Vedam Venkataraya Sastry

Vedam Venkataraya Sastry

Portrait from his drama "Bobbili Yudham"
Born December 21, 1853
Madras
Died June 18, 1929
Madras
Occupation Sanskrit pandit
Nationality Indian
Ethnicity Hindu
Citizenship India
Education B.A.
Alma mater Madras Christian College
Genre Playwright, Poet, Critic
Notable works Prataparudriyam play
Notable awards Mahamahopadhyaya, Kalaprapoorna
Relatives Vedam Venkataraya Sastry

Vedam Venkataraya Sastry (December 21, 1853 - June 18, 1929) was a Sanskrit and Telugu language poet, critic and dramatist. He is respected for providing authoritative editions of Sanskrit and Telugu classics.

Life sketch

He was born to Venkataramana Sastry and Lakshmamma in Madras in 1853. He was graduated (B.A.) in 1887. He had worked as a Sanskrit pandit in Madras Christian College for 25 years.

He wrote original drama and translated Sanskrit dramas of Kalidasa and Harsha. He established a dramatic association named Andhra Bhashabhimani Nataka Samajam in 1899. His original works include Prataparudriya natakam (Prataparudra's Play) in 1897 and Usha natakam (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. 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.

He worked as Chief editor of Suryarayandhra Nighantuvu in 1916.

He died in 1929 in Madras.

Literary works

Honors

References

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