Paravastu Chinnayasuri

Paravastu Chinnayasuri Biography

Paravastu Chinnayasuri was a popular writer associated with Telugu language of 19^th century, who lived during the period, 1807 – 1861. Bala-Vyakaranamu (1855), Neeti Chandrika (1853), Sootandhra Vyaakaranamu, Andhra Dhatumoola and Neeti Sangrahamu are some of his major contributions to Telugu literature. He translated Mitra Labham and Mitra Bhedam from the Sanskrit Panchatantra as Neeti Chandrika. He worked as a Telugu teacher at Pachaiyappa's College in Madras, and also as a law scholar for the Supreme Court of East India Company.

Paravastu Chinnayasuri was born in Perambur of Chengalpattu, present day Tamil Nadu in 1807. His father, Venkata Rangayya was a Vaishnavite Scholar. Paravastu Chinnayasuri also remained a scholar and was a master of different languages such as Telugu and Sanskrit. He was also proficient in Prakrit and Dravida (Tamil) languages. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian scholars of 19^th century, he was a renowned teacher too. He taught Telugu at Pachaiyappa's College and Presidency college, Madras in Chennai, and a few schools also. Suri is the title bestowed on him, for his overall efforts to promote Telugu language. He spent majority of his life time as a teacher.

He followed classical style of writing, though he was proficient in different languages. Suri pioneered the Granthika movement, to promote Telugu language and its grammar. His prose works were so deep that it’s not easy to interpret full meanings, even after generations. A reader need to have a good command over Telugu language to understand his writings. After Chinnaya Suri's death, his position at Granthika school was replaced by Kokkonda Venkataratnam Pantulu, a great admirer of Suri. But he simplified and adopted an easier variety of granthika for his teachings later.

Published: October 09, 2018

Updated: October 09, 2018