Panuganti Lakshminarasimha Rao

Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimha Rao (Telugu - పానుగంటి లక్ష్మీ నరసింహా రావు) (2 November 1865 – 1 January 1940) was one of the famous modern Telugu writers. He was born at SeethaNagaram, East Godavari District. Most of his education was in Rajahmundry. After his education, he became a teacher in Peddapuram High School. Later he moved to Pitahpuram as 'Asthana Kavi' for the Pitahpuram Rajah's kingdom.

He brought "essay" into prominence in Telugu literature. His contribution to Andhra literature is stupendous and outstanding. He is popularly known as "Andhra Shakespeare" and, "Andhra Edison". He was awarded 'Abhinava Kalidas' by Venkata Sastry. He was one of the three famous writers of those days - Chilakamarthy Lakshmi Narasimham, Koochi Narasimham and Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimham - popularly known as 'Simha Trayam'.

Literary works

• Sri Vishnu Naama Maala Strotram (1899)
• Narmada Purukutsiyam (1902)
• Saarangadhara (1904)
• Raadhakrishna (1904): It is based on the tenets of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He was inspired to write this play by Ashutosh Mukherji’s Lord Gouranga. The play depicts the stages of development of Radha’s simple bhakti growing into Mahabhava, its highest culmination usually associated with only Radha by vaishnava scholars. It is sought to elevate the image of Radha to Krishna's consort in Goloka, the heaven. The Sage Narada was used as an initiator and promotor of this dramatic action.
• Prachanda Chanakyamu (1909)
• Pattabhanga Raghavamu or Paadukaa Pattabhishekhamu (1909)
• Kokila (1909)
• Vijaya Raghavamu (1909)
• Vanavasa Raghavamu (1909)
• Vyjayanthi Vilasamu or Vipranaaraayana Charitra (1909)
• Buddha Bodha Sudha (1910)
• Vruddha Vivahamu (1910)
• Mano Mahima (1911)
• Saakshi (1913-1914; 1920-1922; 1927-1928; 1933)
• Kalyana Raaghavamu (1915)
• Kanthaabharanamu (1917)
• Kathalahari (1917)
• Hasyavallari (1917)
• Prakeershopanyasamulu (1918)
• Saraswathi (1920)
• Poornima (1922)
• Mudrika (1923)
• Veeramathi (1923)
• Chudamani
• Padmini (1929)
• Malatheemala (1929)
• Sarojini (1930)
• Raati Sthambhamu (1930)
• Vichitra Vivahamu (1931)
• Gunavathi (1948)
• Manimala (1948)
• Subbaraju (1948)
• Paraprema (1948)
• Ramaraju (1948)
• Chinna Natakamu (1948)

References

• Sastry, Mudigonda Veerabhadra (1993). Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimha Rao. Makers of Indian Literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-7201-499-5.
• Sastry, Mudigonda Veerabhadra, ed. (2002). "Introduction". Radhakrishna: a play in five acts by Pānugaṇṭi Lakṣmīnarasiṃhārāvu (Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimha Rao). New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8126013907.
• Kalyana Raghavamu: Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimha Rao, 1915.
• Narmadapurukutsiyam: Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimha Rao, 1973 .
• Raathi Sthambhamu: Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimharao,1930 .