Jandhyala Papayya Sastry

Karunasri's poetry focused on themes of human experience and social issues. His works Udayasri, Vijayasri and Karunasri went through multiple reprints and became among his best-known literary publications. Karunasri described Udayasri, Vijayasri and Karunasri respectively as representing his emotions, intellect and life experiences. “Udayasri” takes us from darkness to twilight; “Vijayasri” from twilight to light; and “Karunasri” from light to delight – The bliss of god. Karunasri is a combination of tradition and modernity, spirituality and social awareness.

• Name — Jandhyala Papayya Sastry • Born — 4 August 1912 • Birthplace — Kommuru village, Guntur district, India • Occupation — Lecturer • Genre — Writer, poet • Notable Works — Pushpa Vilapam, Kunthi Kumari • Spouse — Anasuyamma • Children — 2 sons and 1 daughter • Awards — Honorary doctorate from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati

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

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

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.

"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 "According to Dr. Prasada Raya Kulapati, Udayasri is considered a notable work in 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