Boyi Bheemanna 

Hyderabad: Mahakavi Boyi Bheemanna (94), a noted Telugu scholar and Dalit poet who strove for the promotion of Telugu language, literature and culture for nearly seven decades, died here on Dec 16, 2005 following a brief illness. He is survived by wife, two sons and four daughters. Born in Mamidikuduru in East Godavari district, he was a former Member of the Legislative Council from 1978 to 1984, journalist and teacher before embarking on his literary feats. He was awarded Padma Bhushan. His work Gudiselu Kalipothunnayi bagged the Sahitya Akademi award in 1975.