UGC MHRD e Pathshala Subject: English Principal Investigator: Prof. Tutun Mukherjee, University of Hyderabad Paper 09: Comparative Literature: Drama in India Paper Coordinator: Prof. Tutun Mukherjee, University of Hyderabad Module 12: Gurjada Appa Rao: Kanyasulkam Content Writer: Dr. Vamshi Krishna Reddy, NIT Rourkela Content Reviewer: Prof. Tutun Mukherjee, University of Hyderabad Language Editor: Prof. Tutun Mukherjee, University of Hyderabad Introduction: Telugu Theatre has a prominent place in producing several pioneering works which have been translated into English and many other Indian languages. Among them, Kanyasulkam by Gurazada Venkata Appa Rao (1862-1915) is considered as the greatest. Appa Rao is known as a pathfinder of modernism in Telugu Literature. Most of the time in his life, he was with Vijayanagaram rulers by working and producing lot of research in English classics. He produced his writings by using the form of common men Telugu language. One of his masterpieces, a prose plays ' Kanyasulkam1', inscribed in the north costal Andhra dialect, which is a popular work of art in the genre of Telugu Drama and remains as one of the most admiring literary works. Appa Rao’s 'Mutyala Saraalu (Strings of Pearls) and 'Neelagiri Paainlu (Songs of Neelagiri) place a new trend in Telugu poetry. Career and Works of the author: Gurajada Venkata Appa Rao, popularly known as Gurajada, born on Septrmber 21st , 1862 in Rayavaram Village, near Yalamanchili of Visakapattanam district of Andhra Pradesh into a Telugu Brahmin family. Some of his popular works along with Kanyasulkam are Prathaparudreeyam, Purnamma and Viswavidyalayalu. He was honored with titles like Kavishekara and Abhyudaya Kavita Pithamahudu. He was highly popular for bringing spoken dialect/language of common people of that time to his works of art. His Kanyasulkam is considered as the best and the greatest play in Telugu theatre. He died on 30th November, 1915. List of Important Works: • Kanyasulkam (1892) • Kukku, an English poem, published in 1882. • Kondubhattiyam (1906) • Neelagiri Paatalu (1907) 1 The play was first staged in 1892 and published in 1897. The second and revised edition followed in 1909 (Narayana Rao 2011). • Mutyalasaramulu and Kasulu (1910) • Kanyaka and Subhadra (1912) • Langarettumu (1915) Kanyasulkam is considered as the first 'modern' text in Telugu literature. It portrays the the practice of bride price in the families of priestly Brahmins across Andhra Pradesh in particular and South India in general. It is also one of the earliest works in Telugu Theatre to have appreciated the colonial models of modernity. Appa Rao came across many uncertainties and contradictions in the ideologies of reforms in the movements during 19th century in Andhra Pradesh. However, he succeeded in exposing the then society and their atrocities in life with his critical discernments in Kanyasulkam. This play primarily deals with the evil practice of bride- price, in other words, dowry along with many other inter-related social issues of the time such as child marriage and widow remarriage. Appa Rao’s intention is serious, but his indispensable dramatic mode in his play is comedy. Humor and levity have become weapons for his dramatic masterpiece in foregrounding the tradition and modernity. Kanyasulkam created a revolution both in social reforms field and Telugu literature alike. It dealt with the abolition of Child marriages and Bride price. Gurajada Appa Rao’s Kanyasulkam is set in the Vizianagaram princely state of British India. The play deals basically with the lives of the ‘Upper Caste’ Telugu Brahmins of the area. However, it also offers a few insights into the lives of other communities in the region as well. The play revolves around two characters namely Mr. Girisam, an English-educated, quick-witted and resourceful but dishonest Brahmin man, and Madhuravani, a prostitute who values and considers her morals seriously. Even though the play continues a shell of humor through satire, it expresses the ‘dishonor to society’ that outraged the playwright. List of important Characters: • Agnihotravadhanlu – Venkatesham’s father • Venkamma – Wife of Agnihotravadhanlu • Bucchamma – Elder daughter of Agnihotravadhani • Subbamma – Younger daughter of Agnihotravadhanlu • Venkatesam – Son of Agnihotravadhanlu • Karataka Sastri – Brother-in-law of Agnihotravadhanlu • Sishyudu – Student of Karataka Sastri • Lubdhavadhanlu – Venkamma’s brother • Meenakshi – Widowed daughter of Lubdhavadhanlu • Ramappantulu – Karanam of Ramachandrapuram agraharam and Brother-in-law of Lubdhavadhanulu • Gireesam – cousin of Lubdhavadhanlu • Madhuravani - Prostitute • Saujanyaravu pantulu – Lawyer • Nayudu, Private vakeel Plot Summary: Act I: The play starts in 'Bonkula Dibba' a village near Vijayanagaram, situated in North East part of Andhra Pradesh. This scene introduces Girisham and other important characters along with their nature and professions. Girisham introduced as an English educated man and he wants to reform the society from evil practices such as child marriages, anti nautch movement etc. Girisham initially introduced as a man of debts and struggling for the existence as a respectable man in the village. In the very first entry of the play, Girisham assumes that it is better to leave the place where he is living for some time to avoid various problems out of his unnecessary doings. The protagonist character Girisam, who lives in the house of Putakoolamma, is an English educated man. He wants to eradicate the evil practices of the society. To escape from that place, Girisham planned to enthrall his young student who fails in his exams. He motivates Venkatesham and reaches his native place to train him in English as a teacher. Girisham tries to influence Venkatesham through his straightforward speeches on child marriages and other evil practices of the then society in existence. According to his views at the initial scenes of the play, the readers/audience can understand his reformative attitude. Another noticeable point the first act follows his comments against the traditional practices in the society. He opines that those evil practices are having strong grass roots in the society. Afterwards, Girisham visits his lovely lady Madhuravani at her home. During his meeting with Madhravani, a beautiful prostitute of the village, he tackles Ramappanthulu, the Karanam of the village who also happens to be there with her. The comic scene during Pootakoolamma’s search of Girisam for taking some money from Madhuravani gives an idea of the lives of Girisham, Ramappantulu and Pootakoolamma. She consequently attacks Ramappantulu and Girisham with the broom stick who hides themselves under the bed of Madhuravani. Act II This scene opens in Krishnarayapuram village, at Agnihotravadhanlu's home. Here, characters like Karataka Sastri and his student along with Agnihotravadhanlu's family are being introduced. Venkamma is the wife of Agnihotravadhanlu, receives her son Venkatesham and his teacher Girisham with modesty. Agnihotravadhanlu’s daughters Subbi and Meenakshi, a widow become important subject matters for Girisham. He thinks that he can work out his plans of action on remarriages of widows. This episode encounters with the issues related to the evil practices that exist in the society, such as re-marriages, selling girls and detestation towards English education. Some of the views of the characters such as Venkamma's enthusiasm for English education and Karataka Sastry's sarcastic statements about bride price etc are humorous and relevant to theme of resistance against the societal norms. Afterwards, the conversation between Karataka Sastry and his student shows the efficacy of English education and dislike towards the traditional way of learning the Vedas and other themes in Telugu literature. Various satirical situations can be noticed by Karataka sastry, who wants to put aside his sister's younger daughter, Subbi from marrying Girisam's cousin Lubdhavadhanlu. Sastry suggests his student to pretend him as a bride to marry Lubdhavadhanlu. He also offered his daughter to his student to get married, if his student succeeds in his plan. The discussion on the subject of English education between Girisam and Venkatesam shows Girisam's political strategies in gaining name and fame under the name of social reform by encouraging child marriages and widow re-marriages. They converse about the people who have been roaming around law suits. Girisham recites a poem called ‘The Widow’ which satirizes the existing plight of the widows in typical Hindu Brahmin families of Andhra Pradesh. Act III The present scene shows the aptitude and talent of Madhuravani in settling many disputes. Her initiation being a prostitute to settle the issues of evil society proves that she is morally fit enough. The scene begins in Ramachandrapuram at Ramappantulu's house. The reader/audience understands that the property of Agnihotravadhanlu is under dispute and also notices that his attitude in manipulation of palmistry and documents. She inspects about Lubdhavadhanlu's wedding with Subbi. After lot of conversation, Madhuravani brings Ramappantulu under the notion that she is naive about the world affairs and her lack of knowledge in dealing with some inconsequential things. It occurs in the bedroom of Ramappantulu. The first part of this scene happens among the Student, Madhuravani and Karatakasastri. Karatakasastry appeals Madhuravani about his niece and seeks help to save Subbi from the marriage with Lubdhavadhanlu,