Gurajada Apparao
Gurajada Apparao | |
---|---|
Poornamma | |
Spouse(s) | Appala Narasamma, 1885 |
Children | Lakshmi Narasamma (daughter) Venkata Ramadasu (son) |
Awards | Emeritus Fellow, University of Madras |
Gurajada Venkata Apparao (21 September 1862 – 30 November 1915) was an Indian playwright, dramatist, poet, and writer known for his works in
In 1897, Kanyasulkam was published (by
Early life and education
Gurajada was born in a
In 1887, Gurajada spoke at a Congress Party meeting in Vizianagaram. His daughter Voleti Lakshmi Narasamma was born in 1887. He was simultaneously involved in social work and became a member of the Voluntary Service Corps in Visakhapatnam in 1888. He was elected vice-president of the Ananda Gajapati Debating club in 1889. His son Gurajada Venkata Ramadasu was born in 1890. In 1891 he was promoted to Lecturer (Level III) with a salary of Rs.125. He taught the F.A. and B.A. classes several subjects including English Grammar, Sanskrit Literature, Translation, Greek and Roman Histories. His younger brother Syamala Rao died in 1892 while studying at Madras Law College.[9][10]
1908 Congress session at Madras
In 1911, he was appointed to the Board of Studies by
Kanyasulkam
Kanyasulkam is about the deplorable condition of widows in traditional Brahmin families in the Andhra region of India during the 19th century.[citation needed] The play is a highly thought-provoking social drama dealing with social issues relevant to the time. Gurajada Apparao was deeply troubled by the double standards, hypocrisy and social inequalities in the Indian society. The English preface to the first edition of his play states: "Such a scandalous state of things is a disgrace to society, and literature can not have a higher function than to show up such practices and give currency to a high standard of moral ideas.[9][10] Until reading habits prevail among masses, one must look only to the stage to exert such healthy influence."
Perhaps for the first time in Telugu literary history, a
Personal life
Gurajada married Appala Narasamma in 1885. He continued his studies and graduated with B.A. (Philosophy major and Sanskrit minor) in 1886. For some period during 1886, he worked as Head Clerk in the Deputy Collector's office. On Vijayadasami day, 1887, he joined as a Lecturer (Level IV) in M.R. College with a salary of Rs.100. Around the same time, he was introduced to Maharajah Pusapati Ananda Gajapati Raju (1850–1897).[9][10]
In 1905, Gurajada's mother died.[
Retirement and death
Gurajada retired in 1913, and the then
Bibliography
Other literature works
- The Cook (N/A. An English Poem -1882)
- Sarangadhara (In English, a long poem, (padya kavyam) -1883. {Refer a letter addressed by the Editor of Reis and Rayyet, to Gundukurti Venkataramanaiah, dated:14-8-1883)
- Chandrahasa (N/A. An English long poem, padya kavyam - Authorship and Date uncertain)
- Victoria Prasasti (English poems in praise of Queen Victoria presented to the then Viceroy of India by Maharani of Reeva -1890)
- KanyaSulkamu (Drama, First Ed. -1892, Completely revised second Ed. -1909)
- Review and Introduction in English to Sree rama vijayam and jArji dEva caritaM (both Sanskrit works -1894)
- Edited (1890s) "the Wars of Rajas, Being the History of Hande Anantapuram, Thathacharyula kathalu," both originally collected by C.P. Brown. These works were published after Gurajada's death.
- Review and introduction in English to Harischandra (An English Drama -1897)
- Minugurlu (children's story, perhaps the first in modern style -1903?)
- Kondubhatteeyam (Unfinished humorous drama -1906)
- Neelagiri patalu (Songs describing the beauty of Nilagiri hills where Gurajada recuperated from an illness -1907)
- "Madras Congress" an article by Gurajada, in The Hindu, on the 1908 Congress Party Annual Session at Madras criticizing the lack of focus, integrity and strong will to take on the British rulers, original not traceable, only Avasarala Suryarao's Telugu translation is now available. Part of the above said article, a poem parodying the session,is now available.
- "Canna kalapu cinna buddhulu," essay denouncing the superstitions associated with the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1910.
- Desamunu Preminchumanna" was written around this time.
- Bilhaneeyam (Unfinished drama, Act I -1910, Act II -1911)
- Lavanaraju kala (Poem -1911)
- Kanyaka (Poem -1912)
- Subhadra (Poem -1913)
- Visvavidyalayalu: samskrita, matru Bhashalu (Report submitted to Madras University -1914)
- Asammati patram (Minute of Dissent -report against the decision of Madras University to retain classical language as the platform for curriculum development -1914)
- Dimcu langaru (Poem -1914)
- Langarettumu (Poem -1915)
- "Sree gurajada appa ravu gari Daireelu," Collected dairies of Gurajada published many decades after Gurajada's death. Editor: Burra Seshagiri Rao
- 'Gurujadalu', complete works of Gurajada (Mahakavi Gurajada Sarvalabhya Rachanala Samkalanam); Editors:Sri Pennepalli Gopalakrishna, Dr Kalidasu Purushotham and Sri Mannem Rayudu, Published by MANASU Foundation, Hyderabad. First Edition: 21 September 2012.
- "Subject For An Extravaganza" An English Poem by Gurajada, published in 'Vijaya' magazine by Ramadasu Pantulu around 1940.
References
- ^ Staff Reporter (22 September 2016). "Gurajada's literary contribution recalled" – via The Hindu.
- ^ Sarma, G. v Prasada (22 September 2016). "Gurajada's patriotic song set to go places" – via The Hindu.
- ^ Gopal, B. Madhu (26 December 2012). "Time we perpetuated Gurajada memory" – via The Hindu.
- ISBN 9788188434008– via Google Books.
- ^ "Forbes India Magazine - The next stage: The evolving face of theatre in India".
- ^ "Gurajada remembered".
- ^ 20th Century Telugu Luminaries, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, 2005
- ^ "ಗುರಜಾಡ ವೆಂಕಟ ಅಪ್ಪಾರಾವ್ – ಚಿಲುಮೆ".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Rau, M. Chalapathi (1 January 1976). "Gurazada Commemorative Volume". South Delhi Andhra Association – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Suryanarayana, Peri (1 January 1968). "The life and greatness of Sri Gurajada Venkata Apparao". Vignana Sahiti Publications – via Google Books.
- ^ Staff Reporter (3 September 2012). "Call to propagate works of Gurajada Appa Rao" – via The Hindu.
- ^ Gandhi, Rajmohan. "A Malayalam novel and a Telugu play went deep into South India's caste question in the 19th century". Scroll.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.