Hyderabad: Government City College organises literary symposium

At a centenary event for Mahakavi Dasharathi, poet Nandini Sidha Reddy praised him as a fearless voice for Telangana, whose poetry inspired people during the Nizam regime and the Telangana movement. Writers and students gathered to honour his literary legacy

Hyderabad: Telangana Sahitya Akademi former chairman and renowned poet Nandini Sidha Reddy said Dasharathi was a people’s poet who carved a niche for poetry in history.

Delivering a keynote address at a literary symposium organised by the Government City College and Sahitya Akademi, marking the centenary celebrations of Mahakavi Dasharathi, Reddy noted that Dasharathi was one of the most beloved poets in Telugu literature, whose songs and lyrics penetrated deep into the common masses and awakened a sense of consciousness.

He praised Dasharathi’s fearless resistance against the oppressive Nizam regime and his spirited poetic portrayal of the armed struggle.

“Dasharathi was driven by three powerful passions – Poetry, the Telugu language, and Telangana. His writings brilliantly echoed the self-respect and pride of Telangana. His iconic slogan ‘Naa Telangana Koti Ratnala Veena’ became an inspiration for the second phase of the Telangana movement,” said Reddy.

Dasharathi’s persona emerged amidst global social struggles and liberation movements. He was a man ahead of his times, said Dr Mamidi Harikrishna, Director, Department of Language and Culture.

Faculty members, including Dr Koyi Koteshwara Rao, Head, Department of Telugu, Dr J Neeraja, Avadhanam Sujatha, Dr Kamala Sudharani, Catherine, Dr Sujatha Azmira, along with students, teachers, poets and writers, attended the event.