The Mahakavi is back. Thanks to 150 birth anniversary celebrations of Gurajada Appa Rao now being organized, across the State, the book worms are seen looking for his works at the ongoing Vijayawada Book Festival here.
Publishers and sellers have come out with the latest prints of Gurajada’s works. The complete works of Gurajada, his life sketch, essays by eminent personalities on Gurajada are some of the attractions at the book festival.
‘Gurajadalu’, a book along with a CD, priced at Rs.375 is available at Rishi Prachuranulu (stall no.175). A book titled ‘Gurajada moodu yabhaila pratyeka sanchika’. ‘Maha Gurajada’, a book of essays written by Sri Sri is another title available at the fair.
The Kanyasulkam, most popular work of Gurajada, is available at Rs.80. The Telugu Academy has brought out four titles on the literary icon. Adhunika Dhrivatara (priced at Rs. 20), Balala Bommala Gurajada (Rs.105), Gurajada Sahitya Sarvasvam (Rs.360) and Margardarsi Gurajada, are some of the titles available. The last title is a compilation of essays written by eminent personalities like Arudra, Khandavalli Lakshmiranjanam, Rachamallu Ramachandra Reddy, Dasarathi Krishnamacharya etc.
Manasu Foundation took the painstaking efforts in compiling the complete works of Gurajada, recalls Swarna Venkatanarayana of Pallavi Publishers. The Foundation entrusted the task to Pennepalli Gopalakrishna and Dr. Kalidasu Purushottam. Gopalakrishna breathed his last even before the complete works saw the light.
Dr. Purushottam finished the half done job. M. V. Rayudu founder of the Manasu Foundation helped the literary lovers by funding the mission, and as a result the complete works were available at Rs.375 along with CD, he explains.
The people forgot the life history and works of the great poet though he became immortal with his books. Most of his works are almost on the verge of extinction. Some good effort has been made to publish his complete works, says SJL Narasimha Rao, a resident of Krishnalanka.
