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A walking collection of Shakespearean works

G.V.Ramana Rao finds the translated works of Shakespeare by Atluru Purushotham interesting and readable

What do Shakespeare and Milton have in common? Few know that the works of these two literary stalwarts have been translated into Telugu by retired college principal and Vijayawada city's man of letters, Atluru Purushotham.

The octogenarian has the distinction of translating the Complete Works of Shakespeare and Milton's "Areopagitica", an appeal to the British Parliament asking it to rescind an order bring publishing under government control.

Though he was a teacher for over five decades, Purushotham is famous as a translator of Shakespeare.

Shakespearean birthplace

Having taught Shakespeare for several years, Purushotham felt the need to translate the works of the legendary playwright into his mother tongue. He is the first and probably the only person to translate the Complete Works of Shakespeare into Telugu. His passion for Shakespeare took him to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare and also the site of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

CRUSADER Atluru Purushotham is an advocate of change in the education system PHOTOS: CH.VIJAYA BHASKAR

The idea of translating Complete Works struck him at Shakespeare's birthplace after he saw translations of it into other Indian languages at a library there. Purushotham has translated the works into three volumes. The first volume consists of the sonnets, the second volume of the tragedies and the third consists of the comedies.

Limited copies

Having no intention to exploit his endeavours commercially, he printed a limited number of copies and sold sets only those who approached him directly to recover the publication costs.

Today, he is left with a few dozen sets that he gifts only to the "most deserving".

Even as a teacher, he distinguished himself by campaigning against some unhealthy educational practices. He wrote letters to newspapers and also contributed articles on various subjects whenever he could.

He opposed the practice of dictating notes in the classrooms. "This academic opium (dictated notes) is the source of the hypnotizing power of the coaches and quacks that have found a secure place in the domain of education," he wrote in an article published in an English daily three decades ago and these words seem to be relevant even today.

Library lover

He also championed the cause of open access to libraries. Earlier, degree college students were not allowed to go to the bookshelves and pick the book of their choice. The joy of browsing through a book before taking it home to read was unknown to students. A letter written in support of open access to libraries by Purushotham was published in The Hindu 35 years ago. He was then working as Senior Lecturer in the Andhra Loyola College here.

"There were no complaints from the college management about the letter, but after a month, access to the library was opened to the students," Purushotham says lauding the administrative skills of the Jesuits.

Even at 83 Purushotham has not relented his campaign to educate children in the best possible way.

He educated himself against all odds because the village elders cheated his illiterate parents. He has opened a school in Nuzvid to provide the best of everything to children.

He is also researching into the various reasons that were causing students to commit suicide. "If the parents' desires are not fulfilled what can the child do?" he asks.

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