Arudra (born Bhagavatula Sadasiva Sankara Sastry; 31 August 1925 – 4 June 1998) was an Indian author, poet, lyricist, translator, publisher, dramatist, playwright, and an expert on Telugu literature.
Early life
Aarudra was born in
Yelamanchili, Anakapalli district,
Andhra Pradesh, India on 31 August 1925.
Aarudra is the nephew of Telugu poet Sri Sri. After primary education, he shifted to
Vizianagaram in 1942 for his college education.
He was attracted to
communism after coming into contact with people like
Ronanki Appalaswami and Chaganti Somayajulu.
He joined the Indian Air Force as a Band Boy in 1943 and served it till 1947.
Literary works
Tvamevaham (You are none other than me) and
Samagra Andhra Sahityam (An Encyclopedia of Telugu Literature) are his landmark works.
He wrote poetry such as
Koonalamma Padaalu, reminiscences of the Second World War.
[Aarudra, 'Samagra Andhra Sahityam' (1968). Reprinted in 1989][Aarudra, 'Samagra Aaandhra Saahityam' (2005): Revised and Reprinted, Published by Telugu Akademi, Hyderabad.] He translated the
Tamil language treatise Tirukkural into Telugu. He belonged to the school of progressive writers such as
Abhyudaya Rachayitala Sangham.
Tvamevaham
Tvamevaaham written in 1948 was based on the contemporary violence and lawlessness during the Razakar movement in
Hyderabad State.
The Razakar attrocoties were sponsored by the
Nizam against his own people who wanted to overthrow him in favor of democracy and join the Indian Union. In this kaavyam, death spoke to a human being and says, "you and I are the same (Tvamevaaham)".
[Aarudra, 'Vennela-vesavi', Navodaya Publishers, Vijayawada, 1977]
The Samagra Andhra Sahityam
Arudra first published the SAS in 12 parts between 1965 and 1968. It spans the Telugu literature from the 9th century
Common Era to modern times. He chronicled the history of Telugu Literature in 12 volumes:
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Early and Chalukya dynasty (From 8 – 9c CE to end of 12c CE)
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Kakatiya dynasty (1200–1290 CE)
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Padmanayaka Era (1337–1399 CE)
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Reddiraju Era (1400–1450 CE)
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Early Rayala (Vijayanagara) (1450–1500 CE)
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Later Rayala (Vijayanagara) (1500–1550 CE)
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(1550–1600 CE)
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Nayaka Kings (1600–1670 CE)
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Later Nayaka Kings (1670–1750 CE)
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East India Company (1750–1850 CE)
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(1850–1900 CE)
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Modern (1900 CE onwards)
How is Sita related to Rama?
Ramudiki Sita Yemautundi? or
How is Sita related to Rama?, put before the public the riddle of
Mandodari,
Sita and
Hanuman and their origins in a lucid and scholarly way.
It was a bold attempt at cracking the
Valmiki-
Ramayana code and in the process de-mystified the story of Rama to the middle-class, literate, modern day Telugu reader.
[Aarudra, 'Ramudiki Seetemautundi? 'Vishalandra Publishing House, Hyderabad, 1978.]
The book explores the Buddhism and Jainism sources of the story of Rama.
Buddha narrates the 'Dasaratha Jataka' tale to a householder who was grieving the death of his son....Long long ago.. Dasaratha was the king of Varanasi.
Aarudra's questions like "How is Sita related to Rama?" or "Were they just Husband and wife?" may sound naive or sacrilegious but a serious study of
Genealogy, as revealed from different sources, logically leads to them. To deny the existence of such stories, per Arudra, would have amounted to intellectual dishonesty.
List of his works
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Poems (Kavyas): Tvamevaaham, Sinivaali, koonalamma Padaalu, Intinti Pajyaalu. America Intinti pajyaalu, sitakoka chilukalu (radio play)
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Lyrics: Gaayaalu-Geyaalu, Pailaapacceesu, Yencina Padyaalu, Yetikedadi, Kondagaali Tirigindi.
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Translations: Veera Telangaana Viplava Geetalu (from English), Vennela-Vesavi (from Tamil), Kabeer Bhaavaalu and Batvaada-Arudra (from Hindi).
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Dramas: Udgeedha, Geyanaatika, Raadaari Bangla, Saalabhanjikalu.
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Dual Poetry: Rukkuteswara Satakam (with Sri Sri), Meemee (with Sri Sri and Varada)
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Research Work: Samagraandhra Saahityam, Arudra Vyaasapeetham, Raamudi ki Seeta Yemavutundi?,
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Other works: Arudra kathalu, Mahaneeyulu, Chadarangam, cinema scripts and lyrics.
Filmography
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Beedala Patlu (1950) (lyrics)
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Kanna Talli (1953) (writer)
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Pakka Inti Ammayi (1953) (adapted screenplay)
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Veera Kankanam (1957) (dialogue)
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Chenchu Lakshmi (1958) (lyrics)
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Illarikam (1959) (dialogue)
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Jayabheri (1959) (lyrics)
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Aradhana (1962) (lyrics)
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Bhishma (1962) (lyrics)
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Dakshayagnam (1962) (writer)
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Manchi Kutumbam (1965) (lyrics)
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Gudachari 116 (1966) (story and dialogue)
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Farz (1967) (story)
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The Train (1970) (screenplay)- Hindi
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Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971) (story and dialogues)
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Andala Ramudu (1973) (lyrics)
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Muthyala Muggu (1975) (lyrics)
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Yashoda Krishna (1975) (writer)
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Mahakavi Kshetrayya (1976) (writer)
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Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) (lyrics)
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Mallepoovu (1977) (lyrics)
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Anugraham (1978) (dialogue)
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Kondura (The Sage from the Sea) (1978) (writer)
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Thoorpu Velle Railu (1979) (lyrics)
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Pelli Pusthakam (1991) (lyrics)
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Mr. Pellam (1993) (lyrics)
Film songs
His film songs are compiled and published by his wife K. Ramalaxmi in five volumes.
[Arudra Cine Geethalu (1965–1970) – Vol. 3, Navvula Nadilo Puvvula Padava, Compiled by K. Ramalakshmi, Published by Vishalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad, 2002.][Arudra Cine Geethalu (1977–1998) – Vol. 5, Kurise Chirujallulo, Compiled by K. Ramalakshmi, Published by Vishalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad, 2003.]
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Manase Andhala Brundhavanam
Preminchuta Pillala Vantu |
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| Mee Andala Chetulu Kandenu Papam |
Adigo Navalokam Velase Manakosam
Rambha Urvasi Taladanne |
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| Siri Siri Laali Chinnari Laali |
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Orey Pichchi Sannasi
Pandavulu Pandavulu Thummeda |
Muthyamalle Merisipoye Mallemogga
Nuvvadigindi Enaadaina Kaadhannaana |
| Srirastu Subhamastu |
| Adagavayya Ayyagari |
