Rayaprolu Subba Rao

Rayaprolu Subba Rao Biography

Rayaprolu Subba Rao, also known as Abhinava Nannaya is one of the pioneers of modern Telugu literature. In 1965, he received Sahitya Academy in Telugu literature for his work, Misra Manjari – a collection of poems. He is instrumental in bringing romanticism into Telugu literature and those inspirations were taken from western literature culture, thus breaking the tradition of Sanskrit in Indian literature and its translations. Edesamegina Endukalidina is his most popular poem. He introduced the concept of "Amalina Shringara Tatvamu" into Telugu literature. He was awarded with Kalaprapoorna by Andhra University in 1977.

Rao was born in 1892 in a family of Pandits. He learnt Sanskrit and Telugu from his maternal uncle Avvari Subramanya Sastri, who gave him initial training. His schooling was done at Bapatla, Kakinada and Rajahmundry. He has assisted Komarraju Venkata Lakshmana Rao in the preparation of Andhra Vignana Sarvasvamu. After completing his studies, he joined as faculty in Telugu department of Osmania University, Hyderabad. He worked for 25 years, working as a professor and later headed the department. He has also worked as the chief editor of Andhra Maha Bhagavatam published by Telugu Academi.

He mixed Telugu culture with western ideas while writing. A few of his independent works include – Jadakutchulu, Ramyalokamu, Kashta Kamala, Vanamala, Swapnakumaramu, Andhravali, Misra Manjari and Trunakankanamu. His noted translation works include – Doota Mattebhamu , Anumathi, Bhaja Govindamu, Sundara Kanda, Lalita, Uttararama Charita and Meghadoota. His romantic literature is noted for its themes chosen. Naturalism, rural life, platonic and selfless love, a sense of history, libertarianism, patriotism and nationalism are his common themes and he redefined romanticism in Telugu literature. Rayaprolu preferred separation in his writings and he narrated love pangs of separation with his first independent poem, Trunakankanamu.

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Updated: March 28, 2014