# Jandhyala Papayya Sastry

Jandhyala Papayya Sastry (4 August 1912 – 21 June 1992) was an eminent Telugu writer and lyricist. He was popularly known as Karunasri because his writings expressively show compassion (Karuna or Kāruṇyam), one of the nine Rasas. His famous kavyas include Pushpa Vilapam and Kunthi Kumari.
Poetry is the tremendous reflection of integrated self-awareness of man and the suffering and maladies of society. Karunasri's “Udayasri” “Vijayasri” and “Karunasri” achieved the rarest and unique distinction innumerable reprints. The poet rightly described ″Udayasri″ as his fragrant heart, ″Vijayasri″ as his thoughtful head and ″Karunasri″ as his valuable life. These three works of karunasri are the manifestation of satyam (Truth), Sivam (Goodness) and Sundaram (Beauty).
“Udayasri” takes us from darkness to twilight;
“Vijayasri” from twilight to light;
and “Karunasri” from light to delight – The bliss of god.
Poetry of Karunasri will take us to the melodious heights of spirituality and to the depths of maladies and sorrowful sufferings of present society and ultimately act as panacea of all ills. His poetry is the harbinger of peace, social purpose and human values and also an answer and solution for all social problems.
Karunasri is a strange combination of tradition and modernity, spirituality and social awareness and most of his poetry dances and endures on the lips of every one sweetly and serenely. He is popularly remembered and revered as a poet of great popularity only next to Bammera Potana, the poet of Mahabhagavata.

## Brief life sketch

Papayya Sastry was born in Kommuru village, Pedanandipadu mandal, Guntur district in 1912. After primary and middle school education in his village.
Papayya Sastry has about 27 works, which include Pushpa Vilapam, Kunthi Kumari, Karunasri, Paaki Pilla, Udayasri, Vijayasri, Omar Khayyam, Aruna Kiranalu, Telugu Baala and Kalyana Kalpavalli. His Pushpa Vilapam was born out of his anger towards a visitor, who began eating the petals of a rose from the flower vase on the table, while the poet had been in his prayer room. Karunasri was born out of his stream of his thoughts when he visited the rare Buddhist sculpture, Mahachaitya and pillars at Amaravathi village, Guntur district. He saw the plight of a scavenger girl and wrote Paaki Pilla (1928) at the age of 16 years. His compositions are timeless; they move the soul. The language is very simple and any common man with basic understanding of the Telugu language can easily understand the depth of his expression. Ghantasala rendered his Pushpa Vilapam and Kunti Kumari. The lyrics and Ghantasala's voice are said to make people cry with pity.
Papayya Sastry acted as Nandi Thimmana without wearing any make-up in Bhuvana Vijayam during Ugadi celebrations. He became a devotee of Satya Sai Baba and Viswaguru Viswamji during his later years.
Papayya Sastry was married to Anasuyamma. They had two sons and a daughter.
Parents: Mahalakshmi and Paradesaiah
Wife: Anasuya Devi
Sons: Dr. Jaya Krishna Bapuji, M.A., Ph.D. (Spouse: Subhashini) Venkata Ramana M.Com., M.Ed. (Spouse: Varasri B.sc B.Ed.)
Daughter: Vijaya Lakshmi, M.A., B.Ed. (Ch. Nageswara Rao, M.A., M.Ed.)
Address: 3-22-6, Kalyana Bharati, Ravindra Nagar, Guntur- 522006
Education: Rashtra Bhasha Visarada 1934 Ubhaya Bhasha Praveena 1936 Hindi Bhasha Praveena 1940
Teachers: Sri Kuppa Anjaneya Sastry, Cherukur (Grammar) Sri Bhamidipati Subrahmanya Sastry, Mopidevi (Literature) Sri Jammalamadaka Madhavarama Sarma, Guntur (Rhetoric)
Profession as Teacher: Stall Girls High School, Guntur – 4 years, Sri RamaKrishna High School, Amaravati – 4 years
Profession as Lecturer: A.C. College, Guntur – 22 years, Mahaveer College, Guntur – 3 years, Hindu College, Guntur – 2 years
Editor: Chief Editor, Potana Bhagavatam Project – T.T.D

## Works Published

Bala Koteswara Tharavali (Poetry) 1934
Udayasri (Part I) (Poetry) 1944
ArunaKiranalu (Lyrics) 1945
Karunamayi (Drama) 1945
Vijayasri (Based on Maha Bharat) Poetry 1948
Ahimsa Jyothi (Homage to Ghandhiji) Compilation 1948
Karunasri Part I (Story of Boddha) Poetry 1950
Veera Bharati (Heroic Stories) 1950
Udaya Bharati Children's Text Book 1950
Bharata Pratibha Biographies 1951
Charumitra Playlet 1951
Tenugu Seema Stories for Children 1952
Udayasri Part II Poetry 1952
Kalayana Kadambari Prose 1952
Prema Moorti Prose 1953
Swanna Vasavadatta Drama 1954
Ahimsa Jyothi Novelette 1955
Mahati Stories for Children 1955
Mandaramu Stories for Children 1955
Kalyana Kalpavalli Anthology of Old Poetry 1958
Bala Bharati Stories for Children 1958
Guru Dakshina Stories for Children 1958
Bangaru Padmam Playlets 1959
Indra Dhanussu Stories for children 1960
Chandamaamalo Kundelu Stories for children 1960
Kalayan Dampatulu Stories for children 1960
Telugu Baala Moral Poems 1961
Srinivasa vachanam children's text book 1961
Ganesa Pancha Ratnamaala Compilation 1961
Saptarshi Ramayanam Translation 1962
Pooja Pushpalu Stories for children 1962
Naluguru Mitrulu Novelette 1962
Simham Mechina Chitteluka Stories for children 1962
Adrushtamichina Adbhuta Deepam Novelette 1963
Sakuntala Drama 1963
Vasantasena Novelette 1963
Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Manimanjari Compilation 1964
Adikavi vaalmiki Stories For Children 1965
Tyaga Moorti - Part I Story of Christ 1966
Tyaga Moorti - Part II Story of Christ 1966
Damayanti Novelette 1967
Sailaja Stories for Children 1967
Udayasri Part III Poetry 1968
Udayasri Part IV Poetry 1969
Kalayana Kanaka Durga Translation 1972
Srinivasodaharanam Poetry 1973
Bangaru Mungisa Stories for Children 1974
Matsya Yantram Stories for Children 1975
Maha Veerudu Novelette 1975
Udayasri Part V Poetry 1979
Bhagirathudu Novelette 1980
Kankanti Kavita Vaibhavam Commentary 1980
Potana Bhagavatam Commentary on I canto 1982
Bhagavata vaijayantika Essays 1982
Prasanna Katha vipanchi Commentary 1983
Ananda Lahari Poetry 1986
Amar Khayam Poetry 1987
Poola vaanalu – Tene Sonalu Commentary 1987
Anuraga Lahari Lyrics 1989
Sai Sudhalahari Devotional Poems 1990
Bhavya Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Arsha Bahrathi Stories of Children 1990
Purana Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Adarsha Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Kalyana Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Dalita Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Veera Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Viswa Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Pratibha Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Vinoda Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Chamatkara Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Upadesa Bharathi Stories of Children 1990
Muddu Balasiksha Text Book For Children 1991
Padmavati Srinivasam Novelette 1991
Viswa Sandesa Lahari Moral Poems 1991
Karunasri Part II (Story of Buddha) Poetry 1991

## Titles

Papayya Sastry was awarded Honorary Doctorate from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 12th Mar 1984.
Kavita Kala Nidhi Awarded By Sahiti Sravanti, Rajole 5th Sep 1982.
Kavi Kulalankara Awarded by N.K.V Peettam, Bapatla 17th Apr 1989

## Awards

Telugu Akadamy Award Madras 29th Apr 1985
Rasamayi Award Hyderabad 27th Jun 1987
Abinandana Award Hyderabad 21st Sep 1987
Subhangi Award Hyderabad 27th Jan 1989
Abhiruchi Award Ongole 9th Apr 1989
Nalam Krishnaraya Award Bapatla 17th Apr 1989
Sindhuja Award Secunderabad 8th Nov 1989
Dr.Paidi Lakshmaiah Award Hyderabad 24th Jun 1989
Mahamantri Madanna Award Hyderabad 16th Mar 1990
Yarlagadda Ranganayakulu Award Madras 26th Oct 1990
Dr. Burgula Rama Krishna Rao Award Hyderabad 13th Mar 1991

## Memorable Events

Editor for illustrated literary monthly “subhashini” 1951 – 1953
Participated in All India Poets Conference, New Delhi 24th Jan 1961
Divine felicitation by Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba, Puttaparti 25th Sep 1972
Special Member – Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, Hyderabad 29th Jan 1977
Felicitation with Gold Flowers and Gold Bracelet, Vijayawada 27th Jun 1982
Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi Award 30th Jan 1983
Men of letters Fellowship – Cultural affairs 1st Apr 1984
Honoring By President of India, Sri Gnani Jail Singh 25th Apr 1987
Releasing function of 50th edition (Golden jubilee) of “Udayasri”, And 25th edition (Silver Jubilee) of “Vijayasri” and “Karunasri” by Hon. Andhra Pradesh Chief minister Sri N.T. Ramarao 27th Jun 1987
An appreciation in the Half yearly Magazine “Chitanya Kavita” 1st Apr 1990
More than 1.25.000 Copies of “Telugu Bala” Book were sold. More than 50,000 Copies of “Udayasri” Ist Part were sold. More than 25,000 Copies of “Vijayasri” were sold. More than 25,000 Copies of “Karunasri” were sold.
The Poems Pushpa vilapam, Kunti kumari and ananda lahari were translated into English and Hindi by Dr. Amarendra and Dr. P. Surya Naraya Bhanu respectively
Delivered thousands of literary lectures throughout India.
Advaita Murthy, Sandhyasri, Pushpa vilaapam, Kunti kumari, Anjali, Karunamayi and Prabhati poems were sung by Ghantasala, and melodious music by His Master's Voice.
Divine felicitation by Sri Viswayogi Viswamji on 6th Aug 1988 at guntur, to celebrate the completion of 60 years of literary endeavor.
Review along with cover page photo in the monthly magazine “Pathasala” on 1st Nov 1988
The director Rajaji made a Video film on “Pushpa Vilapam” on 16th Mar 1990
Honoring by Telugu University Hyderabad for “Amar Khayam” on 17th Apr 1990
Honoring by prof. C. Narayana Reddy on his 60th birthday celebrations on 26th Jul 1991
Honoring by Minister of Education, A.P, Sri P.V. Ranga Rao for his book Purana Bharathi on 8th Sep 1991
Several times acted as Mukku Timmana in Bhuvana vijayam, Nannaya in Bharatavataranam, Chemakura Venkata kavi in Indira Mandiram, and Potana in Brahma Sabha.

## Literary Criticism and Research on his works

Smt. P. Sarojini devi did research on the topic “Vijayasri Paryalokanam” and got Masters in Philosophy from Nagarjuna university in 1979.
Sri D.S.V Subrahmanyam did research on the topic “Karunasri Krutula Samagra Pariseelanam” and got Doctorate (Ph.D.) from Banaras Hindu University in 1980
Sri G.A.N Raju did research on the topic “Karunasri Kavyanuseelanam” and got Masters in Philosophy from Andhra university in 1983.
Dr. R. Surya Narayan Murty wrote a special book entitled “ Karunasri Kavya Samiksha” in 1955
Sri G. Prakasa Rao wrote a special book entitled “Karunasri Kavitasri” in 1974
The members of Ramaraja Bhushana Sahitya Parishat, bhimavaram compiled a souvenir on Karunasri entitled “akshropaharam” in 1988
Dr. J. Suman Babu wrote a special research book entitled “Karunasri Kavita Sowrabham” in 1990
Prof. Divakarla Venkatavadhani, Prof. Siva Sankara Swamy, Prof. Bayya Surya Narayana, Prof. Gandham Appa Rao, Dr.Nanduri Rama Krishnamacharya, Dr. Amarendra, Dr.P.Surya Narayana Bhanu, Dr. Dasarathi, Dr.P.G. Krishna Murty, Dr. K. Rama Mohana Roy, Sri Sphurthisri, Sri Y. Balarama Murthy, Sri. Srivatsava, Sri Mahantaiah, Sri G.N. Murty, Sri Pulicherla Samba Siva Rao, Sri Nagalla Gurna Prasada Rao, Sri Gali Nasara Reddy, Sri Mannav Giridhara Rao, Sri P.V.S. Patro, Sri P. Nageswara Rao, Sri Sikhamani, Sri Supani, Sri Seerapani, Sri M.K. Sugam Babu, Sri Smitasri, Sri Mohan, Sri B. Mastan Rao, Sri Y. Jaganmohan Rao, Smt. Ch. Bhavani Devi, Smt Lata etc., written articles in Telugu,English and in Hindi by appreciating Karunasri's work.

## Opinions of Contemporary Literary Luminaries

Dr. Karunasri is a wizard who molded the poem as a word, as a song, as a saying and as an inspiration. He is perfect gentleman with compassion in his eyes and lyricism in his poetry. The very fact that his “Udayasri” had more than 50 reprints is sample proof of his great capabilities.
- GnyanaPeetta Prof. C. Narayana Reddy
Karunasree is famous for his lucid, sweet style of expression. Udayasri is his magnum opus.
- Dr. Papineni Sivasankar, Sahitya Akademi Awardee
He created in Telugu poetry, a peculia style of his own, excusing classical splendor and lyrical sweetness. His works like Udayasri, Vijaytasri and Karunasri are monumental contributions to Telugu Literature.
- KalaPrapurna Madhunapantula Satya Narayana Sastry
The poems of Udayasri will live in Telugu Literature as long as Telugu is spoken in this land, and as long as Krishna, Godavari, Tungabadra and Suvarnamukhi rivers flow in this land.
- Dr. Nanduri Rama Krishnamacharyulu
Karunasri is the only poet who reflects the pulse of the Telugu people in his poetry after the great Bammera Potana.
- Prf. B. Rama Raju
To tell in a nutshell karunasri is the twilight ray of romantic poetry. He is emperor of sweet words that dance on the lips of the andhra people. He is a classical genius who showed that poetry springs from the union of music and literature.
- Guntur Seshendra Sharma
The Poetical works of karunasri were not written by mere words but by poetry itself. They are an index of turmoil of man.
- Dr. Sanjiva Dev
Among contemporary poets Dr. Karunasri belongs to top rank. His poetry reflects the compassion of buddhism and self enlightenment.
- Prof. S. V. Joga Rao
His contemplative poetry is enchant and enticing. - Prof. T. Donappa The wonderful pen of Karunasri is dipped in ambrosia.
- Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Padmasri Dr. N.T. Rama Rao
The poetry of Dr.Karunasri is as heart moving as the melodious rendering of his songs by Ghantasala, the Ghandarva Gayaka.
- Padama Bhushana Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao
The very fact that I have named my daughters as Vijayasri and Udayasri reveals the deep impression of his works on me.
- Dr. Gummadi Venkateswara Rao Simplicity, Tenderness and Pleasantness are the natural ornaments of his poetry
- Dr. Devula Palli Ramanuja Rao
He is an emperor among modern andhra poets. His works are musical.
- Dr. Utukuri Lakshmi Kantamma
The Golden jubilee of Udayasri is a golden chapter in Telugu literature. He has illuminated the Telugu poetical world with his poetical rays.
- Dr. Prasada Raya Kulapati
His Udayasri is a pole star of his inimitable style in the modern Telugu poetry.
- Dr. Amarendra
In this age the 50th reprint of his Udayasri can gauge where the novel is reigning the glamour of his poetry.
- Dr. S. V. Bhujangaraya Sarma