Kandukuri Veeresalingam
| Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
April 16, 1848 Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Died | May 27, 1919 (aged 71) Madras |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Social reformer, writer |
| Spouse(s) | Rajyalakshmi |
Rao Bahadur Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu (Telugu: కందుకూరి వీరేశలింగం పంతులు) (16 April 1848 – 27 May 1919) was a social reformer, writer of Andhra Pradesh. He was one of the early social reformers who encouraged women education, remarriage of widows which was not supported by the society during his time and fought against dowry system. He also started a school in Dowlaiswaram in 1874. His novel Rajasekhara Charitramu is considered to be the first novel in Telugu literature. His autobiography is named Sweeya Charitramu.
Veeresalingam was born in an orthodox Brahmin family in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh to Subbarayudu, and Poornamma. When he was six months old, he suffered from smallpox, a dangerous disease during that time. But somehow he survived. He lost his father when he was four years old. He was adopted by his paternal uncle Venkataratnam. After studying in an Indian street school, he was later sent to English medium school where his talents were recognized. His good nature and studiousness earned him the best student award in his school. He completed his matriculation in 1869 and got his first job as a teacher in Korangi village.
He had a good command over Telugu, English, and Sanskrit. He considered the literature as a weapon to fight against social evils. So his writings also reflected the same. He wrote many plays criticizing the attitude of Brahmin priests such as Prahlada (1885), Satya Harischandra (1886) etc.
Veeresaligam was inspired by the principles Brahmo Samaj leaders like Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Keshab Chandrasen. He started his own Brahmo mandir in Rajahmundry in 1887.
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