Gaddar, whose real name is Gummadi Vittal Rao holds a unique place in public life due to the immense love, affection and respect he receives from a large number of people, especially in the Telangana region of India. His poetry, lyrics and distinctive style have made him an iconic figure, and his performances attract enthusiastic audiences, with many people even emulating his style. Through his songs, Gaddar has become a powerful voice of resistance against the culture of impunity, state power and feudal exploitation.
Born in Medak district of Hyderabad state Gaddar grew up during the Greater Andhra Movement and the historic peasant revolt of Telangana which inspired millions of people beyond the state borders. During that time communication means were limited and social media did not exist, but stories of the left revolutionary movement were always on the lips of activists elsewhere.
In 1953, when the Indian government appointed a State Reorganisation Commission it recommended the creation of a separate Telangana state. However, there was a counter movement advocating for a Greater Andhra Pradesh. Despite the widespread protests and sentiments of the Telangana people the government decided to create Andhra Pradesh state with Hyderabad as its capital. The student protests in January 1969 marked one of the most significant movements in the state history. Although M Channa Reddy, who led the movement through the Telangana Praja Samithi, later merged with the Congress party and became Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh the people resentment persisted. Gaddar well known album issued in 1971 was a reflection of his participation in these conflicts as well as his awareness of the feelings and sentiments of his people.
After the emergency period Gaddar joined the radical left movement led by the cultural wing Jan Natya Mandali of the People War Group. The cultural thought in Telangana was always sympathetic to left wing radicalism due to historical reasons of exploitation and the land struggle. Gaddar cultural team popularized the perception that the left wing would bring about a revolution in the country despite whether the ordinary landless people ever got land or not.
As the government reach and power grew, the revolutionaries had to retreat deeper into the forests of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Gaddar and his poems were greatly respected, but Dalits had little interest in left-wing militancy. The growth of the Ambedkarite movement, self-assertion and faith in constitutionalism led to a feeling that the revolution envisioned through violent methods was not going to succeed and would only harm the youth of these communities.
Two major massacres of Dalits in Andhra Pradesh highlighted the fact that very little changed for the Dalit landless people and feudal lords continued to operate with impunity. The Karmchedu massacre in a village in Bapatla district in 1985 where 6 Dalits of the Madiga community were killed and many others injured by Khamma caste feudal landlords brought attention to the issue. The People War Group retaliated by killing one of the main accused but Ambedkarite sections opposed such violent actions and advocated for following the constitutional path.
Gaddar popular poetry and popularity were instrumental in spreading the message of state impunity and feudal structures. However, there was little emphasis on addressing the caste system and its root causes within the left movement at that time. The left movement primarily saw the state as its main enemy which contradicted the Ambedkarite approach that sought a strong state to protect the dignity and interests of Dalits. The Karmchedu incident further popularized Gaddar revolutionary songs making him the voice of the masses.
Gaddar, also known as Gummadi Vittal Rao was a prominent figure in public life admired and respected by a large number of people especially in the Telangana region of India. He was known for his iconic poetry, lyrics and unique style, attracting youths, women and men who not only watched his performances but also emulated his mannerisms.
Born in Medak district of Hyderabad state Gaddar grew up during significant movements like the Greater Andhra Movement and the peasant revolt of Telangana which inspired many across the country. He became part of the radical left led by People War Group cultural wing Jan Natya Mandali after the emergency period. The left wing radicalism in Telangana resonated with the historical struggles against exploitation and land issues.
Gaddar popular poetry and cultural team propagated the belief that the left wing would bring about a revolution in the country. However, Dalits were less interested in this approach and favored the Ambedkarite movement, self assertion and constitutionalism as a means of empowering themselves.
Two significant massacres in Andhra Pradesh the Karmchedu massacre and the Tsunduru massacre highlighted the ongoing oppression and impunity faced by Dalits. These incidents further popularized Gaddar's revolutionary songs making him the voice of the masses.
In the later years Gaddar started emphasizing the influence of Ambedkar and Buddha and he distanced himself from Maoist groups in 2010. He then ventured into electoral politics but faced challenges due to the changing political landscape.
Gaddar's influence extended beyond Telangana and he remained a cultural icon and source of inspiration for an entire generation of activists. He used art and culture as a form of resistance against oppression and exploitation. His passing is considered a significant loss to the people's movement and revolutionary poetry.
In conclusion, Gaddar contributions and iconic style left a lasting impact on Telangana heroic struggle, inspiring countless activists and artists in their fight for social justice. He will be remembered and saluted for his remarkable achievements.