Tollywood’s most sought-after lyricist, Kasarla Shyam, opens up about his journey from folk street plays to blockbuster chartbusters. Best known for his Telangana-infused lyrics in hits like Ramuloo Ramula, DJ Tillu and Balagam, Shyam shares how his deep-rooted connection to folklore and passion for storytelling shaped his career
suresh kavirayani
Kasarla Shyam, the name behind some of Tollywood’s biggest musical hits, has solidified his place as one of the industry’s top five lyricists. Known for his mastery of Telangana folk dialect and deep-rooted storytelling, Shyam has become the go-to lyricist for filmmakers seeking authenticity in their songs. From Ramuloo Ramula (Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo) to the unforgettable tracks in Balagam, DJ Tillu and Tillu Square, his journey is one of perseverance, passion and an unwavering dedication to the art of lyric writing.
While Kasarla Shyam had penned many songs before, it was Ramuloo Ramula from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020) that catapulted him to stardom. The song, infused with Telangana slang and a vibrant folk rhythm, became the second-fastest song to top the charts and remained a fan favorite for months.
Shyam recalls how he got the opportunity to work on this iconic track. “I had written a song for Nithiin’s film Lie and Trivikram Srinivas garu happened to be the chief guest at the event where it was released. He liked my work and later suggested to music director Thaman that I should write a song in Telangana slang for Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. That’s how Ramuloo Ramula happened,” he shares.
Born and raised in Hanamkonda, Warangal, Shyam pursued his post-graduation in Political Science and later completed an M.Phil. in Folk Arts in Hyderabad. His love for folk music was deeply influenced by legends like Warangal Shankar and Sarangapani, whom he considers his gurus.
His father, a stage artist and film actor, also played a crucial role in shaping his artistic inclination. “My school encouraged students to participate in cultural activities. Our correspondent, Upendra garu, was a writer himself, and he motivated us to write plays and poetry. I started writing poetry from my tenth grade,” Shyam reminisces.
Shyam’s journey into films wasn’t an easy one. Though he initially wrote and performed folk songs, his first breakthrough in cinema came when a senior co-director, Srinivas, introduced him to filmmaker B. Jaya. This led to his first song in the 2003 film Chantigadu.
Between 2003 and 2009, he juggled his career as a casual commentator at All India Radio’s Yuvavani program while occasionally writing songs for films. His major breakthrough came in 2009 with Krishna Vamsi’s Mahatma, thanks to actor Uttej, who introduced him to the director.
“During our discussions, Krishna Vamsi garu heard my folk song Neelapuri Gajula O Neelaveni—a song I had originally written for a street play. He liked it so much that he decided to include it in his film. That was the moment my name started getting recognized in the industry,” Shyam shares.
One of the reasons filmmakers seek out Shyam is his expertise in Telangana folk dialect and cultural nuances. His songs in Balagam, which is deeply rooted in Telangana culture, were massive hits. Similarly, he contributed songs to Dasara and has a deep passion for incorporating age-old Telangana words into his lyrics.
“I have traveled across almost all villages in Telangana as part of my folklore research. I try to infuse those words and traditions into my songs whenever possible,” he explains. Apart from writing lyrics, Shyam has also dabbled in music composition. He provided music for a few films made by his friends due to budget constraints, but he has since decided to focus solely on lyric writing.
His experimental approach to lyrics can be seen in songs like Dabidi Dibidi from Daaku Maharaj, where the lyrics cleverly integrate punch dialogues from Balakrishna’s films. “If you listen closely, you’ll notice how the lyrics reflect Balayya garu’s iconic dialogues,” he reveals.
Post-Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Kasarla Shyam’s songs have continued to dominate the charts, with hits from Mad (College Papa), DJ Tillu (Title Track), Tillu Square (Radhika Radhika) and Hanuman (Poolamme Pilla). He is currently working on Robinhood and Mad Square, releasing this week, as well as upcoming projects like Yellamma (directed by Balagam fame Venu), Nani’s Paradise, Ravi Teja’s Mass Jathara, Sai Dharam Tej’s Sambarala Yetigattu and Nithiin’s Thammudu. Despite being one of the most sought-after lyricists, Shyam remains grounded. His biggest inspiration in the industry is Chandrabose, another renowned lyricist from Warangal. “When I was a student, Chandrabose garu was an icon for me. His work inspired me to pursue a career in lyric writing,” he shares.
The camaraderie between lyricists in Tollywood is something he deeply values. “Whenever a song is released, we exchange congratulatory messages. Chandrabose garu has appreciated my work many times, which means a lot to me,” he says.
Kasarla Shyam’s journey has been deeply personal. His father, who once aspired to be an actor, had to return home after six unsuccessful years in Chennai. “I always wanted to enter the industry and succeed where my father couldn’t. Today, I am among the top five lyric writers, and my father is proud of my achievements,” he says with pride.
While his career continues to soar, Shyam remains connected to his roots, regula
