Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu was the great Social Reformer from the state of Andhra Pradesh.
He was born on 16th of April, 1848 at Rajahmundry.
Andhra Desh and Andhra people could not be what they are if Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu had not arrived to vitalize them. He brought new vigor in Telugu Literature.
Sri Veeresalingam Pantulu was one of the earliest pioneers in South India to demand and work for dramatic changes in our society. Kandukuri Veeresalingam is the greatest Andhra of modern times. Like all pioneers who are ahead of their time, he suffered misunderstanding and persecution. We owe it to his memory to work for social regeneration even as he did, braving all ridicule and danger.
Literary Activities: He wrote the first novel in Telugu Rajasekhara Charitra. He was the first to render drama in Telugu. He was the first to write in prose for women. In fact he was the father of the renaissance movement in Andhra.
Education of Women: Veeresalingam took part in the controversy by championing women’s education. To propagate his views effectively Veeresalingam started his journal ‘Vivekavardhini’ in 1874 at Rajahmundry.
He also established schools for girls.
Widow Re-Marriages: Kandukuri Veeresalingam’s pioneering work in the emancipation of the Andhra widows overshadows his achievements in other branches of social reform.
Last Days: Kandukuri Veeresalingam lost his wife on 11 August 1910. Her death was a terrible blow to him. His enemies tried to defame him by spreading wild rumors and involved him in defamation cases. He came out of the cases unscathed, but lost the zest for life. He died on 27 May 1919 at Madras.
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