A Tribute to Sankarambadi

The inspiring song "MAATELUGU TALLIKI MALLE POODANDA..." which eulogises the glory and renown of Telugu Poets, Kings, Musicians and ever green fefrtile fields and rivers of Andhra was written in 1942 by the famed "Prasanna Kavi" Sankarambadi Sundarachari. Born in a traditional family of scholars, on 10 August, 1914, he inharited passionate love for Literature from his father Rajagopalachari, mother Kamalamma and his grandfather Krishnamachari, a scholar of repute in Sanskrit LIterature and language.

After his elementary eudcation at a TTD School in Tirupati, Sankarambadi joined the Besant Theosophical College at Madanapale and passed Intermediate. Owing to pressing financial problems, he could not pursue his studies upto graduation.

Under the inspiring guidance and scholarship of his Telugu Teacher Subramanya Sastry, he honed his literary talent and delved deep into the treasures of Telugu literature. Along with his friend Kapistalam, he used to co-author a number of poems and no wonder, they earned the sobriquet "Literary Duo" and published an anthology of essays "Neti Kaalapu Kavitam" and poems entitled "Keratalu". An uncompromising free soul who hated kowtowing to the superiours, he often changed jobs.

He worked as Secondary Grade Teacher at a Zilla Parishad High School, Nandaluru and was promoted as Deputy Inspector of Schools. He resigned his job as he found himself a square peg in the round hole of the social and cultural setup of his times..

Sankarambadi had great admiration for Gurudev Tagore and translated his "Geetanjali" into Telugu of arresting charm and beauty. He contributed songs like "Japamaala" to the AIR. His prolific output included such books as "Sundara Ramyanam", "Sundara Bharatam", Buddha Geeti", Koraku Padachu", "Ekalavyudu", "Swapna Sundarudu", Firdousie" and "Srinivasa Satakam". Sri Sri released his book "Agni Pareeksha", while Puttaparti Narayanacharya is said to have translated his anthem "Ma Telugu Talliki..." into English; Sankarambandi's love for Nehru's socialistic vision was such that he dedicated his "Buddha Geeti" to him. It is said that Nehru was so moved by the appeal of his poems that he presented a cheque for Rs.100/- to him. Dr. Rajendra Prasad felicitated him with a shawl and was all praise for his intrepid outspokenness.

Despite "Unsung" for a longtime and penury staring him in the face, honors unsought and belated, came his way. In 1955 at a felicitation function, reigning renowned poets like Viswanadha Satyanryn, Rayaprolo, Rallapalli et al spoke in praise of his mature scholarship and mastery of prosody.

Sankarambandi was a versatile genius. He not only wrote plays but also enacted such roles as Bhakta Ramadas, and Bahukudu in Chitra Naleeyam. He wrote Burrakathas and even staged them. He worked as an Assistant Editor for Andhra Patrika on a year's contract. The female roles on the stages had a particular fascination for him and he acquitted himself well in roles like "Chitrangi" in "Sarangadhara".

It is also said that his lyric "Maa Telugu Talliki..." which was selected as a oficial anthem of Telugus at the World Telugu Conference in Hyderabd in 1976, was, in fact, written for the movie "Deena Bhandu". The movie-makers, however, rejected the lyric which was later sung and popularised by T. Suryakumari.

A born genius with a chequered career, humanist, intrepid crusader and social reformer, Sundarachari scaled heights in the world of Telugu Literature, despite many a hurdle in his private life.

As long as the National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana" of Tagore is sung in priase of India, so long "Maa Telugu Talliki..." of Sankarambadi will be sung, instilling in us a sense of pride in our art, culture and literature.