Devulapalli Krishnasastri (1 November 1897 – 24 February 1980) was a Telugu poet, playwright and translator known for his works in Telugu literature and Telugu cinema.[1] He is known as Andhra Shelley.[2] In 1976, Krishnasastri was honoured with Padma Bhushan, third highest civilian award in India. In 1978, he received Sahitya Akademi Award for his literary works.[3]

Devulapalli Krishnasastri
BornDevulapalli Venkata Krishnasastri
1 November 1897
Ramachandrapalem, Madras Presidency, British India
Died24 February 1980(1980-02-24) (aged 82)
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
GenrePlaywright, poet
Notable worksKrishna Paksham

Early life

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Krishnasastri was born on 1 November 1897 in Ramachandrapalem of East Godavari, India. He was brought up in Pithapuram in a family of court-poets.[2] He grew interest in English literature while he was in his high school.

Career

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Krishnasastri started writing poetry from a very young age. Krishnasastri's works changed significantly after he met Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan in 1929. Krishnasastri joined All India Radio in 1945 and wrote a number of plays for it.

He also translated Goda Devi's Tamil Tiruppavai into Telugu Keertanaas. Other translations of Tiruppavai are available - but they are all word for word. His translation is unique because he had taken the central idea of each Pasuram, made it into Pallavi and wove around it the rest of the paasuram into anupallavi and charanam(s). They were set to pure carnatic music, even as they were composed, by Amruthavalli Sundaram. The publication with notation, is Orient Longman.[4]

He died on 24 February 1980.[5]

Literary works

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Some of Krishnasastri's famous works include:

  • Amrutha Veena (1992)
  • Appude Putti Vunte
  • Aruna Ratham
  • Badarika
  • Bahukaala Darshanam
  • Dhanurdasu
  • Gorinta
  • Mangala Kahali
  • Sri Vidyapathi
  • Krishnapaksham - Urvashi pravasam
  • Sharmishta
  • Vyaasavali - Kavi parampara
  • Sri Andallu Tiruppavu Kirtanalu (1993)
  • Meghamala (1996)
  • Krishna Paksham (The Darkening Fortnight),
  • Pravasam (Alien Residence),
  • Mahati (The Veena of Narada),
  • Urvasi.

Films

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Krishnasastri entered the film industry by scripting the 1951 Telugu film Malliswari. He gave lyrics to about 160 songs in over 70 films during the 1950s to 1970s.[6] They include Malleswari, Naa Illu, En Veedu, Bangaru Papa, Ekaveera, Bhagya Rekha (1957), Rakta Kanneeru, Bhakta Tukaram, Karthika Deepam, Gorintaku, Megha Sandesam, Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.

Year Film Song
1951 Malliswari Aakaasa Veedhilo Hayiga Egirevu Desa Desalanni Tirigi Chusevu
1953 Naa Illu Adigadigo Gagana Seema Andamaina Chandamama Adigo
1954 Bangaru Papa Yavvana Madhuvanilo
1957 Bhagya Rekha Neevundeda Kondapai Naasaami
1959 Raja Makutam Sadiseyako Gali Sadiseya Boke
1965 Bangaru Panjaram Pagalaite Doravera Raatiri Naa Raajuvula
1967 Sukhadukhalu Idi Mallela Velayani Idi Vennela Masamani
1968 Undamma Bottu Pedata Ravamma Mahalakhsmi Ravamma
1969 Ekaveera Prati Raatri Vasantha Raatri
1970 Mayani Mamatha Raanika Neekosam Sakhi, Raadika Vasanta Maasam
1971 Kalyana Mandapam Chukkalu Pade Subha Mantram
1971 Antha Mana Manchike Maata Chalada Manasu Chalada
1972 Manchi Rojulochayi Neloto Needa Annadi Nanu Taakaradani
1973 Bhakta Tukaram Ghana Ghana Sundaraa Karuna Rasa Mandiraa
1973 Neramu Siksha Chesina Papam Needi Chitikina Bratukinkokaridi
1974 Amma Manasu Srisailabhavanaa Meluko
1975 Balipeetam Kusalama Neeku Kusalamena
1975 Cheekati Velugulu Cheekati Velugula Kaugitilo Chinde Kumkuma Vannelu
1976 Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club Naa Peru Bikari, Naa Daari Edari
1978 Seetamalakshmi Maavi Chigugu Tinagane Koyila Palikena
1978 Sri Rama Pattabhishekam Ee Gangakenta Digulu Ee Gaalikenta Gubulu
1979 Gorintaku Gorinta Poochindi Komma Lekunda
1979 Karthika Deepam Aaraneekuma Ee Deepam Karteeka Deepam
1980 Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Mahatyam Veena Naa Veena Eruguduva Neevainaa
1983 Megha Sandesam Aakulo Aakunai Puvvulo Puvvunai

Mundu Telusuna Prabhu

Awards

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Nandi Awards[7]
Other Awards

References

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  1. ^ "Archive News". The Hindu. 11 April 2008. Archived from the original on 1 June 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b Krishnasastri Archived 10 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "కవితాలోకాన కల్పవల్లి.. దేవులపల్లి". Zee News Telugu (in Telugu). 1 November 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Display Books of this Author". Avkf.org. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  5. ^ "మన షెల్లీ దేవులపల్లి". Mana Telangana (in Telugu). 1 November 201y. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  6. ^ Vendithera Patalu, Krishnasastri Sahityam, Volume 3, Vishalandhra Publishing House, Hyderabad, 2008
  7. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  8. ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
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