Chilakamarti Lakshmi Narasimham Pantulu (1867-1945), a prolific author in Telugu wrote several Plays, Poems, Novels and biographies despite the handicap of blindness. His traditional stage plays like Gayopakhyanam made him known as 'Local Shakespeare'. His historical novels like Karpoora Manjari containing a romantic touch made him popular as 'Andhra Scott.' His autobiog- raphy a treasure house of information reveals his achievements, rather dispassionately, as a poet, patriot and social reformer.
Dr. V.V.L. Narasimha Rao, the author of this monograph is a poet, playwright and critic in Telugu. He has a number of literary works to his credit including Ananda Bhiksu, narrative poem, Kumara Bharatham, play and The Poetic Diction of Nannaya, his extensive research work. As the Director of the Oriental Manuscripts Library & Research Institute he has been the Chief Editor for many critical editions of great classics in Sanskrit and Telugu.
The world is wide. So is the world of writers.
It is in the fitness of things to introduce to the wider world the life and works of Chilakamarti Lakshmi Narasimham (1867-1946) an outstandin outstanding Telugu writer and a follower of Kandukuri Veeresalingam (1848-1919).
Chilakamarti made a significant contribution to Telugu literature and the society as a patriot, poet, play-wright, novelist, biographer, autobiographer, journalist and social reformer, though he was blind like John Milton.
In my critical assessment of Chilakamarti's works, I have projected his multifaceted personality and achievements of abiding value without going into ecstasy or exaggeration, keeping in view the limitations of a biographer.
Care has been taken to identify the incidental relevance of his works to the present day problems as also his universal message for all times since the very purpose of literature is to guide mankind in its quest for extreme bliss through unity in diversity.
Of the many books I consulted to write this monograph, the two books - Kandukuri Veeresalingam, a monograph in English by D. Anjaneyulu writer of repute and Chilkamarti Sahitya Seva (Service of Chilakamarti to Literature) a treatise in Telugu by M. Bharati deserve special mention.
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