Gaddar, renowned for his roles as a poet, singer, and revolutionary, stands out as one of the most prominent creative minds linked with India's people's resistance movements. Born as Gummadi Vittal Rao in 1947 in Tupran village within the Medak district of present-day Telangana, Gaddar embraced activism in his early years, having abandoned his engineering studies due to financial constraints. Possessing a natural talent for songwriting and singing, he embarked on a journey that took him down the path of music, often operating in secrecy, as he reached and influenced a substantial number of people. Gaddar became synonymous with 'rebellion,' a meaning that aligns with his chosen pseudonym.
Among the multitude of songs performed by Gaddar, only a handful were ever documented in written form. "My Life Is a Song" presents a compilation of twenty-three representative songs, translated into English for the first time, carefully selected by his companion and fellow journeyer, Vasanth Kannabiran. These translations capture Gaddar's distinctive style and delivery, offering a glimpse into the exceptional 'anthems' composed by one of India's most remarkable singer-poets—a living legend of revolutionary ideology. This collection serves to introduce the profound works of Gaddar to a broader audience, bridging the gap between his indigenous Telugu