Page 48 - Demo

inaugurated a brilliant epoch in the history of Telugu literature.%u201d Gurajada Venkata Apparao (1862 %u2013 1915) was an Indian playwright, dramatist, poet and writer known for his works in Telugu theatre. His most famous play, Kanyasulkam, has been considered the greatest ever written in the Telugu language. Gurajada was the official epigraphist (in1895) to the Maharaja of Vizianagaram Ananda Gajapathi. Ever since their first meeting in 1887, he had shared a good rapport with the Maharaja. He shared with his patron a liberal bent of mind and a common outlook on life. He was also educated in the colleges built and run by the Maharaja of Vizianagaram. Using his influence with the government, especially as a member of the Madras Legislative Council, the Maharaja was keen on ushering in social reform, especially when it came to the amelioration of women. He proposed the Kanyasulkam Bill %u2013 %u201ca Bill to discontinue the sordid practice of selling girls on marriages among the Brahmins under the guise of religion.%u201d The Bill was dropped. Not losing heart at any stage, the Maharaja went to the court of public opinion. He took his case to the people and began to place his efforts behind that. He did not need a bill when he had the power to convince people. Gurajada wrote Kanyasulkam to further his patron's movement for social reform. He dedicated the play to him, saying; %u201c%u2026when the question was engaging your Highness' attention a humble servant made a feeble effort to arouse public opinion on the subject by exposing the evil in a popular drama.%u201d He wrote most of the play at the Maharaja's house in Coonoor. Maharaja Ananda Gajapathi III had a host of scholars who adorned his court; much like Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar. Some names that make up this list include - Manda Kameswara Kavi (1821-1892), Baghavatula Lakshminarayana Sastry (1840-1907), Mudumbai Narasimhacharya Swami (1841-1927); Gurajada Sriramamurty 38