Chandhala Kesavadasu (20 June 1876 – 14 May 1956) is the first lyricist in the history of the Telugu Film Industry.

[1] In addition to dialogues and poems, H.M. Reddy made Chandala Kesavadasu to pen songs for Bhakta Prahlada (1931).

The great poet Kesavadasu, thus remains in the history of Telugu Cinema to have penned its first song Thanaya Itulan Thagadhura Palukaa...for the first Telugu talkie film Bhakta Prahlada (1931 film) that was released in the year 1931.

The other songs include Parithaapambu.. and Bheekarambagu Naa.. in the same film and Bhale Manchi Chowka Beramu.. (Sri Krishna Tulabaram).

He was born to Chandala Laxminarayana and Papamma in Jakkepalli[2] Village, Kusumanchi Mandal, Khammam district, Telangana, India.