Nanduri Subbarao in his own words on Yenki pATalu -#1
PALANA
A couple of weeks ago I posted a small review on a recent audio recording
of Nanduri's Yenki Patalu (by Kiravani). In reply to my question, Sri Veluri
gAru mentioned some interesting facts on the earlier singers who sang these
songs and those recordings. Sri Veluri gAru also mentioned about Nanduri
Parthasarathi who used to sing his dad's yenki pATalu so nicely. Rajani also
used to sing these Yenki pATalu. From 1938-1941, at Andhra Universtiy, the
gang was really in love with Yenki Patalu. Later, Rajani and Janamanci, from
that batch moved on and settled in AIR. Unfortunately Sri Janamanci
Ramakrishna is no more. But Sri Rajanikanta Rao is the only source to know
more about these recordings or earlier singers who sang these songs (whom I
can get in touch with).
Then I looked for my books on Yenki pATalu and I should have an older copy
(with drawings of Adivi Bapiraju). I finally laid my hands on the book.
I read the prefaces by Naduri for both the editions (1925 and 1952).
These prefaces present a great deal of history behind these enchanting Yenki
Patalu. I would like to present here most of Nanduri's words (in Telugu as in
Prefaces) in English.
---pAlana
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Nanduri Subbarao in his own words on Yenki pATalu -#1
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Preface for 1925 Edition
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Nanduri Subbarao started writing these songs while he was preparing for
the final BA examinations (1917-1918 at Madras Christian College). Nanduri
(as he stated "fortunately"), then, made friendship with Sri Adhikarla
Suryanarayana Rao and then both became room mates. Nanduri Subbarao was
acquainted with Sri Basavaraju Apparao, who used to teach (train) Nanduri
various literary aspects long ago and Sri Basavaraju used to live in Madras
those days. Sri Patibandla Apparao used to join them to chat. Nanduri used to
get surprised at (sitting in a corner) each praising his own (bragging)
writings.
While returning from the college in the tram, Nanduri started humming
a fine tune. Nanduri searched for words in order to sing that song in
himself. It seemed so familiar to him that he immediately came up with a line
"gunDe gontukalOna koTlADatAdi" (the heart flutters in the throat). Upon
reaching his house and memorizing that line, Nanduri Subbarao, finished his
first song (gunDe gontukalOna koTlADutAdI, kUkunDa nIdurA kUsinta sEpu -
muddula nA yenki).
Nanduri, with hesitation, read those songs in front of Basavaraju
Apparao and Suryanarayana. Immediately Suryanarayana (Nanduri, it seemed,
called him "jAnakIpati") encouraged him to continue writing. Basavaraju
Apparao, as opposed, told Nanduri that it was not his natural style (of
language) and Nanduri could not search for truth with this style of language
that Nanduri was using in his songs. In other words, Basavaraju Apparao,
discouraged Nanduri Subbarao.
Nanduri cashed on Surayanarayana's encouragement. He himself expressed
that the moment he was inspired by Suryanarayana, he did not stop thinking
of Yenki poetry. Suryanarayana was more determined in his opinions about
Nanduri's poetry. Basavaraju Apparao gradually became mellow, changed his
opinion, and started encouraging Nanduri.
"To whom I should be grateful? Should I be grateful to Yenki who was
my gifted inspirer for the spontaneous sprouting of these songs in me? Should
I be grateful to Sri Adhikarla Suryanarayana who encouraged me to continue
writing these songs? Should I be grateful to our Basavaraju Apparaya who
taught me the 50 essential secrets of poetry? I should be grateful to all the
three!" Nanduri said.
Well-wishers several encouraged Nanduri. Sri Desoddharaka Kasinadhuni
Nageswararao pantulu garu rendered Yenki songs and primarily he was
responsible for publishing those in Bharati and Andhra Patrika, and
advertised the Yenki Patalu book in his journals without any cost. Nanduri
said that he was indebted to Sri Desoddharaka Kasinadhuni Nageswararao
Pantulu.
Jamindar of Nuziveedu, Sri Venkatadri Apparao Rajabahdur was poet himself
who used to enjoy listening to Yenki pATalu. Sri Venkatadri Apparao Raja
helped Sri Nanduri Subbarao in many ways. Sri Nanduri wrote half his Yenki
songs during his acquaintance with him. Nanduri extended his heart-felt
gratitude to Sri Venkatadri Apparao Raja.
Sri Kolavennu Ramakoteswararao also encouraged Nanduri in his project.
One of the great painters of Andhra, Sri Adivi Bapiraju, drew the pictures
for this issue. Nanduri said that if his Yenki would be responsible for those
great feelings (in the readers' hearts) that Bapiraju's paintings generate,
he would be the most fortunate.
The society of Madras Andhra Scholars (maDrAsu Andhra panDita manDali)
invited him specially and felicitated him. From that day onwards, Sri Nanduri
was not scared of them but had developed respects towards them.
The Orthodox Telugu Scholar, Sri Panchagnula Adinarayana Sastri used to
jump up high if he would listen to the word "Yenki". That much he used to
like Yenki pATalu. He never treated Yenki pATalu down to inferior even though
he was a real Telugu scholar. Naduri paid his respects to Sri Pancagnula and
Sri Pokkuluri Lakshminarayana (who was also one of his well-wishers).
One of the most famous Telugu singers, Sri Vidvan Parupalli Ramkrushnayya
toiled and set nice tunes to Yenki pATalu for the first time. Nanduri always
used to sing his Yenki Patalu in the same tunes as set by Sri Vidvan
Parupalli Ramakrushnayya (telugu dESamlO pErondina mETi gAyakulu mahArAjaSrI
pArupalli rAmakRshNayya gAru entO SramapaDi SraddhatO yI pATalaku svaram
cESAru. vAriki nA namaskAramulu. adE nEnu pADE vidhamu). That was great.
As Sri Veluri Venkateswararao gAru wrote in his message, Nanduri himself
wrote that he used to sing his own songs.
Sri Ganti Suryanarayana took the initiative to publish the Yenki songs
for which Sri Nanduri was eternally grateful to Sri Ganti, a Grammarian and
Logician.
Sri Nanduri Subbarao dedicated his songs to his cousin (pettalli kumAruDu)
Sri Bhavaraju Venkata Subbarao. Sri Nanduri's father passed away when Nanduri
was 4 years old and immediatedly Sri Bhavaraju Subbarao took care of the
entire family. These Yenki Patalu were dedicated to Sri Bhavaraju by Nanduri
for the magnanimity.
--based on Original Preface
for Yenki Patalu
--pAlana By Sri Nanduri Subbarao
(English) (Madras; 29-8-1925)
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Opinions are mine only
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To be contd...............
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Sincere Thanks to Srinivas Paruchuri and Sri Veluri V. Rao who
indirectly encouraged me to put this in the form of a package.
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