Gaddar is known for his powerful and thought-provoking folk songs that highlight social and political issues, especially those related to the struggles of the marginalized and oppressed sections of society.
Telangana Folk Singer Gaddar
Last Updated On: 12 August 2023
Gaddar, whose real name is Gummadi Vittal Rao, is a prominent Telangana folk singer, revolutionary poet, and activist. He was born in 1949 in the Warangal district of Telangana, India. Gaddar is known for his powerful and thought-provoking folk songs that highlight social and political issues, especially those related to the struggles of the marginalized and oppressed sections of society.
Key points about Gaddar:
Naxalite Movement: Gaddar was actively involved in the Naxalite (Maoist) movement in the 1970s and early 1980s. He was associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) People's War Group (PWG) and was a prominent underground revolutionary.
Folk Music and Activism: Gaddar used his talent as a folk singer to spread revolutionary ideas and raise awareness about social inequalities and the plight of the poor and marginalized. He performed folk songs that resonated with the struggles of the working class and oppressed sections of society.
Outlawed: Due to his involvement in the Naxalite movement, Gaddar was declared an outlaw by the government, and there was a reward for his capture. He lived underground for several years to avoid arrest.
Surrender and Transition: In the late 1980s, Gaddar decided to surrender and join the mainstream political process. He quit the armed struggle and became involved in democratic politics.
Gaddar Party: After surrendering, Gaddar founded the Jana Natya Mandali (People's Theatre Group), also known as the Gaddar Party. The group continued to use folk music and drama as a means of raising social and political awareness.
Political Activism: Gaddar has been associated with various political movements and parties in Telangana. He actively campaigned for separate statehood for Telangana and supported the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) during the Telangana statehood agitation.
Social Causes: Gaddar remains committed to social causes and continues to use his art and voice to address issues like caste discrimination, land rights, and the welfare of farmers and laborers.
Gaddar's folk songs and poetry continue to be popular among the people of Telangana and beyond. He is celebrated for his dedication to social justice, his commitment to the causes of the oppressed, and his impactful contributions to the folk music and revolutionary movements in the region.