Tilak was born on August 1, 1921, in the village of Mandapaka in the Tanuku Taluk district.

He completed his intermediate studies at AVN College in Visakhapatnam and then joined Loyola College in Chennai (formerly Madras), but had to discontinue his education due to health issues. He later established the Vigjnana Parishad in Tanuku, which was later renamed Sahiti Sarovaram, and engaged in various literary activities.

Tilak wrote his first story at the age of 11, which was published in Madhuri Magazine. By the age of 16, he had started writing poetry and developed a unique writing style.

His most famous work, "Amrutham Kurisina Ratri," was translated into English as "The Night the Nectar Rained" by Velchala Kondal Rao. Another translation, "The Night of Nectar," was done by B. Indira.

Tilak passed away on July 1, 1966, at the age of 44.