Telugu language Writer, Poet, lyricist, translator, publisher, dramatist, playwright Bhagavatula Sadasiva Sankara Sastry ‘Aarudhra’. Arudra devoted his life to write for the ordinary people without compromising his integrity. He proved successfully that poetry in classical meter could be written in colloquial Telugu and produce valuable literature. Arudra pursued his interest in literature and fine arts on his own and with unusual fervor. He studied not only classics in Telugu literature but also in other languages, and other fields such as dance, music, magic and palmistry.
Top ranking artists in music and dance would consult Arudra for interpretation and explanations. Arudra strongly believed in two principles: First, literature must be able to stimulate people, and secondly, it must be written in a language that is intelligible to all the readers, the elite and the ordinary readers. The technique Arudra developed to write his poetry included rhyming couplets and extensive borrowing freely from Sanskrit, English and Urdu to make his point. Unlike other poets, Arudra did not use Sanskrit phraseology to impress the elite. He used them to create a stronger sense of the milieu.
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. He translated the Tamil treatise Tirukkural into Telugu. He belonged to the school of progressive writers such as Abhyudaya Rachayitala Sangham.
Written by : Malathi Nidadavolu
