When I was entering the film industry, a great person I met was Sri Shivashakti Datta Garu. He taught me a great deal about literature, the guru-disciple relationship, and my perspective on cinema concerning social issues. As everyone knows, he was not only a writer and director but also a great painter.
I had the privilege of organizing exhibitions of his self-painted oil paintings. In 2012, I actively worked on the exhibition program of his paintings. It was then that Sri Shivashakti Datta Garu introduced me to prominent personalities like SS. Rajamouli Garu, Raghavendra Rao Garu, Rama Naidu Garu, Krish Garu, and M.M. Keeravani Garu.
After that, our journey together was very emotional. He used to visit our home and spend the whole day cheerfully with us. We all used to celebrate his birthday as well.
If I keep recounting, there are countless memories…
Beyond all this, his knowledge of film stories was immense. He taught me the process of writing film stories and introduced a new approach to Telugu grammar and Telugu literature.
The acquaintance with Shivashakti Garu is a priceless memory I gained in my life.
It’s very saddening that he has left us all yesterday. Telugu cinema has lost a cultural treasure.
–Bandook Lakshman
