Kanuparthi Varalakshmamma (Telugu: కనుపర్తి వరలక్ష్మమ్మ) (1886–1978) is activist of Indian Freedom Movement from Andhra Pradesh.
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Varalakshmamma was born to her parents, Palaparthi Seshayya and Hanumayamma on October 6, 1886, one of seven boys and three girls. She was married to Kanuparthi Hanumantha Rao in 1909. Her husband supported in her activities wholeheartedly, as stated by of Varalakshmamma by Polapragada Rajyalakshmi in her Biography of Kanuparti Varalakshmamma (Sahitya Akademi).
Starting at the age of 12, she was involved in the Indian freedom movement and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. She worked towards improving the lot of women and encouraged them to actively participate in the freedom movement. She died on August 13, 1978.
Varalakshmamma started her literary career with a series of articles in the 1920, under a running title, Maa Chettuneeda Muchatlu, (Chatting in the shade of our tree), published Andhra Patrika weekly. In this column, Varalakshmamma discussed important issues such as education for women, traditions, politics, modern trends and other several issues. The popular column ran for 6 years.
In 1928, the same management started another magazine, Gruhalakshmi, in which Varalakshmamma was invited to write regularly. She started another column, Sarada Lekhalu (Letters from Sarada) under another pseudonym Sarada. The letters were addressed to an imaginary friend, Kalpalata. In these letters, Varalakshmamma discussed potent issues such as Sharda Act, divorce law, khadi movement, non-cooperation, erasing untouchability, unfounded customs, physical exercise, the changes implemented in measurements and weights, microphones and many more.
She started a women's organization, Stree Hitaishini Mandali to promote women's education, vocational skills and to improve their social status.
Varalakshmamma wrote poetry, stories, novels, and plays. Her writings were broadcast on All India Radio and Doordarshan (India TV). She participated in literary meets with high-ranking poets of our time. Varalakshmamma’s first novel Vasumati was published in 1925. Her second novel, Viswamitra was published in 1933.
Some of her stories are Kuteeralakshmi (The Goddess in a Cottage), Penshanu Puccukunna Naati Raatri (The night after retirement), Katha Etla Undaale (What is a good story!), Aidu Maasamula Iruvadi Dinamulu (Five months and twenty days) etc.