Biography of Gurajada Venkata Appa Rao

(September 21, 1862 - 1915)

G urajada Venkata Appa Rao is a leading figure of modern Telugu literature. He was born on September 21, 1862 at Rayavaram of Vishakhapatnam district. He graduated from the M.R. College, Vizianagaram.

The style of Rao's poetry was simple. He did not like the pedantic or the enigmatic style. His intellectual creativity was great. He was always concerned about the social problems. He wanted to bring about social reforms by his works.

His great play 'Kanyasulkam' was staged in 1892, dedicated to the social cause. At that time, girls at ten years of age were married to men of 65 years of age. In return, the girl's parents used to get a sum of Rs. 1000. This unfortunate act was brought to light in the play. 'Kanyasulkam' was first performed in 1892 by the ‘Jagannadha Vilasini Sabha' of Vizianagaram.

Rao was in fact a pioneer of modern Telugu literature. He blazed a new trail in playwriting and poetry. He passed away in 1915.