Telugu Brahmins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Telugu Brahmins are members of the Indian Brahmin caste whose native language is Telugu. Most of them hail from the region of Andhra Pradesh, located in South India. Telugu Brahmins are known for their accomplishments in religious, social, economic, cultural, and scientific endeavors, but have less presence in politics.

Contents

[edit] Legendary Origin

The earliest Brahmins who arrived in Andhra were most probably sage Viswamitra's students. The Satavahana dynasty, founded by Srimukha (221-198 BC), ruled for five centuries and extended over Andhra and central India supported Brahmins and Vedic traditions. One of the most important features of the Satavahana dynasty was granting land to Brahmins. Sangam era Chera, Chola and Pandya kings in the deep south also used to grant land to Brahmins.

Brahmin families in Andhra Pradesh have been making an impact in the state for centuries. The Brahmin migration to the South is featured in the legend of sage Agastya. The Vindhya mountain range in central India continued to grow in height, obstructed cloud movement causing drought. Sage Agastya decided to solve the problem and traveled south. The Vindhya mountain bowed to Agastya and the sage requested Vindhya to stay prostrated until he returns. Vindhya complied with this request and sage Agastya never returned to the north.

[edit] Groups

Most of the Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh belong to the Smarta Brahmin group, i.e., the followers of smritis and followers of Adi Sankaracharya. The Smarta Brahmins follow Apastamba Smriti or Apastamba Sutra not the Manusmriti. Apastamba was one of the earliest lawmakers of south India who lived on the banks of the River Godavari. Boudhayana, Parasara, Yajnvalkya sutras and other laws were also important in the courts of Srikrishnadevaraya. Smartha Brahmins are worshippers of Lord Shiva and various other Acharyas who have contributed to the spread of the faith. The Smaarta Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh can be grouped into two major divisions formed about 700-1000 years ago (most probably during Kakatiya dynasty rule), The Vaidiki and Niyogi. There third largest brahmin community are Dravidlu mostly found near Godavari region. Other important groups that eventually got absorbed into Telugu Brahmins from neighboring states of Tamilnadu and Karnataka include followers of Sri Vaishnavism who follow Vishishtadvaita espoused by the saint Ramanujacharya, and Madhwas who follow Dvaita espoused by the saint Madhwacharya.

[edit] Telugu Brahmin Kingdoms

[edit] Zamindars

Pennanda Agraharam,Sriragam Nallam Chakravarthi Clan.

  • Karivena Agraharam, Controlled by Bhirava Joshla family
  • Polavaram. Polavaram was ruled by Koccharlakota family.
  • Lakkavaram. Ruled by the Mantripregada family.
  • Aska Tripasuri/Tripasuru Family
  • Gajjaram Estate and Divi Taluk ( until late 19th century) -Kandregula family
  • Chilakaluripeta- Manur Rao/Rajamanuri family
  • Sangam Taluk/Warangal Dist - Kotwal family ( until Zamindar system abolished)
  • Nedunuri Family -Ruled the coastal Andhra specifically the Konaseema Region


Leaders

  • Tatacharyulu (Trusted Mentor to Sri Krishna Deva Raya)
  • Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1st vice-president and 2nd president of India - 1st recipient of Bharat Ratna)
  • Varahagiri Venkatagiri (former president of India)
  • Sri P.V.Narasimha Rao(former PM of India)
  • Raya Mantri
  • Akanna & Madanana (in the court of Tanisha Nawab)
  • Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya (1861-1962A.D.) (former Prime Minister of Mysore)
  • Andhra-Kesari T.Praksham Pantulu (former Chief minister)
  • Ayyadevara Kaleshwara Rao (First Speaker of A.P. Assembly)
  • Kanuri Laxmana Rao(K.L.Rao) parlamentarian and the chief mentor of Nagarjuna Sagar
  • Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao (Amrutanjanam )
  • Bogaraju Pattabhisitaramamya (Founder Andhra Bank)

Politicians

  • "Andhra Kesari" Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu garu
  • Late Sri P V Narasimha Rao(Former Prime Minister of India)
  • Late Sri Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan(Former President of India)
  • Dr. Mallavarapu Krishna Rao Minister in Combined Madras State and also worked for Harijan upliftment
  • Pillalamarri Venkateswarlu (Late Freedom Fighter, Ex-MLA, and Communist Party Leader)
  • Maharshi Bulusu sambamurty (Prominent congress leader)
  • Monsieur Bouloussou Soubramaniam Sastroulou, (Former Conseiller Municipal De Yanaon, Former Jury De Yanaon, Former Diwan of Manyam Zamindar of French Yanam)
  • (Varahagiri Venkata) V V Giri (Former President)
  • Tenneti Viswanadham (Freedom Fighter, former law, endowments, and revenue minister)
  • Dronamraju Satyanarayana
  • Kala Venkata Rao (Former Minister, MLA of Madras Presidency, Madras General, Finance Minister of Andhra, Ex-Vice President of APCC)
  • P V Ranga Rao (Son of P V Narasimha Rao) ( Former Minister ).
  • Undavalli Aruna Kumar (Member of Parliament from Rajahmundry)
  • Jairam Ramesh (Member of Rajya Sabha)
  • Sripada Rao (former Speaker of A.P assembly)
  • Malladi Vishnu (Chairman, Vijawada Urban development Authority)
  • Samudrala Venu Gopalachary(Ex-M.P.)
  • D.Sridhar babu (MLA) from Manthani
  • Capt.Vodithala Lakshmikantha Rao(MLA) from Huzurabad.
  • Dronamraju Srinivas (MLA from Vishakapatnam-2)
  • P.V.Rajeshwara Rao (ex MP-secunderabad)
  • D V Subba Rao ( EX Mayor Vizag)
  • V Rama Rao ( Sikkim Governor) - BJP Leader
  • G Rudramaraju Congress
  • V Sivaramakrishna Rao ( EX MLA Cuddapa dist)
  • Jandyala Shankar - Ex Mayor Vijaywada
  • Vodithala Rajeswara Rao - EX-MP
  • Karnam Ramchandera Rao - Ex-Minsiter TDP ( Medak Constituency )
  • Sitaram Yechuri(CPI(M) Polit Bureau member)

Literature Classical

  • Nannayya
  • Tikkana SomayajiTikkana
  • Errana or Yerrapragada
  • Pottanna
  • Srinatha Pandita (Kavisarvabhoma)
  • Allasani Peddana Amatya
  • Paravastu Chinnaya Suri ( Panchatanatram )
  • Narayanabhatta
  • Challapilla Venkata Sastry (1870-1950)
  • Divakarla Tirupati Sastry (1872-1919)
  • Pingali Suranna ( KALAPURNODAYAM )
  • Pingali Lakshmikantamu (Literature, Artist)
  • Panuganti Lakshmi Narasimham ( Creator of Janghala Sastry; SAAKSHI Articles )
  • Chilakamarthi Lakshminarasimham
  • Balijepalli Lakshmikantam ( Satya Harischandra Play )
  • Veturi Prabhakarasastri (1880-1950)
  • Rayaprolu Subbarao (writer of "Edesamegina Emdukaalidina")
  • Garimella Satyanarayana
  • Mallampalli Somasekharasharma (1891-1963)
  • Viswanadha Satyanarayana (1895-1976)
  • Devulapalli Krishna Sastry
  • Sankarambadi Sundaracharya (Poet who wrote MAA TELUGU TALLIKI MALLEPU DANDA)
  • Mutnuru Krishna Rao
  • Adibhatla Narayana Dasu
  • Dasaradhi Krishnamacharylu
  • Karunasri (Jandhyala Papaya Sastry )
  • Madhunapantula Satyanarayana Sastry
  • Diwakarla Venkata Avadhani
  • Gurajada Appa Rao (writer of "KANYASULAKAM" and one of the administrators under the Vijayanagaram kingdom)
  • Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu (Creator of "Kashee Majilee Kathalu" series of fiction-based-moral-stories)

Modern

  • Sri Kandula Mallikarjuna Rao( Outstanding Music Composer )
  • Arudra (Bhagavatula ShankarSatry } (Samagra Andhra Shityam Twameham etc.
  • SRI SRI. ( Srirangam SrinivasaRao, Originally Poodipeddi, his father was given in adoption to Srirngam Family) Maha Prasthavanam
  • Jallepalli Hanumantha Rao.
  • Poodipeddi Sambasiva Rao. Commentary on 'Vemana'
  • Ganti Krishnavenamma (1910-96)
  • Kavyakantha Ganapathi Muni
  • Bulusu Venkateswarlu
  • Abburi Varada Rajeswara Rao
  • Abburi Chaaya Devi
  • Turlapati Kutumba Rao
  • Madugula Naga Phani Sharma (Pancha Sahasra Astavadhani)
  • Garikapati Narasimha Rao (Maha Sahasra Avadhani), Sahiti Puraskar
  • Dr. Dwana Sastry
  • Kappagantula Lakshmana Shastry (A renowned sanskrit scholar who verbatim translated Vyasa Mahabharatam into telugu )
  • Kappagantula Mallikarjuna Rao (A prolific writer)
  • Kappagantula Venkata Krishna Murthy ( International Bridge Player-often referred to as "Master" by his play mates and friends)
  • Tirumala Ramachandra ( A great scholar in prakrit litrature and a prolific writer, freedom fighter)
  • Mocherla Ramakrishnaiah(A poet,scholar of repute in Sanskrit & Telugu, hailing from Nellore.Amrutha kalasam was one of his many works. Translated Abhignana Sakuntalam of kalidasa into Telugu)
  • Bhattam Sri Rama Murthy
  • Komanduri Kodandam Ramanuja Charyulu (A Banker,Scholar who translated J Krishnamurthi's teaching from English to Telugu)
  • Bhamidipati Rama GopalamThe above is not an exhaustive list. The number of Brahmins who contributed to Classical Telugu literature actually runs into hundreds. It is not possible to list all of them.

Arts

  • Tyagaraja (carnatic music)
  • Syama Sastry
  • Tallapaka Annamacharya (widely known as Pada Kavitha Pithamaha)
  • Bhadradri Ramadasu
  • Sidhendra Yogi (Father of Kuchipudi dance style)
  • Sripada Pinakapani (Sangita Kalanidhi and guru of Voleti Venkateswarlu, Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, Nedanuri Krishnamurti)
  • Tanguturi Suryakumari ( Niece Of Tanguturi Prakasam pantulu & first Miss Andhra )
  • Emani Sankara Sastry (Veena)
  • Devulapalli Krishna Shastri
  • Chitti Babu
  • Srirangam Gopalratnam
  • Nookala China Satyanarayana
  • Balantrapu Rajanikata Rao
  • Mangalampalli Bala Murali Krishna
  • Nedunuri Krishna Murthy (Carnatic Vocalist)
  • Malladi Brothers (Carnatic Vocalists)
  • Garimella Balakrishna Prasad (Special Grade Vocal Artiste in Annamacharya Project, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams)
  • Vedavathi Prabhakar
  • Vijaylakshmi Sarma
  • S.P.Balasubrahmaniam
  • S.P.Sailaja
  • Suseela(Playback singer)
  • Ramakrishna(Playback singer)
  • Komanduri Anantha Charyulu
  • Komanduri Seshadri (Former Principal Goverment Music College)
  • Vemapati China Satyam-Kuchipudi
  • Vempati Venkateswara Rao -Natakaratna

Administrators

  • GVG krishnamurty (Former Chief election commissioner)
  • General K V Krishna Rao (former governor of Jammu & Kashmir)
  • K J Rao (Kommajosyula Jagannatha Rao - Hero of Bihar elections)
  • Mohan Kanda ( Former Chief Secretary of AP Govt)
  • K S Sarma (CEO PRASAR BARATI)
  • S Ramachandra Rao (Ex Advocate Gerneral)
  • Justice Y Bhaskar Rao NHRC Chairman( Ex cheif justice of karnataka )
  • P G Sastry (Chairman of Environmental Clearance Board)
  • Prof.M.V.Ramasarma(Former Vicechancellor of Venkateswara University,Tirupathi)
  • Prof. Rallapalli Ramamurthi (Former Vice Chancellor, Sri Venkateswara Univerisity, Tirupati & President Elect, Indian Science Congress Association-2008)
  • Kota Harinarayana(Vice Chancellor Hyderabad Central University)
  • K RajaGopal(Vice Chancellor JNTU, Hyderabad)
  • P.V.R.K. Prasad (former TTD Executive Officer and Former Chief Secretary of AP Govt)
  • Sri M.V. Narayana Rao(former DGP of Andhra pradesh, former principal secretary to the govt. of AP, former IB chief)
  • U. Sethumadhavarao (Eminent Judge)
  • Jhandyala Harinarayana( Chief Secretary, Government of AP)

Journalists

  • Viswadaata, Desoddharaka Kasinathuni Nageswara rao (Famous journalist of early twentieth century and Father of the library movement in Andhra.
  • P. Sainath (an award winning Indian development journalist - also Grand Son of Sri V V Giri, former President of India)
  • Potturi Venkateswara Rao
  • Varavara Rao
  • Uma Pemmaraju

Awards Bharat Ratna:

  • Varahagiri Venkata Giri (Former President)
  • Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (Former President)
  • Dr Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya (eminent Indian engineer and statesman)

Padmashree:

  • Valluri Sita Rama Rao (Former Director, National Aeronautical Laboratories, Bangalore)
  • Vempati Chinna Satyam (Doyen of Kuchipudi Dance),
  • Dattaguru Bhagavatula (Professor-IISC, Bangalore),
  • Sripathi Panditharadhyula Balasubrahmanyam - SPB (2001)
  • Paranandi Suryanarayana Rao. Head of Computers TIFR
  • Kasinadhuni Viswanath
  • Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao
  • Dr. Banumathi Ramakrishna - 1969 Banumathi
  • Dr. Kota Harinarayana
  • Guru Jayaram Rao [Kuchipudi Dance]

Padma Bhushan:

  • Mulukutla Ramabrahmam (Former Chairman Indian Oil Corporation, Founding Chairman Madras Refineries and eminent Civil Engineer)
  • Dr. Banumathi Ramakrishna - 2003 Banumathi
  • Devulapalli Krishnasastri
  • Viswanatha Satyanarayana
  • P Venugopal (first heart transplation in India), Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS)

Padma Vibhushan:

  • Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna

Jnanpith Award:

  • Viswanatha Satyanarayana - 1970 (for Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu (A resourceful tree:Ramayana))

Entertaintment Industry Directors

  • Ghantasala Balaramayya
  • Vedantam Raghavayya
  • Adurthi Subba Rao
  • Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
  • Bapu (Sathiraju Lakshmi Narayana)
  • Kasinathuni Vishwanath
  • Jandhyala
  • Trivikram Srinivas (Chirunavvutho fame, ATHADU)
  • Adurthi Sai Bhaskar
  • Ayyappa Sarma( Hero Sai Kumar's Brother )
  • Dasarath(Santosham fame)

Producer

  • Paluvai Rama Krishna ( Bharani Studios; Bhanumathis' Husband )
  • Mukkamala Yogananda Sharma
  • C Kausalendra Rao

Lyricist

  • Samudrala Raaghavacharylu ( Samudrala Sr. )
  • Malladi Rama Krishna Sastry
  • Samudrala Ramanujacharylu ( Samudrala Jr. )
  • Atreya ( Kilambi Venkata Narasimhacharylu )
  • Dasarathi Krishnamachaaryulu
  • Arudra
  • Veturi Sundararama Murthy
  • Sirivennala Seetarama Sastri
  • Bhuvana Chandra
  • Vennalakanti
  • Shashank Vennalakanti
  • Kula Shekar
  • Bhaskarabhatla
  • ImamActors
  • Addanki Sree Rama Murthy
  • Chitturu Nagayya
  • T L Kanta Rao
  • Dhulipala Seetharama Shastri
  • Mukkamala
  • Nagabhushanam
  • Padmanabham
  • Raavi Kondala Rao
  • Rammohan
  • Chandra Mohan
  • Rajababu
  • Jonnalagadda V Somayajulu
  • J.V.Ramanamurthy
  • P.J Sharma
  • Sutti Velu
  • Sutti Veerabhadra Rao
  • Gollapudi Maruthi Rao
  • Rallapalli
  • Suman
  • Kota Srinivasa Rao
  • Kota Sankara Rao
  • Subhalekha Sudhakar
  • Ananth
  • Chittibabu
  • Dharmavarapu Subramanyam
  • Subbaraya Sarma
  • Sai Kumar
  • Tanikella Bharani
  • J.D.Chakravarthy
  • L B Sreeram
  • Uday Kiran
  • Saikiran (Nuvve Kavali fame)
  • Raja (Anand fame)
  • Baladitya
  • Pradeep (TV Actor - Chanakya Serial fame)
  • PL Narayana Rao
  • Nutan Prasad
  • Kamabari Kiran Kumar
  • Swargeeya (Late) Gunupudi Vishwanatha Shastri(Iron Leg Shastri)

Actress

  • Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
  • Suryakantham
  • Showkar Janaki
  • Krishna Kumari
  • Radha Kumari ( W/O of Ravi Kondala Rao )
  • Jamuna
  • Roja Ramani
  • Lakshmi
  • Purnima ( Srivariki Premalekha fame)
  • Laya
  • Vedha shastry ( Nuvu Vasthanente nenu vadhantana Fame and Nenu Fame )

Music Directors

  • Saluri Rajeswara Rao
  • Pendyala Nageswara Rao
  • Susarla Dakshina Murthy
  • Saluri Koteswara Rao ( Koti )
  • Madhavapeddi Suesh
  • Mani Sarma
  • Upadrashta Vidyasagar ( Chandramukhi, Bangaram fame )
  • Ghantasala Venkateshwara Rao
  • S.P.Kodandapani

Singer

  • Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao
  • P Suseela
  • P.B Sreenivas
  • Madhavapeddi Satyam
  • S.Janaki
  • Sripati P Balasubramanyam (SPB)
  • Vaddiraju Ramakrishna
  • SP Sailaja
  • Madhavapeddi Ramesh
  • Usha
  • Suneetha Upadrashta
  • Nitya Santoshini
  • Vijaya Lakshmi - Guinnes record holder
  • NC Karunya (Indian Idol Fame)
  • Hema Chandra (Upcoming Singer-Cousin of Karunya)

Writers

  • Maruduri(M)
  • V S Harinadha Rao
  • Maruduri Raja
  • Isukapalli Mohana Rao
  • V S Kameswara Rao
  • Jandyala
  • Janardhan Maharshi
  • Sankaramanchi
  • Mullapudi Venkata Ramana
  • Ponduri (Tamil cine writer)

Writer

  • Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao
  • Mokkapati Narasimha Sastry ( Barister Parvatisam )
  • Nori Narasimha Sastry
  • Gudipati Venkta Chalam
  • Ushasri ( Puranapanda Suraynarayana Deekshitulu )
  • Bhagavatula Siva Sankara Sastry (Known by his alias "Arudra")
  • Rachakonda Viswanatha Sastry ( RAAVI Sastry )
  • Kodavaganti Kutumba Rao
  • Kommuri Samba Siva Rao ( Creator of Detective Yugandhar )
  • Dasaradhi Rangachaaryulu
  • Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani(Novelist)
  • Indraganti Srikantha Sarma
  • Indraganti Janakibala
  • Kommuri Venu Gopala Rao
  • Akella
  • "Ambadipudi vaari rachanalu" - From vijayawada, famous with surname AMBADIPUDI

Social Reformers/Freedom fighters/Revolutionists

  • Kandukuri Veerasalingam Pantulu
  • Gurazada Appa Rao
  • Unnava Lakshminarayana
  • Unnava Lakshmibai Amma
  • Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya (1889-1928)
  • Durgabai Deshmukh
  • Sarojini Naidu
  • Vara Vara Rao
  • Kannabiran
  • Rama Krishna (Akkiraju Hara Gopal)
  • Adibhatla Kailasam

Others

  • Pillutla Viswanath, Cofounder- TIME institute( Mgt.Coaching Instiute In Hyderabad),
  • V. Panduranga (founding Director,ICFAI University)
  • Chukka Ramayya (IIT Guru)
  • Jiddu Krishnamurti - one of the most important spiritual philosophers of the 20th century
  • Madugula Naga Phani Sharma - Astavadhani.
  • Kala Krishna - Renowned Dancer.
  • Master John Vonaika & Sri Sri Harsha Jujjavarapu : Indian freedom fighters for an independent Andhra Pradesh; Dual-Degree Students, Wharton School.
  • Boorugula Rama Krishna Rao
  • Vasiraju Prakasam(Writer)
  • P Venugopal (first heart transplation in India)
  • V V S Laxman (Cricketer)
  • Dokka Sita Ammagaru (Apara Annapurna)
  • Prof.Madhunapantula Suryanarayana Murty ( Eminent Applied mathematician) (Prof.M.S.N.Murty)
  • Dr. Yellapragada Subba Rao (Miracle Drugs)
  • Dr.Ayyagari Sambasiva Rao (Scientist And Founder Electronics Corp Of India Limited)
  • Malladi Chandra Shekara Shastri
  • Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy (Novelist)
  • Narayanabhatta Seetha Rama Sastry (Harikatha)
  • Kannepalli Subrahmanyam (Harikatha, Drama)
  • Potturi Venkateswara Rao ( Famous writer and former editor of Andhra Jyothi)
  • U.G. Krishnamurti - a well known modern philosopher
  • Chaganti Somayajulu (short story writer)
  • Kalipatnam Ramarao (Writer)
  • Maturi Venkata Subba Rao ( after whom MVSR engineering college is named).
  • Maturi Venkata Sridhar (Former ranji Cricketer)
  • Viswanadham Sundara Sivarama Sarma (First Chartered Accountant in Andhra, Madras Presidency)
  • Venkatakrishna Kunduru ( Advocate)
  • Gen K .V Krishna Rao ( ex Governer Jamu-kasmir)
  • K L Rao ( Scientist & Ex MP)
  • Dr. Kalluri Lakshmipathi Dutt (Animal Husbandry Department)
  • Rayaprolu subba Rao
  • Callore Subba Rao
  • Gazal Srinivas
  • Vemuri Kameshwara Rao(Builder and Contractor)
  • Vemuri Purnachander Rao( Chandra & Co.)
  • Dr. Nori(famous doctor in USA)
  • Jayanthi Dharmateja(Shipping Corporation)
  • K Nageshwara rao( Amrutanjan Pain Balm)
  • Prof. N.V. Subrahmanyam (Eminent Mathematician)

Industries

Koutha Lalitha Manohar - Kouth Industries.

Malladi Durgs & Chemicals.

Mithra Agencies - Vijayawada.

Agri Gold.

Jayanthi tours and travels.

Jayanthi Shipping Corporation(Now Shipping Corporation).

Amrutanjan Limited.

SRMT


Educational Institutions

  • Maturi Venkata Subba Rao Engineering College - (MVSR), Nadergul, Hyderabad.
  • Gayatri Vidya Parishad (GVPE) college of Engineering, Vishakapatnam.
  • Sri Venkateswara Hindu College of Engineering, Machilipatnam (SVHCE)
  • Hindu College Trust Guntur (Owns a lot of Educational Institutions in Andhra Pradesh)
  • CSR Sarma College
  • C V N Dhan
  • IIT Ramaya garu
  • Krishna Murthy( Mega Study Circle- Famous for IIT coaching)
  • T.I.M.E institute(Triumphant institute of management education, Management Coaching Institute based in Hyderabad having centers across the country).
  • Kamala Institute of Technology and Science Huzurabad,Karimnagar

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References