Kandukuri Veeresalingam : Birth Anniversary
Kandukuri Veeresalingam, born on April 16, 1848, was a prominent writer and social reformer from the Madras Presidency, British India.
- He is often hailed as the father of the Telugu Renaissance movement and is known for his significant contributions to literature and social reform in Andhra Pradesh.
- Veeresalingam was a versatile scholar proficient in Telugu, Sanskrit, and Hindi.
- He considered literature as a powerful tool to combat social injustices and used his writings to advocate for change.
- He is credited with writing the first novel in Telugu literature, ‘Rajasekhara Charitra’, and other literary works such as plays and journals promoting women’s education.
- He was known by the title Gadya Tikkana, or the Tikkana of Prose’.
- Brahmo Samaj is nspired by the principles of Brahmo Samaj leaders like Raja Rammohan Roy, Veeresalingam established Andhra Pradesh’s first Brahmo Mandir in Rajahmundry in 1887.
- His involvement with the Brahmo Samaj reflected his progressive beliefs and commitment to social reform. He also started ‘Hithakarini School’ in 1908.
- Veeresalingam’s activism extended to the political realm, as he was among the attendees of the first Indian National Congress meeting in 1885.
