# Kasarla Shyam
**Kasarla Shyam** (కాసర్ల శ్యామ్) is an Indian Telugu-language film lyricist, folk singer, and occasional music director who works primarily in [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema) and is known for songs written in the [Telangana](https://www.edgepedia.org/telangana) dialect and folk idiom.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) He won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics at the 71st [National Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-film-awards), announced in August 2025, for the song 'Ooru Palletooru' (ఊరూ పల్లెటూరు) from the 2023 film Balagam (బలగం).[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) Industry registries describe him as a music director and singer who has also worked as a lyricist,[3](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kasarla-shyam/1046314) and Telugu-language press identifies him as a leading recent name in writing songs in the Telangana dialect.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Native name and work | కాసర్ల శ్యామ్; Telugu film lyricist, also a singer and occasional music director[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) • [3](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kasarla-shyam/1046314) |
| Born | 1974[3](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kasarla-shyam/1046314) |
| Origins | Born in Warangal; family from the Hanamkonda region[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) • [1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) |
| Education | MA (2002) and MPhil (2004) in Janapadam (folk arts), Potti Sriramulu Telugu University[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) |
| Film debut | Chantigadu (2003), directed by Jaya; first film song 'Kokkoroko'[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) • [6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) |
| Breakthrough | 'Neelapuri Gajulu' (నీలపురి గాజులు) in Mahatma (మహాత్మా) (2009), written at Krishna Vamsi's request[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) |
| National recognition | National Film Award for Best Lyrics, 71st National Film Awards (2025), for 'Ooru Palletooru' from Balagam[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) |
| Documented output | Songs for more than 100 films; total song counts reported between more than 250 and more than 800[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) • [4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) • [1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) |
## Early life and background
Kasarla Shyam was born in Warangal,[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) in a family from the Hanamkonda region.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) His father, Kasarla Madhusudana Rao (కాసర్ల మధుసూదనరావు), was a stage and film actor who appeared in about 30 films, including తల్లిదీవెన, చలిచీమలు, and మంచికి స్థానం లేదు.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html)
**Folk beginnings.** His own profile dates his artistic start to 1984, when he performed the folk dance character 'Mantrala Mutthigadu' at a [Children's Day](https://www.edgepedia.org/childrens-day) (14 November) event organized by the Balala Academy in Warangal, won first prize, and was picked up by the troupe of the folk singer Warangal Shankar.[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) In 1995 he won second prize for Janapada Geethalu of Andhra Pradesh at the National Youth Festival in Bhopal.[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) Before entering cinema he wrote and sang Janapada (folk) songs for more than 50 albums.[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html)
After moving to [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad) he did not think about cinema for seven years and concentrated on his studies,[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) completing an MA in 2002 and an MPhil in 2004 in Janapadam (folk arts) at Potti Sriramulu Telugu University;[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) the Telugu daily Andhra Jyothy records the same degrees in folk arts.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) He later worked for a time as a casual announcer on Akashvani ([All India Radio](https://www.edgepedia.org/all-india-radio)).[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html)
**Identity across registries.** Telugu-language press prints his name as కాసర్ల శ్యామ్ and frames him around the Telangana dialect and folk idiom.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) AllMusic maintains a dedicated artist entry (mn0002515440) crediting him as Composer, Lead Vocals, Lyricist, and Primary Artist, including for *Raakshasa Kaavyam*.[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kasarla-shyam-mn0002515440) BookMyShow's personnel listing describes him as an Indian film music director and singer who has also worked as lyricist,[3](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kasarla-shyam/1046314) and Moviebuff maintains a filmography under the same name.[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/kasarla-shyam)
## Career and breakthrough
His film entry came with *Chantigadu* (చంటిగాడు) in 2003, directed by Jaya,[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) a debut BookMyShow's registry also records as his entry into the film industry as a lyricist.[3](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kasarla-shyam/1046314) His first stint as a lyricist was 'Kokkoroko', a fast-beat hit from that film with tunes composed by [Vandemataram Srinivas](https://www.edgepedia.org/vandemataram-srinivas);[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) his profile adds 'Siggulolike' from the same film.[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) Cinema Express, however, dates the start of his career to the late 2000s,[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) which conflicts with the 2003 debut documented by Chitrajyothy, BookMyShow, and the Times of India.
**Mahatma.** The director Krishna Vamsi had him write 'Neelapuri Gajulu' (నీలపురి గాజులు) for the 2009 film *Mahatma* (మహాత్మా), and its popularity intensified his attempts to establish himself as a lyricist.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) Chitrajyothy identifies the song as 'Neelapuri Gajula O Neelaveni' and calls it the point at which he gained recognition;[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) he has said he also sang it himself.[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect)
Two further milestones he singles out are **single-card and comeback assignments**. His first single-card film, meaning he wrote the full set of six songs, was [Ram Gopal Varma](https://www.edgepedia.org/ram-gopal-varma)'s *Rowdy*, which he calls RGV's comeback film.[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect) • [5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) The second was writing the song 'Bombhaat' for the composer [Mani Sharma](https://www.edgepedia.org/mani-sharma) in *Lie*, which people considered the composer's comeback.[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect)
His film credits span two decades of Telugu cinema: Cinema Express lists *F2: Fun and Frustration*, *Ala Vaikunthapurramlo*, and *Jathi Ratnalu* among his major credits,[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) and an April 2025 interview adds *Mahatma*, *Lie*, *Dasara*, *Balagam*, *Dhamaka*, *Game Changer*, *Bhola Shankar*, and *Hanu-Man*.[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect) In a 2020 interview he was slated to write for *Ranga Marthanda*, *Orey Bujjiga*, *RED*, *Solo Brathuke So Better*, *[Narappa](https://www.edgepedia.org/narappa)*, *Seeti Maar*, *Jathi Ratnalu*, *[Krack](https://www.edgepedia.org/krack-film)*, *Paagal*, and *Super Machi*.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms)
## Notable songs and collaborations
His best-documented songs include 'Neelapoori Gajula' (*Mahatma*), 'Bombhaat' (*Lie*), 'Kothagunna Haaye' (*Prema Katha Chitram*), 'Ring Tring' (*Ee Rojullo*), 'Sailaja Reddy Alludu Choode' (*Sailaja Reddy Alludu*), and 'Thakita Thakita' (*Prati Roju Pandage*).[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) His profile adds 'Melamellaga' (*Venkatadri Express*), three songs in *Prema Katha Chitram*, 'Kalalake Kanulochina' (*Bus Stop*), and two songs in *Ee Rojullo*.[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) The Avakai festival profile names 'Ramulo Ramula' and 'Tillu Anna DJ Pedithe' as his superhit songs.[10](https://avakaifestival.com/speakers/kasarla-shyam)
'Ramulo Ramula' from *Ala Vaikunthapurramloo*, composed by SS Thaman, struck a chord with listeners and was one of the most highly rated songs of its year.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) The award-winning 'Ooru Palletooru' was sung by Mangli, known for her rustic vocals, and Ram Miriyala, with Bheems Ceciroleo as composer.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru)
**Composers and directors.** Across his career he has written for Vandemataram Srinivas (*Chantigadu*),[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) SS Thaman,[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) Mani Sharma (*Lie*),[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect) Bheems Ceciroleo (*Balagam*),[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) and, per his festival profile, [Ilaiyaraaja](https://www.edgepedia.org/ilaiyaraaja) and [Devi Sri Prasad](https://www.edgepedia.org/devi-sri-prasad), alongside directors such as Shankar and RGV.[10](https://avakaifestival.com/speakers/kasarla-shyam) He also composes and records in his own right: Moviebuff credits him as playback singer, lyricist, and music director on the 2015 Telugu film *The Bells*,[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/kasarla-shyam) his profile names him music director for that film, directed by Praveen Chander Nellutla,[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html) and AllMusic lists him as composer and primary artist on tracks including 'Vavvare' (Yellamma) associated with the film *Pottel*.[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kasarla-shyam-mn0002515440)
## Writing style and themes
His signature register is the Telangana dialect. He describes it as carrying a unique energy and notes that most of his songs that received global recognition are in that dialect; he also says he revives forgotten or lesser-used Telugu words and makes them relatable for younger audiences.[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect) Andhra Jyothy's profile frames him the same way, as a prominent recent name in writing songs in the Telangana dialect and folk idiom.[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html)
**Working process.** He starts from the director's vision, listens to what they want, and researches and studies similar songs in the genre before writing, to bring something fresh to the material.[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect) He distinguishes two kinds of briefs: directors who value lyrics explain the film's story and the situation to him, while some filmmakers give only the gist, leaving him freedom of imagination.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) For 'Ooru Palletooru' he has described the intent as creating a song as pure and organic as a small village, capturing the bonding among village people.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru)
## By the numbers
Film counts conflict across sources. Cinema Express (2025) places him at more than 100 films, while Chitrajyothy (2025) reports 100 films,[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) • [4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) while his own profile claims lyrics for 60 films, around 150 songs in Tollywood.[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html)
Song totals diverge even more. Andhra Jyothy's 2025 feature states more than 800 songs written to date;[1](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html) the Times of India reported about 150 albums and 300 songs as of 2020;[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms) Chitrajyothy says more than 250 songs across 100 films;[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html) and his own profile claims around 150 film songs plus over 5,000 songs for private albums and around 2,000 songs as a singer since 1984.[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html)
## Recognition and reception
At the 71st National Film Awards, announced in August 2025, he won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for 'Ooru Palletooru' from *Balagam*, one of six National awards won by Telugu cinema that year.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) *Balagam* was written and directed by Venu Yeldandi, starred Priyadarshi, and became a sleeper box-office hit depicting the Telangana village milieu.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) On the award, Chitrajyothy quotes him saying he is happy, as a Telugu person (తెలుగు వాడి), at the recognition it brought.[4](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html)
**The 2012 Santosham award, two accounts.** [BookMyShow](https://www.edgepedia.org/bookmyshow) states he won the Santosham Film Award for Best Music Director for the movie *Bus Stop* in 2012.[3](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kasarla-shyam/1046314) NETTV4U instead reports the 2012 Santosham Film Award for the song 'Kalalake Kanulochina' from Maruthi Dasari's *Bus Stop*.[11](https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/telugu/lyricist/kasarla-shyam) Both accounts agree on the awarding body, the year, and the film, but not on the category. His earliest documented prize predates cinema: the first prize he won in 1984 for the 'Mantrala Mutthigadu' folk-dance performance at the Balala Academy Children's Day event in Warangal.[5](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html)
## What has changed since 2023
The period after late 2023 produced his highest recognition and a widening credit list. *Balagam* (2023) carried him to the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 2025.[2](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru) In an April 2025 interview he said he had written Telugu songs for *Viduthalai 2* with Ilaiyaraaja, recording over three days, and recalled the composer appreciating every single line.[9](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect) Moviebuff credits him as lyricist on *Vey Dharuvey* (2024) and *Rebels of Thupakula Gudem* (2023), and lists upcoming Telugu projects (*Box*, *Sachindi Ra Gorre*) and cross-language projects as TBA: *Ikshu* (Malayalam and Kannada), *Jamba Lakidi Pamba* (Hindi), *Mass Masala* (Hindi), and *Asura Vamsam* (Tamil).[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/kasarla-shyam)
His public profile has also expanded beyond film credits. He is listed as a speaker at the Avakai 2026 Amaravati Festival of Cinema, Culture & [Literature](https://www.edgepedia.org/literature),[10](https://avakaifestival.com/speakers/kasarla-shyam) and AllMusic lists him as composer and primary artist on compilation releases dated 2026, including *Tollywood Romantic Songs*, *10 Telugu Superhits*, *Tollywood Divine & Spiritual Melodies*, and *Musical Hits*.[7](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kasarla-shyam-mn0002515440)
## References
1. [నాతో నేనే పోటీపడతా | Kaasarla Shyam Voice of Telangana Folk, Andhra Jyothy (2025)](https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2025/navya/kaasarla-shyam-voice-of-telangana-folk-1413287.html)
2. [EXCLUSIVE: Kasarla Shyam: "Happy to win National award for a pure, organic song like 'Ooru Palletooru'", Cinema Express (2025)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Aug/01/exclusive-kasarla-shyam-happy-to-win-national-award-for-a-pure-organic-song-like-ooru-palletooru)
3. [Kasarla Shyam – Movies, Biography, News, Age & Photos, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/kasarla-shyam/1046314)
4. [కాసర్ల శ్యామ్: పల్లె పాటకు గౌరవం | National Honour for Folk Lyricist Kasarla Shyam, Chitrajyothy (2025)](https://www.chitrajyothy.com/2025/tollywood/national-honour-for-folk-lyricist-kasarla-shyam-65200.html)
5. [About – KASARLA SHYAM (official self-published profile)](https://kasarlashyam.weebly.com/about.html)
6. [Lyrics resonate with listeners; therefore I take utmost care while writing, says lyricist Kasarla Shyam, Times of India (2020)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/lyrics-resonate-with-listeners-therefore-i-take-utmost-care-while-writing-says-lyricist-kasarla-shyam/articleshow/74851387.cms)
7. [Kasarla Shyam: Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews | AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kasarla-shyam-mn0002515440)
8. [Kasarla Shyam on Moviebuff.com](https://www.moviebuff.com/kasarla-shyam)
9. [Kasarla Shyam: There's a unique energy in the Telangana dialect, The New Indian Express (2025)](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2025/Apr/12/kasarla-shyam-theres-a-unique-energy-in-the-telangana-dialect)
10. [Kasarla Shyam | Avakai 2026 | Amaravati Festival of Cinema, Culture & Literature](https://avakaifestival.com/speakers/kasarla-shyam)
11. [Telugu Lyricist Kasarla Shyam Biography, News, Photos, Videos, NETTV4U](https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/telugu/lyricist/kasarla-shyam)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Songwriters and record producers › Songwriters and lyricists*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license