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Kandukuri Veeresalingam | |
|---|---|
 Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu | |
| Born | Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu 16 April 1848 |
| Died | 27 May 1919(1919-05-27) (aged 71) |
| Occupation(s) | Social reformer, Writer |
| Spouse | |
Kandukuri Veeresalingam (16 April 1848 – 27 May 1919) was a social reformer and writer from theMadras Presidency, British India, current Andhra Pradesh . He was considered as the Father of theTelugu Renaissance movement. He was one of the early social reformers who encouraged theeducation of women and the remarriage ofwidows (which was not supported by society during his time). He also fought againstchild marriage and thedowry system. He started a school inDowlaiswaram in 1874,[2] constructed the 'Brahmo Mandir' in 1887 and built the 'Hithakarini School' in 1908 inAndhra Pradesh. HisnovelRajasekhara Charitramu is considered to be the first novel inTelugu literature.[3]
He is often considered RajaRam Mohan Roy of Andhra. He was known by the title Gadya Tikkana, or ‘theTikkana of Prose'.[4]
Kandukuri Veeresalingam was born into aTelugu-speakingBrahmin family[5] inRajahmundry,Madras Presidency, to Subbarayudu and Poornamma. When he was six months old, he hadsmallpox, a dangerous disease during that time, and when aged four his father died. He was adopted by his paternal uncle, Venkataratnam. After studying in an Indian street school, he was sent to English medium school where his talent was recognised. His good nature and studiousness earned him the best student award in his school. He completed hismatriculation in 1869 and got his first job as a teacher in Korangi village.
Veeresalingam was a scholar in Telugu, Sanskrit, and Hindi. Considering literature as an instrument to fight against social evils, his writings also reflected the same. He wrote plays such asPrahlada(1886) andSatya Harischandra (1886).[2] He published a novelRajasekhara Charitamu in 1880, originally serialised inViveka Chandrika from 1878. Generally recognised as the first Telugu novel, it is inspired byThe Vicar of Wakefield, a novel by the Irish writerOliver Goldsmith
His works include:
Kandukuri Veeresalingam was inspired by the principles ofBrahmo Samaj leaders likeRajaRammohan Roy,PanditIshwar Chandra Vidyasagar, &Keshab Chandra Sen. He started Andhra Pradesh's first Brahmo Mandir inRajahmundry in 1887.[2]
One of Veeresalingam's greatest reforms had been his promotion of women's education, which was a taboo in those days. In 1876, he started a journal calledViveka Vardhini and published articles about women's issues of that area. The magazine was initially printed in Chennai (thenMadras), but with his writings gaining popularity, he established his own press at Rajahmundry.
Widow remarriage was not appreciated in the society during those days, and he opposed this practice by quoting verses from the HinduDharma Sastra to prove his point. His opponents used to organise special meetings and debates to counter his arguments, and even resorted to physical violence against him when they failed to stop him. Undeterred, Veeresalingam started a Remarriage Association and sent his students all over Andhra Pradesh to find young single men willing to marry widows. He arranged the first widow remarriage on 11 December 1881. For his reformist activities, Kandukuri gained attention all over the country. The Government, in appreciation of his work, conferred on him the title of Rao Bahadur in 1893. Later he established a home for widows.[4]
As per N. Putali Krishnamurthi, Veeresalingam was probably inspired by the writings ofMuddu Narasimham Naidu who pioneered the widow remarriage movement and therationalist movement in Andhra.[6]
Kandukuri Veeresalingam was one of the attendees of the first Indian National Congress (INC) meeting in 1885.[2]
Kandukuri Veeresalingam was married to Bapamma Rajyalakshmi in 1861. At the time of marriage, he was 14 years old and she was 9.[2]
Veeresalingam died on 27 May 1919 at the age of 71. His statue has been unveiled on the Beach Road in Vishakhapatnam.[2] In his memory, theIndian Postal service issued a 25-paisa postage stamp in 1974.[7]
It looks as if Veeresalingam was inspired by the writings of Muddu Narasimha Naidu. Veeresalingam canvassed for exactly the same reforms which were supported by Muddu Narasimha Naidu.
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