Namashokar,
Christianity is in Andhra made it presence felt in a big way during
1968--76. This is mainly through Radio Broadcasts of famous
Ceylon(??) Broadcasting Corporation Present form of Sri Lanka
Broadcasting Corporation. Through their broadcasts of PREMA VANI
anchor man G.John of Kakinada. Not knowing the regulations of AIR I
used to wonder why the hell a guy sitting in Kaaakeenaada(G.John's
accent) needs to broadcast from SriLanka when an All India Radio is
next to Andhra University Campus.
Andhra Guys fondly remember this PREMA VANI as a big pain talking big
portion of their favorite film songs program(remember the magic voice of
Meenakshi Ponnudurai, and standard letter of song request by Akkineni
RajMalliah). Being in high (6th class) school not knowing there are
different letters needed for out of country within the country I wrote a
song request to Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation on an inland letter
and it bounced back, that time I have no clue why the hell a letter I wrote
without my parents knowledge ended up in my mother's hands...rest is
for your imagination.
Coming to your question of evangelistic writers
S.P. Bala Subramayam is famous singer of all these songs, may be that
time he was singing these songs to break the Ghantasala barrier.
One writer I know is Modukuri Johnson (he is my father's classmate in
M.Sc.) he is very good writer his talent was not recognized finally ended
up as a ghost writer to some other people.
One fact is true these songs are remembered for their rich lyric and
western music mixed with traditional music and their parody style.
Good example is
Nadipinchu Naa Nava Nadi Sandhramuna Deva......
Regards,
Prasad Tata