Mana Kavi Gurajada Apparao Garu

         Om Sri Devebhyo Namaha -- Om Sri Rishibhyo Namaha -- Om Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

Once Sri Kandukuri Sivananda Guruji while addressing people in United States was asked by a Women - How India is Different from United States of America? No doubt the questioner knew the fact that US is an advanced country with state of art technology and ruling the entire world. She, was curious to know how a representative from India would deal with this question at a time when India is struggling with its own challenges like poverty, unemployment, religious disharmony etc. Very few knew that Sri Kandukuri Sivananda Murthy Guruji is a True representative of Guru Parampara and knew in Original the greatness of the Land called Bharat. Sri Sivananda Guruji took the question as a very good foundation to let the world know the Uniqueness of India with the Rest of the World. I may not exactly translate what he said but, I can try giving the essence of what he spoke in the august gathering. Guruji says - to compare India with USA in terms of material development, yes, there exists partial truth that India is still a developing economy. On the other side of the coin, India is the largest exporter of Software Engineers and today in the best IT companies, Indians occupy the Leadership roles. 

Guruji says - it is very easy to escape the question by giving this kind of reply, however, the fact remains visible that still Indians are not valuing cleanliness, rules & regulations and working for societal development. But, if an Indian is randomly picked and compared with another American and observed the differences, clearly, American may win over Indian in terms of outer civilized aspects of behavior and intelligence but fail in the concept of "Personality as an Organized Whole". We are proud to say that Indians spiritual roots are strongly organized! Our Personality is integrated with a timeless principle of "Sanatana Dharma". If a question is asked to an American - what he is prepared to sacrifice and not to sacrifice, in morals or money? Another question when asked, for how long an average American can retain his moral strength? But, We Indians are so rich in our remote past that we are finding it difficult to avoid them even after 5000 years of existence of this great Civilization. Indians are inspired from Sri Rama, who lived flesh and blood and established Rama Rajyam (righteous living) in this great land of Bharat. Sri Rama according to Mareecha is "Ramo Vigrahavaan Dharamaha", which means Rama is a personification of Dharma in human form. Which means Rama never left righteous living. Rama for the sake of his Father's vow to her beloved wife sacrificed kingship and left to forest to lead a normal life. According to Indian culture, Parents are next to God. Hence, in the prayer to them we Indians say - Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava and finally Athiti Devo Bhava. Which means, Mother, Father, Teacher and Guest are observed to be the Gods and are highly respected. Any word of instruction from the above are accepted without any conditions and without an iota of suspicion instructions are carried with utmost respect. Indians believe that their personal comforts are secondary than observing the principles of Dharma all throughout life. This act of Rama is observed in a great epic called Ramayana which is written by a great sage called Valmiki. Even though this greatest epic happened 5000 years before, still in this 21st Century, any typical Indian will observe this "Value" of following instructions of "Parents". For example, almost all of us regard Parents decision for Marriage. Still, we Indians are proud of Joint Families. We like to be in a group unlike Westerners who want others to respect privacy. All family members love to eat together and festivals are the most important occasions when all relations in a family come together to spend time with lots of enthusiasm. The feeling of oneness in the most complex country with many castes, creeds, sects, religions is what makes India a unique in the world. The value of Tolerance is what is the most significant characteristic that India had since times immemorial. Indians never conquered any country. On the contrary, we shared our space with Dutch, Portuguese, British, French etc. When, British traders in the name of East India Company came to do business in India, we Indians regarded them as Athiti, meaning Guests. We shared them the space, the resources, the people and everything we could to make them happy. Indians believe that we seek happiness in making others happy. However, this Virtue of healthy co-existence is not understood righteously. And the rest is history as the world knew how India is looted by the Europeans and left nothing to scratch. Yet, Indians struggled for their own rights and secured what they deserve to be Independent. There is nothing to celebrate as we did not achieve what is not there with us but, what we lost due to our "tamas" qualities.

By the time India realized that British administration took over India from East India Company, we are too lazy to fight our rights. Yet, India produced great leaders from time to time who could inspire and perspire the masses to fight for Independence. The fight for Independence is not just political but the fight came from all sides in different methods. There were poets, social activists, spiritual leaders name them they are always working as under currents to revive the lost glory of India. The richness of India can be found in the literary works of great persons like Kalidasa, a famous poet.

Arthur W. Ryder, one of Kalidasa’s translators, also paid his homage:

The best proof of a poet’s greatness is the inability of men to live without him; in other words, his power to win and hold through centuries the love and admiration of his own people, especially when that people has shown itself capable of high intellectual and spiritual achievement.(Arthur W. Ryder, Kalidasa: Translations of Shakuntala and other works, Everyman’s Library Series, Poetry and The Drama, Ernst Rhys ed., London and New York, 1912, xvii).

The German naturalist, traveler and statesman Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) wrote about Indian poetry and observed that Kalidasa, the celebrated author of the Sakoontala, is a masterly describer of the influence which Nature exercises upon the minds of lovers. This great poet flourished at the splendid court of Vikramaditya, and was, therefore, contemporary with Virgil and Horace. Tenderness in the expression of feeling, and richness of creative fancy, have assigned to him his lofty place among the poets of all nations.(quoted in the Introduction, Monier Williams, Sakoontala: or the Lost Ring, Hertford, 1855, x).

In 1789 Sir William Jones opened his career as one of the greatest Indologist by translating Kalidasa’s Shakuntala; this translation, re-rendered into German in 1791, profoundly affected Herder and Goethe, and through the Schlegels- the entire Romantic movement.(The Story of Civilization, 391-2).

Like wise, the pages will turn to books and volumes of knowing the greatness of noble souls India has ever produced. Whenever we talk about any country, we recognize the country with few names but, in India, the great men and women are born whenever there arises a need for social change and political transformation.

One such person, who belongs to Andhra Pradesh State who was born for Social transformation is Sri Gurajada Apparao.

One poem which introduces the birth of Sri Gurajada Apparao can be found in the following lines:

Sri Gurajada Apparao was born on Bhadrapada Suddha Traiodasi (Bhanuvaram, September 21, 1862). He was born to Smt. Kousalamma & Sri Venkata Ramadasu Garu. It was known that Smt Kousalamma did not complete 9 months of holding the womb for delivery but pre-conceived the baby boy. Family members thought that the birth was un-auspicious but the design of the God was different from the perception of the family. It was delight to note that Sri Rabindranath Tagore also born in the same year. The story of Sri Gurajada Apparao is the story of all of us. To know about Sri Gurajada means to know about our rich fabric of telugu language, literature and culture. He is recalled as the Modern Maha Kavi.

"దేశమంటె మట్టి కాదోయి, దేశమంటె మనుషులోయి"(Country is not identified by soil but it is made up of great men). He made it very clear not to devote in creating false impressions of patriotism. Even after completion of 55 years after his death, still his works on poetry occupy the Modern Society Needs and Challenges. In one occasion he mentioned that ageing is related to body and our hearts are always filled with youthful energy. 

Some of the important aspects of Sri Gurajada Apparao are as follows:

1.  Since childhood, Sri Gurajada Apparao displayed fearlessness. He showed resistance to slavery. He used to observe the village life and nature curiously. He used to get up early and read books thoroughly. 

2. When Gurajada was studying matriculation in Vijayanagaram (in Andhra Pradesh), he wrote a poem titled "Kokila". His school inspector, Sri Nagoji Rao was so enthralled on the poem that he took that poem to Sri Ananda Gajapati and read it to him. By observing the healthy intellect of Gurajada, Sri c. Chandrasekhara Sastry, the then School Principal took Gurajada to his home and taught him the telugu language nuances. Once, Sri Chandrasekhara Sastry spoke about Sri Gurajada like this - Gurajada Apparao is one of the few students who possess enormous amount of intellect. He was always the best sample of a student who was admired by all his teachers. Gurajada was always addicted to learning and speaking about telugu literature. He has the rare natural intellect towards Poetry. By exercising it frequently, the poetry manifested from him and forcasted that one day Apparao will achieve the highest recognition in poetry and literature. The best Virtues that describe Gurajada are Modesty and Social Maturity. The opinion of the Principal Sri Chandrasekhara Sastry was proved to be truth in the later years of Sri Gurajada Apparao.

2. During the year 1883, Dr. Sambhu Chandra Mukherjee for some time worked as Deewan in Tripura Sansdhan.  In the year 1885, Mukherjee started "The Mukherjee Magazine". This magazine is responsible for awakening economic and political nationalism and later the magazine was modified as "Reis and Rayyet", a weekly journal and became famous for his competence in english language publication. Mr. Mukherjee was very critical in evaluating the errors of British publications. In fact, the Governor General was always cautious about Mukherjee's competence.  While Gurajada was a student, he wrote a poem titled "Sarangadhara". Mr. Mukherjee learned about the greatness of poetic expression of Gurajada and convinced him to get them published in his journal. There was lot of correspondence between them. God knows where the documents went. But, few very recovered. in one of the letters dated January 27, 1884, to Gurajada, Mukherjee wrote -

"How long your are going to stay in Madras? Please mention about the social conditions and your observations on them. I want to understand about the political developments in Madras. How is Widow Re-marriage problem? What is the perspective of localities on this social evil? Did you start the poetry on politics that you have earlier contemplated? Please write about folk songs and poetry on different meters". All these questions were asked by a very senior person to a 22 years young boy called Gurajada. We can imagine the amount of Wisdom Gurajada possessed on Poetry and Literature and his works to challenge the social evils that were prevalent during those years.

3. From the way Gurajada dealt the issues, his close companions observed that Gurajada showed rare skills such as - Fun during most adverse conditions, happiness during struggles, ability to see good in bad situations and critical skills of inquiry. Unfortunately, the current academic system is not addressing these soft skills that are very important for any individual to deal with social issues in life. Our current academic system is preparing the person for a job only. But, there is a big vacuum in our education policy that was not bridged to deal with life problems by the students. 

4. Gurajada used to say that he always contemplates on the work that he has initiated and nothing else. He says belief in work is very important and he does not have sympathy on those who look for shortcuts to be successful in life. 

5. Gurajada was I think is the pioneer in bringing methodological changes in Teaching. While he was in teaching profession between 1887 and 1896 for almost 9 years, his teaching learning sessions have influenced his life perspectives. As a teacher, his learning never had any boundaries. The concept of Thinking and Practice are like inhalation and exhalation to Gurajada. He used to prepare detailed notes before going to any class. He did not like to spend time casually with students. He loved doing research, inquiry and invented methodologies for teaching learning aspects in class. He travelled to Madras, Bangalore, Calcutta and Bombay to gain knowledge about the topics that he dealt in the class. He had in several occasions discussed with experts on various fields about the subject matter that he dealt in the class. In this occasion his discussions with Kellet was worth remembering. Kellet,  Professor  of History, Christian  College,  Madras  asked  Gurazada to write the "History of Greece  and Rome" in the  comparative  method  and  Gurazada  said  that  it  was  beyond  his  capacity.    But  Kellet  said  Oh!  you can"!

In this connection  it  is noteworthy  as to how Gurazada  was  humble  and how   Gurazada   impressed   even   the   foreigners   as   a   person   of superior capabilities. Some  entries  in  his  diaries  throw  a  flood   of  light about  the interviews he had with eminent  people.  One  interview relates to his interview with Skinner, Professor  of the Christian  College, Madras.  Another entry reflects  his  interview  with  Tait,  Professor  of  English,  Bangalore Central  College. One more entry  mentions  his  interview  with  Cowper Oakley,  Professor,  Presidency  College, Madras, yet  another  interview  with W.  Kaine,  Principal,  Agricultural  College, Madras and  with the  Directors of public  instruction  during the days of language  controversy  were mentioned. He  could  assert  his  importance  by  virtue  of  his  innate  merits  and literary  talents.  On  30th  January   1913  he  received   an   offer   of  the Fellowship  of  the   Madras   University   from   the Governor  of  Madras,  and as  a  Fellow  of the  Madras  University,  he  came  into contact with  scholars and educationalists  of the higher echelons of society.

The highly acclaimed work of Sri Gurajada is "Kanyasulkam", (money in lieu for a girl). Sri Apparao Garu wrote this play-let to raise awareness about what he felt was a scandalous state of affairs in society. Exploitation on female gender was prevalent during those days and along with Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Sri Gurajada Apparao took the responsibility to eradicate the social evils. I never saw this movie "Kanyasulkam", but, while I am going through Sri Gurajada books, I came across the context of directing the movie "Kanyasulkam". After watching the movie, I was speechless. without a word, I was meditating as to how a person of a great virtue took the social issue to masses in a satirical way yet received many accolades for the spirit of "Kanyasulkam". I felt guilty about watching the movie when I am 39 years, yet I feel fulfilled that I could get to know the greatness of Sri Gurajada Apparao.

I am proud to say that I am a native of Vizianagaram District and I felt it necessary to bring back the lost glory of the great Telugu Poet through Sri Sivananda Guruji blessings. As said by Sri Gurajada, a country is not to be remembered by its geography but by the quality of citizens who work for the greatness of the Country. His opinions and poetry is still relevant today to the youth of India who are carried away with meaningless activities. 

If for a second, the youth of today can have a sincere glimpse of what Gurajada said in his poetry, I am confident that one day, the youth of India will recollect from their collective unconscious the purpose of their birth in the sacred land of Bharat. Hence, I am placing herewith a poem that I could gather from the internet sources for inspiring the youth of India to remember their responsibilities and work for reviving the glory of Bharat.

Desamante matti kaadoy Song lyrics with English Translation

Taken from (https://www.worthview.com/desamante-matti-kaadoy-lyrics-english/)

దేశమును ప్రేమించుమన్నా
మంచి యన్నది పెంచుమన్నా
వొట్టి మాటలు కట్టిపెట్టోయ్‌
గట్టిమేల్‌ తలపెట్టవోయి
Love your country
Widen good things
Stop shallow talk
Think of strong help

పాడి పంటలు పొంగిపొర్లె
దారిలో నువు పాటు పడవోయి
తిండి కలిగితే కండ కలుగును
కండ కలవాడేను మనిషోయి

Work hard in the land
Where the fruits  of irigation
feeds all,  You will have
the muscle  only if
you eat,  People with
muscle only  can lead the  country.

యీసురోమని మనుషులుంటే
దేశమేగతి బాగుఅగునోయ్‌
జల్దుకుని కళలన్ని నేర్చుకు
దేశి సరకులు నింపవోయ్‌
When people look depressed
How can the country make progress?
Learn skills and  Fill the country with
indigenous goods.


అన్ని దేశాల్ క్రమ్మవలె నోయి
దేశి సరుకుల నమ్మవలెనోయి !
డబ్బు తేలేనట్టి నరులకు
కీర్తి సంపద లబ్బవోయి

Fill all the nations of the world,
With the finished goods of our country,
Prosperity will not dawn On those who cannot
make money.


వెనక చూసిన కార్యమేమోయి?
మంచి గతమున కొంచెమేనోయి
మందగించక ముందు అడుగేయి
వెనుకపడితే వెనకే నోయి!

Why look back?  The past has not
many good things to boast of,
Do not relax, walk with confidence,
You will be left  behind  if you walk slow.

పూను స్పర్థను విద్యలందే
వైరములు వాణిజ్యమందే,
వ్యర్థ కలహం పెంచబోకోయి
కత్తి వైరం కాల్చవోయి
 

Compete in studies, Compete in business,Do not encourage wasteful enmity,
Burn the communal clashes.

దేశాభిమానం నాకు కద్దని
వొట్టి గొప్పలు చెప్పుకోకోయ్‌
పూని ఏదైనాను ఒక మేల్‌
కూర్చి జనులకు చూపవోయ్‌

Do not boast of patriotism
Make effort to do good to
the people.


ఓర్వలేమిపిశాచి దేశం
మూలుగులు పీల్చేసెనోయ్,
ఒరుల మేలుకు సంతసిస్తూ
ఐకమత్యం నేర్చవోయి

Jealousy is eating away the country at the
roots, Believe in unity,
Enjoy the happiness of the others.


పరుల కలిమికి పొర్లి యేడ్చే
పాపి కెక్కడ సుఖం కద్దోయి?
ఒకరి మేల్ తన మేలనెంచే
నేర్పరికి మేల్ కొల్లలోయి!

Where is the peace to the
man who is jealous of the progress of
the others. Winner is the man, who
believes in helping others.

సొంత లాభం కొంత మానుకు
పొరుగు వానికి తోడుపడవోయ్‌
దేశమంటే మట్టి కాదోయ్‌
దేశమంటే మనుషులోయ్‌

Be useful to the other man,
With a bit more of selflessness,
Country is not just the mud and soil,
Country means people.

చెట్టపట్టాల్‌ పట్టుకొని
దేశస్థులంతా నడువవలెనోయ్‌
అన్నదమ్ముల వలెను జాతులు
మతములన్నియు మెలగవలెనోయ్‌ 

All countrymen-walk hand in hand with
unity, All religions-live in harmony.


మతం వేరైతేను యేమోయి?
మనసు లొకటై మనుషులుంటే
జాతమన్నది లేచి పెరిగి
లోకమున రాణించునోయి!

How does it matter What religion one
belongs? It can matter the country
If all people can unite with their hearts.


దేశమనియెడి దొడ్డవృక్షం
ప్రేమలను పూలెత్తవలెనోయి,
నరుల చమటను తడిసి మూలం,
ధనం పంటలు పండవలెనోయి!

The great tree, namely our country should
sprout more fruit of love, The country should reap
a rich harvest with the sweat of the people.


ఆకులందున అణగిమణగీ
కవిత కోయిల పలకవలెనోయి;
పలుకులను విని దేశమందభి
మానములు మొలకెత్తవలెనోయి!

The literary bird Hiding in the branches
of  the tree,should hum beautiful songs,
Hearing these songs, Patriotism should
flourish in the country.

Conclusion: I thank Sri Kandukuri Sivananda Guruji for his insights on Bharatiyata and blessing his disciples for a greater purpose to achieve.  Sarve Sujana Sukhino Bhavantu, Sarve Jana Sujana Bhavantu. Om Santhi, Santhi, Santhi!