{
  "id": 13449746,
  "title": "Lyrical evangelist Ezra Sastry passes away",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/lyrical-evangelist-ezra-sastry-passes-away",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-10T15:41:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/lyrical-evangelist-ezra-sastry-passes-away/article71568887.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ezra Sastry, a revered lyrical evangelist who ministered to Christian congregations in the Telugu States for more than half a century, passed away due to cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Secunderabad on Saturday morning, October 10. At 72 years old, Sastry was celebrated for his talents as a singer, songwriter, composer, and musician, who had devoted his life to spreading the Christian message through his art. Jetti A. Oliver, chairman of the Telugu Christava Sahithi Samithi, expressed deep sorrow over his passing, stating that Sastry was a revered musician and a masterful lyrical evangelist. Sastry's funeral will be held at Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad on Sunday, October 11, at 2 p.m., following which his body will be interred at the Secunderabad Christian Cemetery.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Ezra Sastry, 72, died of cardiac arrest in Secunderabad",
    "Celebrated lyrical evangelist, singer, songwriter, composer",
    "Funeral at Centenary Baptist Church on October 11"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}