The Telugu People’s poet who aroused the national consciousness – Sri Garimella Satyanarayana

Pradakshina

The great Telugu people’s poet, lyricist, freedom fighter and Satyagrahi, Sri Garimella Satyanarayana’s contribution to national freedom struggle and Telugu public life in the bygone era is immeasurable and immortal. His every word and song in the praise of Motherland and against the British colonial rule became a national anthem for the Telugu people.

We are aware of the social thinkers and political leaders who were in the forefront during the liberation struggle of the nation. However we are not well aware of the contributions of people’s poets and writers who inspired generations through their poetry, skits and songs. They paved way for people’s Satyagraha in the service of the nation, and for the liberation of the country from the shackles of foreign colonial rule, and strived for the mental shackles to go. 200 years of foreign colonial rule virtually killed the spirit and the self-esteem of the people; it was then a new generation of lyricists and poets rose in Andhra desa who with their literature helped awaken a dormant people to rise in revolt against the foreign rule.

Sri Garimella Satyanarayana was among the foremost distinguished voices to awaken the national  spirit, his powerful lyrics evoked valor and strength in the people. His famous lyric `Maakoddi telladorathanam’ (`we don’t want this white lords’ rule) evoked great excitement and courage in people.  It virtually became a national anthem among crores of Telugus in those days. His `Dandaalu dandaalu Bharata Mata’  paying obeisance to the mother nation, created a huge fervor among the people, making lakhs of them jump into the national movement. Fearless nationalist poet Sri Garimella Satyanarayana was among the first of litterateurs to be imprisoned by the British rulers for his lyrics. He set a new trend for nationalist poetry in those tumultuous days.

Sri Garimella Satyanarayana was born on 14^th July 1893 in a Brahmin family to parents Suramma and Venkata Narasimham in Gonepadu village, Narsannapeta taluka of Srikakulam district.  His primary education was in his native village Priyagraharam, and he continued with his higher education in Vijayanagaram, Machilipatnam, and Rajamahendravaram e. After his graduation, he worked as a clerk in Ganjam district Collectorate and later as a teacher in Vijayanagaram High school.  Because of his spirit for freedom, he couldn’t continue for long in British administration. His iconic lyric `Maakoddi telladorathanam’ was written after the 1920 Calcutta Congress session, the song created such a stir that papers of the song were sold for a Beda- 12 paisa each on the streets of Rajahmundry. Congress volunteers wearing khaddar, carrying the

Tricolor used to sing and march on the streets; `Maakoddi telladorathanam’ was reverberating everywhere. On Gandhi’s request in Sabarmathi Ashram, Andhra Kesari Sri Tanguturi Prakasam translated and published the lyric in his `Swarajya’ magazine. NG Ranga called Sri Garimella as `praja patala Tyagayya’ – People’s Tyagayaa.

British Collector Brekan heard about the song and the fervor it is invoking in people and called Sri Garimella to sing the song to him. The great writer-singer that he was, Garimella sang the song with great gusto. The Collector praised him saying that though he doesn’t know Telugu he can understand the power of the song and how it can awaken people, and hence he imposed stringent imprisonment on Sri Garimella for an year!   Before going to prison, Sri Garimella addressed the people in a letter, published in The Hindu of 11^th February 1922:

‘Dear brothers and sisters, I have completed my small work; British Govt decided to put a full-stop to my pen and voice for an year, and they say that I’m a  danger to their rule and societal peace. If I am truly like that, it means they have realized this fact very late. I have handed over my writings and lyrics to the people. Even though my frail body may be imprisoned, my soul is alive and free among the people through my literature, and will work much stronger than my body. My mind is now clear. With God’s blessings, I will come back to your midst to sing songs of freedom, Swarajya and your victory. With love and affection,  Garimella Satyanarayana’.

After an year of imprisonment, Sri Garimella Satyanarayana was again back among the people, singing the nationalist songs. Looking at his appeal among the people, British Govt officials were frightened that if he remains outside, the national movement will pick up strength and speed, and hence he was imprisoned once again for two years by the Kakinada Magistrate.  While he was in prison in 1923, his father passed away; British govt offered to let him go if he tenders an apology. The great patriot that he was, Sri Garimella refused to apologize.

In the intense phase of national struggle in those days, Satyagrahis of all age groups, whether young or old were picked up by the police, jailed and tortured. Sri Garimella advised the people to voluntarily give up themselves for arrest and fill the jails. As a Satyagrahi he adhered to and lived a life of principles and values. As an eminent Bharatiya, he expressed his displeasure in songs regarding the Indian leaders who were western in their lifestyles and thought processes. He warned them that these political compromises would have far-reaching dire consequences.  In his English poem, `Heart of India’, he opined that Indians who show servility to the British must be punished.

With his sharp incisive mind, he grasped that British were attacking Hindu Dharma ideologically to demean Hindus and the nation. He was against the slaughter of Gomatha, the venerated cows. In those days, many celebrated national leaders, especially many in Congress party, lacked this national spirit and outlook. He wrote in ‘Maakoddi telladorathanam’ – `he likes the warm meat of pregnant cows, he kills the dairying and prosperity, he kills our dharma’. Another pointer to his subtle and incisive mind, in the same lyric, he wrote – ‘why are you bothered about the differences of Brahmins/non-brahmins/ panchamas; if you fall for the wrong teachings, this slavery continues’; in those days, British were deliberately distorting Bharatiya texts and the nation’s history with a view to divide and rule Hindus. British through their distorted writings, started misinformation campaign that Brahmins are the cause of societal ills like untouchability. They also sowed the seeds of division by false claims that Hindutva has been confined to Brahmins only, such claims have led to Brahmin-hatred among several sections of the society in old Madras state, especially in Tamil region and is the direct cause of subsequent `Dravidian ideology’. It must be noted that unless the writer had a deep penetrating look, it wouldn’t have been possible to realize the British conspiracy in those days. Further he writes that `irrespective of the false claims, don’t get deluded; we all belong to the Hindu Desa and we are all brothers and there are no differences between us, leave your lame excuses and come together’.

Swadesi, Swadharma

During his jail days, Sri Garimella completely imbibed Gandhian philosophy. He believed in the boycott of videsi/foreign education and foreign goods. He got his three younger brothers to discontinue their education. He refused to get his sister married to someone who had English education. His staunch Swadesi belief system became a curse for his family, the family had fallen into deep penury, as they didn’t have jobs. One brother left the house never to return, they had to sell their small house to survive. And Garimella Satyanarayana continuously suffered police cases and jail terms. Everyone around him criticized him sharply that his patriotism has become a curse for their family. Yet the staunch patriot that he was, he didn’t budge an inch from his position.

Sri Garimella started `Sarada Granthamala’ to publish his and others’ nationalist literature. All that he knew was patriotism, as he was traveling to Madras, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada often during national movement, the publishing work suffered and he made huge losses. He also understood the real selfish mentality of people who otherwise praised his poetry and heroism.

Apart from his many works in Telugu, he wrote in other languages also.  While in jail, he learnt Tamil and Kannada and translated several books into Telugu. He also wrote poetry and other articles in English occasionally. His long poem  `Dandalandoyi babu, memu ndalemandoyi, ee saithanu prabhuthaninka saaganeeyamoyi’ runs into 113 stanzas.

During his longer spell of rigorous imprisonment, his entire family died. He himself died all alone and in abject poverty on 18^th  December 1952 unsung and uncared for by the then Congress Government in independent India.

Works

 Swarajya Geethamulu- 1921

Harijanula Patalu- 1923

Swarnayu Geethalu

Khanda  Kavyas, Bhakti  Geethalu, Bala  Geethalau – 1926

Tamil classic Thirukkural translation into Telugu

Heart of the Nation – English poetry

Mother India- English poetry

Tallikota – Kannada play translation into Telugu