Kodavatiganti Kutumbarao
Encyclopedia
Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao B.Sc. (Telugu
: కొడవటిగంటి కుటుంబరావు) (October 28, 1909 – August 17, 1980), also known as Ko Ku, was an exponent of the Telugu
literature in the 20th century. He believed that literature which criticizes and enriches human life and ultimately reforms the human thought of its time is the only relevant form of literature
.
, Guntur district
. His schooling until 1925 was in Tenali. He lost both his parents early: his father in 1914 and his mother in 1920, and grew up with his uncle. He was very familiar with village life.
His elder brother Venkatasubbiah (out of touch since 1921) was a poet-writer and Ko Ku was introduced to the literary community early through him. He was introduced to western literature too during this time. His early experiments, at the age of thirteen, included an unfinished thriller and poetry, which he would soon abandon. He married eleven-year-old Padmavathy in 1925, before he graduated from high school.
After Intermediate education (1925 to 1927) at A C college
, Guntur
, he studied for Bachelors Physics at Vijayanagaram Maharajah college. He started his serious attempts in writing during this time. Towards the end of his undergraduate education, he also became an atheist. He went to the Benaras Hindu University for his Masters in Physics. During this time, he published his first works: an essay called Cinema (1930) in the oriental weekly and Pranadhikam (1931), which won him the first prize in Gruhalakshmi. His masters was cut short in the second year due to the economic depression.
Later, he worked in several places from Simla
to Bombay to Madras, in such positions as a clerk, teacher, factory foreman and a film writer (including music direction for a film), before settling down in the field of journalism. After a stint in some papers, a few of which he founded himself, he was with Chandamama
, a popular children's magazine, as its editor in 1952 until he died in 1980.
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
: కొడవటిగంటి కుటుంబరావు) (October 28, 1909 – August 17, 1980), also known as Ko Ku, was an exponent of the Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
literature in the 20th century. He believed that literature which criticizes and enriches human life and ultimately reforms the human thought of its time is the only relevant form of literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
.
Life
Ko Ku was born in to a middle class family in TenaliTenali
Tenali , is a town and a mandal in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It has a population of 149,839 . It is located 16 miles east of Guntur City. Three canals of the Krishna River flow through Tenali making it a part of the rice bowl of Andhra Pradesh. One of the canals is...
, Guntur district
Guntur
Guntur , is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located to the north and west of the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately to the south of the national capital, New Delhi and south east of state capital, Hyderabad. Guntur is the fourth largest city in Andhra...
. His schooling until 1925 was in Tenali. He lost both his parents early: his father in 1914 and his mother in 1920, and grew up with his uncle. He was very familiar with village life.
His elder brother Venkatasubbiah (out of touch since 1921) was a poet-writer and Ko Ku was introduced to the literary community early through him. He was introduced to western literature too during this time. His early experiments, at the age of thirteen, included an unfinished thriller and poetry, which he would soon abandon. He married eleven-year-old Padmavathy in 1925, before he graduated from high school.
After Intermediate education (1925 to 1927) at A C college
Andhra-Christian College
Andhra-Christian College, popularly known as AC College, is one of the oldest colleges in India. AC College is part of the educational enterprise of the Protestant churches...
, Guntur
Guntur
Guntur , is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located to the north and west of the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately to the south of the national capital, New Delhi and south east of state capital, Hyderabad. Guntur is the fourth largest city in Andhra...
, he studied for Bachelors Physics at Vijayanagaram Maharajah college. He started his serious attempts in writing during this time. Towards the end of his undergraduate education, he also became an atheist. He went to the Benaras Hindu University for his Masters in Physics. During this time, he published his first works: an essay called Cinema (1930) in the oriental weekly and Pranadhikam (1931), which won him the first prize in Gruhalakshmi. His masters was cut short in the second year due to the economic depression.
Later, he worked in several places from Simla
Shimla
Shimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
to Bombay to Madras, in such positions as a clerk, teacher, factory foreman and a film writer (including music direction for a film), before settling down in the field of journalism. After a stint in some papers, a few of which he founded himself, he was with Chandamama
Chandamama
Chandamama in Kannada and Telugu means moon. It may refer to:* Chandamama, an Indian monthly magazine focused on kids and youngsters* Chandamama , a Malayalam film starring Kunchacko Boban...
, a popular children's magazine, as its editor in 1952 until he died in 1980.
Novels
- Varasatvam
- Aiswaryam
- Endamavulu
- Arunodayam
- Jeevitam
- Gaddu rojulu
- Anubhavam
- Savati talli
- Panchakalyani
- Anamika
- Aadajanma
- Neekem kavali
- Preminchina manishi
- Kuroopi
- Bedirina manushulu
- Bratuku bhayam
- Bakasura
- Graha shakalm
- Chaduvu
- Kulam leni manishi
- Saritadevi diary
- Saroja diary
- Kotha alludu
- Kotha kodalu
- Maaru perlu
- Taara
- Timingalam veta
- Maarina jeevitam
Short stories
- Kottha paddhatulu
- Peeda katha
- Niridyogam
- Adde kompa
- Daivadheenapu jeevitham
- Kalisi ravali
- Attadugu
- Sadyogam
- Nuvvulu - Telakapindi
- Ashtakashtalu
- Udyogam
- Nirudyogam
- Manamu memu
- Manushulaku gala swetcha
- Shavukaru Subbaiah
- Paiki vacchina vadu
- Daliguntalo kukkalu
- Seela pariseelana
- Parisodhana buddhi
- Bahukudu
- Panakam lo peechu
- Kottha jeevitham
Quotes
- The 'attempts' to save people from literature, literature from politics and politics from people amuse me much
- It is foolish to say that only the politicians, but not the artists, have the right to express themselves clear opinions on dictators, unemployment, lock-outs, wars, etc. Exploitation-mongers encourage such stupidity
- That which cannot reveal the secrets of nature is no science; that which cannot alleviate the drudgery of life is no 'invention'; that which cannot illuminate every nook and corner of life is no literature
- We need to create our literature for our own times … Fixation to the literary standards of the bygone ages is nothing but deceit