Ezra Sastry

Ezra Sastry's exact date and place of birth have not been made public. He was 72 when he died in October 2026, which places his birth in 1953 or 1954. He trained in Carnatic music, the classical music tradition of South India, and learned to play many musical instruments, according to FEBA India and the UECF song library. Details of his parents, schooling and early church life have not been published in the sources available.

Sastry spent more than five decades as a full-time gospel singer, musician and composer, serving congregations across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He operated as Music Ministries India from a post box in Secunderabad, through which his cassettes and CDs were distributed. The Hindu described him as a lyrical evangelist: someone whose preaching was carried mainly by songs he wrote, set to music and sang. He was frequently styled Rev. Dr. Ezra Sastry in church and media settings.

Documented albums include Andhra Christian Hymns (T-Series, 1996), Suprasidha Suvartha Sunaadamulu (1996), Andhra Christava Keertanalu (2002), Andhra Christian Songs volumes 1 and 2, and Silver Jubilee Melodies of Ezra Sastry. Songs closely linked with him include Ye Reethi Nee Runam, Siluve Naa Saranaayenuraa, Aparaadhini Yesayya, Devuni Prema Idigo, Tanuvu Naadidigo, Vandanambonarthumo Prabho, Krupa Venuka Krupalenno and Neevanti Devudu Yevaru. He composed the music for the album Nireekshana Neevegaa, which featured S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, M. M. Srilekha, Elisha Gulli and others. Silver Jubilee Melodies includes lyrics by other Telugu hymn writers, among them Rev. Ranjit Ophir and Rev. Nalla Thomas.

His official YouTube channel names him as the founder of Keerthana and of the Yesu Naama Gaana Sabha. Keerthana episodes, including one published in 2019, presented his songs and messages and introduced new singers and musicians. FEBA India credited him with encouraging many talents to serve in Christian music.

Sastry lived and worked in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son. Their names have not been made public in news reports.

Sastry was a Christian evangelist who presented his life story as a testimony. He shared that testimony in interviews with Joshua Elliot Ministries, HOST India, Adarana TV, Anveshi TV and Symphony Music. His songs focus on the cross, grace, repentance and gratitude to God, themes reflected in titles such as Siluve Naa Saranaayenuraa (The cross is my refuge) and Ye Reethi Nee Runam (How can I repay your debt).

Over five decades Sastry became one of the best-known voices in Telugu Christian music, and his hymns continue to be sung in churches across both Telugu States and the diaspora. Jetti A. Oliver of the Telugu Christava Sahithi Samithi called him a music therapist and lyrical evangelist par excellence. Within a day of his death churches and choirs, including Shekinah Fellowship Church and Berean Bible Fellowship in Kurnool, shared recordings of his songs and talks in tribute.

Sastry appeared on Anveshi TV (2017), on Aantharyam with A. R. Stevenson for Symphony Music (2020 and 2021), on HOST India (2020), on Open Heart with Ravi Kiran for Adarana TV (2021), in a My Story for His Glory testimony for Joshua Elliot Ministries, and in a 2023 FEBA India episode of The Story Behind the Song about Aakaasha Vaasulaaraa. He also published his own songs and messages on the Ezra Sastry Official YouTube channel.

Sastry died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Secunderabad in the early hours of Saturday, 10 October 2026, aged 72, The Hindu reported. His funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, 11 October 2026 at Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad, followed by burial at the Secunderabad Christian Cemetery.