Celebrating the golden jubilee of the journalistic career of prominent journalist Devulapalli Amar

by  Aaunuri Sammayya

He plays with the fifty-six letters of the Telugu alphabet like a master craftsman. Every letter, every word, every sentence he constructs carries precision, power, and a human touch. His writings reach straight to the heart of the common reader, awaken sharp thoughts in the mind, unsettle political corridors, alert authorities, and captivate readers across all walks of life.

Amar’s mastery is not confined to Telugu alone. He wields English with equal flair—sharp, incisive, and evocative. Add to this his eloquence in Urdu, and you see a communicator whose voice resonates across languages. Beyond writing, he is a compelling speaker and a natural leader. His personality embraces even those who oppose him, reflecting a rare combination of courage, intellect, and empathy.

Born into a literary family, with his father Devulapalli Madan Mohan Rao being a revered poet in Telugu and Urdu, Amar could have easily chosen literature. Yet journalism beckoned, and he answered with unwavering commitment. From the very start, he immersed himself in the struggles of journalists, joining movements that shaped press freedom in the region.

Amar began his career in 1976 as a trainee journalist at Eenadu. The Hyderabad edition had just started, and Amar was part of the first strike that challenged management for fair treatment. Dismissed for his activism, he emerged stronger, joining Andhra Bhoomi in 1977, and later, from 1987, becoming the staff reporter for Andhra Prabha and Indian Express in the united Karimnagar district.

The period was turbulent. The Naxalite movement raged across northern Telangana, and journalists operated under constant threat—from both insurgents and authorities. Amar, however, navigated these dangers with courage and integrity. He provided freedom to contributors across the district, championed press accountability, and ensured that truth reached the people. One memorable episode in Sircilla saw him confronting the police to save a falsely accused journalist—cementing his reputation as a fearless protector of press freedom.

Over decades, Amar rose to prominence in journalist associations, serving as President of the Karimnagar District Working Journalists Association, National President and General Secretary of the Indian Journalists Union, and a member of the Press Council of India. He led journalist movements, advocated for media freedom, mentored generations of reporters, and guided rural journalists through some of the most perilous times in the region.

Amar’s career spans legendary roles—Bureau Chief, Assistant Editor, Editor, media advisor, and TV host. His programs, like “Fourth Estate” on Amar Sakshi TV, brought incisive journalism into households for years. Currently, as editor of Mana Telangana, he continues to inspire and lead.

Away from work, Amar’s life is equally rich. He and his partner Sulochana, in a celebrated inter-caste stage marriage at the Basheerbagh Press Club, have nurtured a family that continues his legacy: son Rahul works for The Week, and daughter-in-law Rishika for Reuters.

For fifty years, Devulapalli Amar has been more than a journalist—he is a guardian of truth, a mentor, and above all, a tireless warrior of letters. His life is a testament to the power of words, courage, and integrity.