravani, passed away on Monday night at his residence in Manikonda, Hyderabad. He was 92. A multifaceted personality, Datta was a lyricist, screenwriter, director and producer and was also the elder brother of writer Vijayendra Prasad.
Born as Koduri Subba Rao on October 8, 1932, in Kovvur near Rajahmundry, he was the second son in the family of Koduri Apparao, a landlord and contractor. Datta studied at CR Reddy College, Eluru, but discontinued his education to pursue his passion in the arts. He moved to Mumbai, joined JJ School of Arts and learned painting. Upon returning to Kovvur, he began painting under the name Kamalesh, later adopting the name Siva Sakthi Datta.
Following his father’s death, Datta relocated to Raichoti, Karnataka, sold his ancestral lands and purchased nearly 300 acres to pursue agriculture. After spending 16 years there, he moved to Chennai to pursue his cinematic ambitions. He started his journey in films by working as an assistant to LV Prasad and later as a ghostwriter along with his brother Vijayendra Prasad.
Datta produced a film titled Pillanagrovi in 1985 with JV Somayajulu as the lead. However, the film couldn’t be completed, pushing him into financial difficulties. He then focused entirely on writing, often collaborating with his brother.
As an actor, he debuted in the film Thandrulu Kodukulu (1961) directed by K. Hemambharadhara Rao. Datta also directed Chandrahas in 2007, starring Krishna as Chhatrapathi Shivaji. Though the film didn’t succeed commercially, he wrote the story and lyrics.
A true polymath, Datta was trained in guitar, sitar, veena and harmonium and was fluent in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Sanskrit. His lyrical debut came with Janaki Ramudu, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, which marked a turning point in his film journey. He went on to pen songs for Sai, Chatrapathi, Rajanna, Shirdi Sai, both parts of Baahubali, Pellisandadi, RRR and HanuMan.
He is survived by his three sons—MM Keeravani, Kalyani Malik and Sivasri Kanchi. A remarkable anecdote surrounds Keeravani’s name: Datta, a lover of music, once asked composer S. Rajeswara Rao about the raga used in the song Endukoyi Thotamalee from Vipranarayana. Upon learning it was Raga Keeravani, he decided to name his son after it. Datta was deeply proud of Keeravani and became emotional when he won an Oscar Award. Notably, music director MM Sreelekha is his niece.
The Telugu film fraternity mourned his demise. AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan praised Datta’s literary contributions, stating, “He was passionate about arts and literature and had deep knowledge in Telugu and Sanskrit. He contributed immensely as a lyricist.”
Actor Mahesh Babu visited Keeravani’s home to pay his respects. Several industry figures also paid tribute. Actor Chiranjeevi posted on social media, “Shiva Shakti Datta was a painter, Sanskrit scholar, writer, storyteller and a multi-faceted genius. I was shocked to hear he attained Shivaikyam.” He extended heartfelt condolences to Keeravani and his family.
