Vedam Venkataraya Sastry was a traditionalist opposing the use of the spoken idiom in creative and critical writing. He was born in 1853. He is respected for providing authoritative editions of classics from Sanskrit literature and Telugu literature. He wrote original drama and translated from Sanskrit language, notably Kalidasa and Harsha. He also established a dramatic association, Andhra Bhashabhimani Nataka Samajam in 1899. This presented only his plays.
Early Life of Vedam Venkataraya Sastry
He was born to Venkataramana Sastry and Lakshmamma in Chennai, in the year 1853. He was graduated with Bachelor in.Arts in 1887. He has worked as Sanskrit pandit in Madras Christian College for 25 years.
Career of Vedam Venkataraya Sastry
Vedam Venkataraya Sastry`s original works include Prataparudriya natakam i.e. "Prataparudra`s Play" in 1897 and Usha natakam i.e. "Usha`s Play" in 1901. The former won a great reputation as a historical drama for introducing a Chanakyan-type character in Yugandhara, minister of the Kakatiya king Prataparudra, and for its patrochita bhasha i.e. "appropriate language" using different dialects for the dramatis personae on the basis of their nativity and class. It recreated Prataparudra`s grandeur and created other memorable roles like Vidyanatha the poet, Chekumuki Sastry the courtier, and the simple Perigadu and Yelli, who became synonymous in Telugu theatre with rustic humour.
Vedam Venkataraya Sastry died in 1929.
Literary works by Vedam Venkataraya Sastry
Naganandamu (1891), Shakuntalamu (1896), Prataparudriya Natakam (1897), Usha Parinayam Natakam (1901), Vikramorvashiyam (1901), Nannechoduni Kavitvamu., Pushpabana Vilasu, Visandhi Vivekamu (1912), Bobbili Yuddham (1916), Malavikagni Mitramu (1919), Tikkana Somayaji Vijayamu (1919), Uttararama Charitra (1920), Andhra Sahitya Darpanamu, Vyamohamu, Tanasa, Akkanna Madannalu, Telunguvarevaru - Parishodhana vyasamu, Mayasabha (Duryodhana), Rasamanjari (1950)
Honours Received by Vedam Venkataraya Sastry
* 1920: Mahamahopadhyaya award by Andhra Mahasabha.
* 1922: Sarvatantra svatantra, Mahamahopadhyaya and Vidyadanavrata mahoradhi facilitations by Sankara of Dwaraka Peetham
* 1927: Kalaprapoorna by Andhra Viswakala Parishad. He was the first recipient of that honour.
* 1958: Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi award for his critical analysis on Nanne Choda`s prabandha poetry in 1958.
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