Gurajada Appa Rao
| Gurazada Apparao | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
Gurazada Venkata Apparao September 21, 1862 Yelamanchili, Visakhapatnam , Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Died | November 30, 1915 Srikakulam, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | Playwright Dramatist Poet |
| Known for |
Kanyasulkam Sarangadhara Mutyala Saralu Poornamma |
| Spouse(s) | Appala Narasamma, 1885 |
| Children | Lakshmi Narasamma (daughter) Venkata Ramadasu (son) |
| Awards | Emeritus Fellow, University of Madras |
Gurazada Venkata Apparao (Telugu: గురజాడ వెంకట అప్పారావు; September 21, 1862 – November 30, 1915) was a noted Indian playwright, dramatist, poet, and writer known for his works in Telugu theatre. Rao wrote the play Kanyasulkam in 1892, which is often considered the greatest play in the Telugu language. One of the pioneers of Indian theatre, Rao holds the titles Kavisekhara and Abyudaya Kavitha Pithamahudu. In 1910, Rao has scripted the widely known Telugu patriotic song "Desamunu Preminchumanna".
In 1897, Kanyasulkam was published (by Vavilla Ramaswamy Sastrulu and Sons, Madras) and was dedicated to Maharaja Ananda Gajapati. Gurajada Appa Rao (along with brother Syamala Rao) had written several English poems. His Sarangadhara, published in "Indian Leisure Hour" was well received. The editor of the Calcutta-based "Rees and Ryot" Sambhu Chandra Mukherji read it and re-published it in his magazine. Gundukurti Venkata Ramanayya, editor of the "Indian Leisure Hour" encouraged Gurazada greatly during the same period. In 1891, Gurajada was appointed to the post of Epigraphist to the Maharaja of Vizianagaram.
Gurazada was born on September 21, 1862 at his maternal uncle's home in Rayavaram village, near Yelamanchili, Visakhapatnam district. His parents were Venkata Rama Dasu and Kausalyamma. Gurajada lived most of his life in and around Vizianagaram in what was then called as Kalinga Rajyam. He and his father before him were both employed by the princely state of Vizianagaram. Gurazada enjoyed a close relationship with the ruling family during his adult life. Gurazada had his initial schooling in Cheepurupalli while his father was working there. His remaining schooling was done at Vizianagaram after his father died. During that time, he was taken care of by the then M.R. College Principal, C. Chandrasekhara Sastri who provided him free lodging and boarding. He completed his matriculation in 1882 and obtained F.A. in 1884. Soon after, he was employed as a teacher in M.R. High School in 1884 with a salary of Rs.25.
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