TELUGU
Man of letters
SAROJINI PREMCHAND
TIRUMALA RAMACHANDRA — A Monograph: Akkiraju Ramapatirao; Sahitya Akademi, 35, Rabindra Bhavan, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi-110001. Rs. 25.
THE LIFE story of an extraordinary man of letters is gently spread out before readers in an engaging style and chaste language by the author. Ramachandra (1913-97), one of the most distinguished scholars of the 20th century literati, was also one among the very few who was proficient in Prakrit. Works from Buddhist and Jain literature and Gadhasaptashati are the more prominent of his published writings. He has also several translations from Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil to his credit.
Born in a remote village near Hampi, his wanderlust took him all over the country and this inspired him to delve deeply into the history and cultures of places and people.
He worked for almost all the Telugu journals and contributed more than a thousand articles on archaeology, sociology, linguistics, temple sculpture, music, fine arts and, ancient and modern literature. Apart from this he wrote 20 regular features for various magazines drawing popular attention to these divergent subjects. “Hampi nunchi Harappa daka”, in which he recounts the events in his life, is an invaluable record of literary and political happenings during his time.
Ramapatirao begins this monograph with a brilliant sketch of society and literature of the 20th century.
Rao’s comprehensive approach is evident throughout; a picture of the man behind the diligent scholar emerges gradually. His frugal living style, the hardships he faced, unswerving trust in people, his open heart and the readiness with which he accepted any situation, the silent strength of his wife Ananthalakshmi are brought out very effectively.
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