Chilakamarthi's first drama, Kichakavadha i.e. "Killing of Kichaka" in 1889 proved such a success that he wrote others for them. Draupadi parinayam i.e. "Draupadi's Wedding" in 1889, Gayopakhyanamu i.e. "The Gaya Episode" in 1889, Srirama jananamu i.e. "Sri Rama's Birth" in 1889, Parijatapaharanamu i.e. "Stealing the parijata Tree" in 1890, Nala natakam i.e. "Nala's Play" in 1890, Sita kalyanamu i.e. "Ska's Nuptials" in 1890, Prasannayadavamu i.e. "Pleased Yadava" in 1905-6, Prahlada charitramu i.e. "Prahlada's Story" in 1927, and Chatura Chandrahasamn i.e. 'Wise Chandrahasa' in 1927 are some of them. Besides all these, he translated Bhasa into Teluguduring 1915-33. His comedies are of two kinds. The full-fledged ones he called Prahasanamulu or farces and shorter humorous sketches were titled as Vinodamulu i.e. "Amusements" in 1933. Chilakamarthi composed his early drama in prose, but inserted suitable poems when publishing them. The musical Gayopaklryanamu became very popular, selling a lakh of copies by 1933. This was a record for any Telugu book. This is because of the fact that it contained mellifluous poems. Every theatre association performing padya natakam or verse drama staged it. Chilakamarthi Lakshminarasimham died in 1946. |