Kandukuri Veeresalingam

Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu
K. Veeresalingam Pantulu
Native name కందుకూరి వీరేశలింగం పంతులు
Born (1848-04-16)April 16, 1848
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died May 27, 1919(1919-05-27) (aged 71)
Madras [1]
Nationality Indian
Occupation Social reformer, writer
Spouse(s)
Bapamma Rajyalakshmi (m. 1861)

Rao Bahadur Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu (Telugu: కందుకూరి వీరేశలింగం పంతులు) (16 April 1848 27 May 1919) was a social reformer, writer of Andhra Pradesh. He is considered as the Father of renaissance movement in Telugu. 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.[2] He constructed a temple as 'Brahmo Mandir' in 1887 and the 'Hithakarini School' in 1908 in Andhra Pradesh. His novel Rajasekhara Charitramu is considered to be the first novel in Telugu literature.[3]

He often considered as Raja Rammohan Roy of Andhra. He was also known by the Title Gadya Tikkana means 'Tikkana of Prose'[4]

Early life

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.[2]

Literature

Veeresalingam was a scholar in Sanskrit, Hindi & Telugu. Considering literature as a weapon to fight against social evils, his writings also reflected the same. He wrote many plays criticizing the attitude of Brahmin priests such as Prahlada (1885), Satya Harischandra (1886) etc.[2] He published a novel Rajashekhara Charita in 1880, originally serialized in Viveka Chandrika from 1878. Generally recognized as the first Telugu novel, it is inspired by The Vicar of Wakefield, a novel by Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith.[3] His works include:

  • First novel in Telugu 'Rajasekhara Charitra'
  • 'Viveka Vardini' a journal for women education in 1887.
  • 'Satihita bodhini' a monthly magazine for women.
  • He wrote first drama in Telugu and first book in Telugu on sciences&history.

Brahmo Samaj

Veeresalingam was inspired by the principles of Brahmo Samaj leaders like Raja Rammohan Roy, Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, & Maharshi Keshab Chandra Sen. He started his own Brahmo Mandir in Rajahmundry near bridge in 1887.[2]

Social Reformer

Welfare of women

One of the greatest reforms of Veeresalingam was to promote women's education, which was considered to be taboo in those days. In 1876, he started a journal called Viveka Vardhini in which he used to write articles about the problems of women. The magazine was initially printed at Chennai, but when his writings gained popularity, he established his own press at Rajahmundry.

Remarriage of widows was not appreciated in the society during those days. He opposed this by arguing that it was not prohibited by Dharma Sastra. He used to quote verses from scriptures to prove his point. His opponents used to organize special meetings and debates to counter his arguments. They also resorted to physical violence against him as they failed to prove their point. Undeterred, Veeresalingam started a Remarriage Association and sent his students all over Andhra Pradesh to find young men willing to marry widows. He arranged the first widow remarriage on December 11, 1881. For his reformist activities, Kandukuri gained attention all over the globe. The Government, in appreciation of his work, conferred on him the title of Rao Bahadur in 1893. Later he established a Widow Home.[4]

Personal life

Veeresalingam was married to Bapamma Rajyalakshmi in 1861. At the time of marriage, he was 13 years old, and his wife was 8.[2]

Politics

Kandukuri Veeresalingam served as one of the members of the first Indian National Congress (INC) meeting in 1885.[2]

Death

He died on May 27, 1919 at the age of 71. His statue has been unveiled on the Beach Road in Vishakhapatnam.[2]

Notes

  1. Arnab, Sengupta (2013-12-18). "Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu (Andhra Social Reformer)". ImportantIndia.com. Important India. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Editor, ILoveIndia. "Kandukuri Veeresasilngam Biography". iloveindia.com. iloveindia. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 Sisir Kumar Das (1991). A History of Indian Literature 1800-1910 (Western Impact: Indian Response). New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 209–210. ISBN 978-81-7201-006-5. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  4. 1 2 Vepachedu, Srinivasa Rao. "Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Father of Andhra Renaissance". Vepachedu.org. Vepachedu Srinivasa Rao. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
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