Mana Sanskriti (Our Culture)

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Chief Editor: Dr. Sreenivasarao Vepachedu

Subrahmanyasastri Pendyala (1877-1950)

Subrahmanyasastri Pendyala was born in Chodavaramu village in East Godavari District on May 11, 1877 in a poor Brahmin family. He learned astrology from his father and kalidaasatrayamu from his uncle. His father died when Subrahmanyasastri was only 15, forcing him to depend on the charity of villagers. He also taught at a street school in the Chinnabrahmadevamu village.

He studied Sanskrit under the guidance of Bhadradrisastri Sonthi. He served as an elementary school teacher in villages such as Medapadu, Vetlapalemu, Velangi, and Karava. Later, he served as a Telugu teacher at various schools: Pithapuram king's college in Kakinada, National College in Bandaru, Board High School in Rajolu, and Sri Chellayama Rao's School in Pithapuram.

He wrote a controversial critique on Mahabharat entitled, "mahaabhaaratcharitra pradhama bhaagamu", which landed him in court. He also wrote critical essays on Ramayan. His other works include: vEdakaalapu vyavasaaya charitra, pareekshittu, maamsabhukti, sri koaka venkaTasubbaraaya charitra, swaamibaabugari jeevita charitra, ramoapaakhyanamu, navakathaa manjari, uttarabhaaratamu, chitraratna pETi, suktisudhanidhi, ambikapalyagrahaaramu charitra, and rEdio prasamgamulu. When he died in 1950, a special memorial was conducted, which was attended by eminent political leaders, professors and writers.

Source: "naa vaagnmaya mitrulu" by Kameswararao Tekumalla.