Nayani Krishnakumari

Nayani Krishnakumari Biography

Nayani Krishnakumari was a popular writer associated with Telugu language who carved a niche of her own, through her unique writing style. She earned fame as a writer and poet, and was also a great scholar and speaker in Telugu language. She also served as a teacher in many educational institutions during her active years till her retirement. She lived during the period, March 14, 1930 – January 29, 2016. She was a pioneer in folklore studies and women’s literature. Krishnakumari published a textbook on folklore entitled Telugu janapada vijnanam: samaajam, samskruti, sahityam. She died on January 29, 2016 at the age of 85.

Nayani Krishnakumari was born on March 14, 1930 in Andhra Pradesh, India. In 1954 she was married to her distant relative Canakapalli Madhusudana Rao, a lawyer by profession. They had one daughter and two sons. Apart from writing she actively participated in literary and cultural events. She conducted her research works on Telugu ballads, and took PhD in 1970. She published her first book, Andhrula katha at the age of 18. The book later became a part of school syllabus. Her first collection of poetry, Agniputri, was published in 1978.

Her professional career as a lecturer began in 1951. She has worked in Women’s College Chennai, Women’s College in Hyderabad, Padmavathi Mahila University, Tirupati etc. She retired as Chairman of the Board of Studies in Osmania University in 1990. She also served as Vice Chancellor of Sri Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad for a brief period of three years in the 1990s. She conducted research works on folklore and Telugu Janapada Geya gaathalu is one of her major contributions to Telugu literature.

Published: October 09, 2018

Updated: October 09, 2018