Saturday 14 December 2013

Veeresalingam Kandukuri – A Social Reformer of Andhra Pradesh



Veeresalingam  Kandukuri  (16 April 1848 – 27 May 1919) – A Social Reformer of Andhra Pradesh


Veeresalingam is considered,” The Prophet of Modern Andhra Pradesh”, as he awakened the Andhra Society from their orthodox customs and superstitions. He was a reformer and the first person to write a novel, book, drama, on natural science and history in Telugu and Telugu prose for women. He wrote Abhagyopakhyanamu, a humorous satire on Andhra Society.

Veeresalingam started a magazine named Vivekavardini in which he propagated women’s education, widow remarriage and the rights of women. He opposed Kanyasulkam (price of bride) and marriage of old men with young girls.

He was affectionately called as Veeresalingam Pantulu.