కన్యాశుల్కము [Kanyasulkamu]

by Gurajada Venkata Apparao, గురజాడ అప్పారావు

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanyasulkam

Genres: Fiction, India, Classics, Indian Literature, Plays, Literature, Novels

248 pages

First published January 1, 1892

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurazada...

Reviews

[Vidyasagar Darapu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read a Telugu story book except for academic purposes. My parents saw books as useless and waste of money. Men in our village bazaar fed on news papers and weekly magazines. Parents felt happy when their children sang rhymes in English. That is pretty much the kind of reading culture that I was exposed to and the kind of treatment Telugu got.

I never really thought there could be stories written in Telugu that can tickle your emotions, please you senses, make you laugh and leave you spellbound towards the end. That's 'Kanyasulkamu' for you.

One might think that it doesn't carry any relevance to us as it talks about bride price and was written a 100 years ago and a movie was made 50 years ago. Some might even think that since they watched the movie there is no need to read to book.

Wrong!!!

For people who think the book is very much behind our times, let me tell you that Gurajada is ahead of us in his thinking and clarity of thought. A fantastic playwright and his humor is unmatched. For those of you who think the movie would do instead of the book, let me tell u that the movie got the point entirely wrong.

All the characters stick in the back of your mind and its hard to forget madhuravani or gireesam. Gurajada Apparao is unmatched. When I say it, I mean it in the truest sense of the word.

Read it if you can read Telugu.

[Bobodyowens · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book.. but konchem aa time language vachi untene humor baaga ardham ayyi undedi. naatika style kuda first time chadavadam aithe konchem boring ga untundi

[Ganadeep గణదీప్ · Rating 4 out of 5]

కన్యాశుల్కం ....

1897 లో రాసినా కూడా ఈ పుసక్తం లోని సందేశం నేటి తరానికి కూడా చాలా సంబంధితమైనది. కన్యాశుల్కం అనే ఈ నాటకం తెలుగు సాహిత్యం లో చెరగని ముద్ర వేసింది, వేస్తూనే ఉంటుంది. ఒక నాటకంలో ఙివితం మొత్తని కొన్ని పాత్రలో పేర్చి, వాటి మధ్య హాస్యాన్ని పండించి, సమాజం లోని సాంఘిక సమస్యలు గురించి వివరించిని తీరు మరియు గిరీశం, మధురవాణి ఇతర పాతరలను చితరీకరించిన తీరు అద్భుతం.

ఎవరైనా ఈ పుస్తకం చదవాలనుకుంటే పుస్తకం తో పాటు youtube లోని గొల్లపూడి హనుమంత రావు గారి కన్యాశుల్కం సిరీస్ కూడా చూడవచ్చు.

[Rajitha Neerugatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novel in telugu which dealt with social issues. I am very happy to read this book and really the Great way of writing by our MAHAN KAVI GURAJADA APPARAO GAARU...

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

కన్యాశుల్కం గురించి చెప్పాలంటే బహుశ పదాలను వెతుక్కోవాలి. నేను తెలుగులో మొదటగా చదివిని ఓ మంచి పుస్తకం. సాంఘిక మరియి ఇతర కట్టుబాట్ల గురించి రచయిత వివరించిన తీరు ఇతర పుస్తకాలలొ నేను ఇంతవరకు చదవలేదు. కన్యాశుల్కం రోజుల్లో ఉన్న పరిస్తితులను రచయిత కంటికి ఎదురుగా కనపడేవిధంగా రాశారు. గిరీశం, మధురవాణి ఇతర పాత్రలను చిత్రీకరించిన తీరు అద్భుతం. అంతిమ వాఖ్యం "డామ్మిట్ కథ అడ్డం తిరిగింది" ఈ రకంగా ముగిసిన పుస్తకం నేను ఇంతవరకు చదవలేదు.

This is one powerful book, which really made me think about certain issues. This book is in Telugu (one of the South Indian Languages). The book deals with the bride-price, which was prevalent in India. Thought provoking book.

[Abhipsa Mohanty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the most misunderstood book in all of regional literature, sad reality of art being caught up in the mess of ideology

[Karan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1800s Colonial India (North Andhra), this was my first Indian (Telugu) play, and I quite enjoyed it. I didn't really have any expectations, and my only reservation was that I was reading a translation and not the original.

Act One was a bit hard to follow, but the narrative flow became better in the subsequent acts. I never really thought about daily life in Colonial India, and this book gave an interesting insight on how British administration affected people in villages. The play has nothing to do with the British; it is just set in Colonial India. The play to me is very caste-specific - affecting Brahmins of North Andhra, and everything/everyone else is a result of those interactions.

I think almost every character in this play was a protagonist, and Madhura-Vani (Pleasure-Woman) and Girisam (Conman) were my favorites. The book may be hard to follow if you are non-Indian, caste subtleties may be missed. Even I had to Google society's perceptions of Niyogi Brahmins vs. Vaidiki Brahmins.

I was quite surprised by the concept of bride-buying in North Andhra, and may be this practice is strictly related to Brahmins? Dowry is a serious problem in current Indian society where the bride's family pays outrageous amount to the groom's family (i.e. Buying Groom). In this setting, the play implies that the norm (at least for Brahmins) in 1800s was opposite in North Andhra i.e. the man pays for a wife.


Some memorable quotes:
Girisam: You are not a politician unless you change your opinions now and then.
Ramap-pantulu: If a person trusts you and you deceive him, it is fraud. If a person doesn’t trust you, it’s politics.
Girisam to Venkatesam in regards to use of prayers: "You are the student and I am the teacher — just like in that Upanishad. If someone records your questions and my answers on a palm leaf, it will be a sacred text — after a couple of hundred years it will be known as Tobaccopanishad."

Girisam on giving lecture to God if stealing is a crime: O almighty God, did you create me to be independent of you or dependent on you? If I am created to be independent of you, I did what I did, and who are you to ask? If you trouble me with your questions, I will organize a National Congress in heaven. Or if I am created to be dependent on you, you are the one to take responsibility for my sins and you will be the one to be punished. Therefore, you go to hell yourself. If you give me power over heaven in your absence—for just six hours—I will fix a few mistakes in your creation.


General Notes:
I am thoroughly surprised by the language used in the play. I have always considered Indian literature to be heavily sanitized. Coarse language is used freely throughout the play.

It is pretty sad that girls are pretty much seen as nothing more than a cattle, a burden or commodity.

Thoroughly surprised by the impact of British society on villages and people that have never even seen an Englishman in their lives. I am not sure if this is a result of the author himself having been English educated and coloring my perception of day-to-day-life in Colonial India.

[Jayakrishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ఈ పుస్తకాన్ని మా తాత చదివారు,మా నాన్న చదివారు, నేను ఇప్పటికి చదివాను.

నా తర్వాతి తరం కూడా చదివి ఆనందిస్తారు అనుకుంటున్నాను.

[Shivakeshava · Rating 5 out of 5]

వైవాహిక వ్యవస్థలోని అసమానతలు, స్త్రీ దురవస్థ, బాల్యవివాహాల వలన శిశు వితంతువుల మూగ గోడు, వ్యభిచారపు అగాధంలో కూలిపోయిన స్త్రీల స్థితి, సమాజంలోని అన్యాయాలు ఇలాంటి అనేక సామాజిక సమస్యలను ఒకే రచనలో సజీవంగా ప్రతిబింబించడం అత్యంత కష్టసాధ్యం.
అయితే, ఆ కష్టాన్ని జయించిన రచన గురజాడ అప్పారావు గారి “కన్యాశుల్కం.”

సామాజిక చైతన్యానికి, సాహిత్య పరిణామానికి, భాషా సరళీకరణకు మార్గదర్శకమైన ఈ నాటకం తెలుగు నాటకరంగానికి ఒక యుగప్రవర్తకంగా నిలిచింది.
రచన విధానంలో ఒక కొత్త దారిని చూపి, భాషా వ్యక్తీకరణలో నూతన దశను ఆవిష్కరించింది.

పాత గ్రాంథిక సంస్కృత భాష ప్రభావం తగ్గి, ప్రతి సగటు తెలుగు పాఠకునికి అర్థమయ్యేలా వ్యవహారిక భాషలో రచనలు రావడానికి ఇది ప్రేరణనిచ్చింది.
ఇది తెలుగు భాషకు, తెలుగు నాటక సాహిత్యానికి విముక్తి ప్రస్థానమైందని చెప్పాలి.

వితంతు పునర్వివాహం వంటి సంస్కరణలను ప్రజలలోకి తీసుకువెళ్ళి, సమాజ మార్పుకి మార్గం చూపిన మహత్తర రచన.
నూతన ఆలోచనలకు వేదికగా నిలిచి, సాహిత్యానికి సారథ్యాన్ని అందించింది.

మొత్తానికి, కన్యాశుల్కం ఆంధ్రసాహిత్యానికి షడ్రుచులతో కూడిన విందువంటిది.
ఉగాదికి పచ్చడి ఎలాగ తీపి, చేదు, పులుపు, ఉప్పు అన్నీ కలిసిన జీవన సత్యాల ప్రతిబింబమై ఉంటుదో ,అలాగే కన్యాశుల్కం కూడా సమాజంలోని అన్ని రకాల భావోద్వేగాలను, వాస్తవాలను, విరోధాలను తనలో అద్దంలా ప్రతిబింబిస్తుంది.
ఇందులో హాస్యం ఉంది, వ్యంగ్యం ఉంది, కరుణ ఉంది, ఆవేదన ఉంది , కానీ చివరికి వీటన్నింటినీ మించిన మానవతా స్పృహ ఉంది.

Now someone asks me which character I like the most, undoubtedly it’s Madhuravani.
She isn’t just a character; she is a mirror of intelligence, wit, and suppressed strength in a society that never gave her dignity. Through Madhuravani, Gurajada shows how wisdom and compassion can rise even from the most neglected corners of society.

I never really thought deeply about daily life in Colonial India until I read this. It offers an intimate glimpse into how British rule indirectly shaped social structures, especially in small-town Andhra life.
Interestingly, Kanyasulkam doesn’t deal with the British directly; it’s simply set in that era, while its real battle is within the social psyche of Telugu Brahmin society, its hypocrisy, caste rigidity, and moral contradictions.

[Sai Krishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"ఉన్నతమైన నైతిక ప్రమాణాలు వ్యాపించచేయటానికి మించిన కర్తవ్యం సాహిత్యానికి మరొకటి లేదు. ప్రజా బాహుళ్యానికి పుస్తక పఠనం అలవాటయ్యే దాకా అలాంటి ఆరోగ్యకర ప్రభావ వ్యాప్తికై నాటకరంగాన్ని ఆశ్రయించవలసి ఉంటుంది" అని గురజాడ గారు కన్యాశుల్కం పీఠికలో తమకు తాము ఒక లక్ష్యం విధించుకున్నారు . ఆ లక్ష్యాన్ని చాలా బాగా చేరుకున్నారు అనిపించింది.

కన్యాశుల్కం మీద నైతిక చర్చ చేస్తూనే ఆ నాటి సమాజంలో ఉన్న వేర్వేరు విషయాల మీద హాస్యాస్పదంగా చర్చచేశారు. సందర్భం దొరికినప్పుడల్లా వితంతు వివాహాల గురించి , వర కట్నాల గురించి , "నాచ్చి క్వశ్చన్" గురించి , సెక్స్ వర్కర్స్ గురించి , మొదలగు సామాజిక విషయాల మీద అభ్యుదయ భావాలను వ్యాపించడానికి చేసే ప్రయత్నం కనిపిస్తుంది. అలా అని ఇది preachy గా, ప్రవచనంలా కాకుండా హాస్యంతో సాగిపోతూ ఉంటది. తెలుగు సినిమాలు ఈ శైలిని పాటించడానికి ఎప్పట్నుంచో ప్రయత్నం చేస్తున్నాయి.

130 ఏళ్ల ముందు రాసిన నాటకం ఈ నాటికి చదువుతుంటే నవ్వులు తెప్పిస్తుంది అంటే భాషను మెచ్చుకోవాలి. సరళమైన వాడుక భాష అప్పట్లోనే గురజాడ గారు రాసారు గనుక మనం ఈరోజు రచనల్లో, సినిమాల్లో ఎవరికీ అర్ధం కానీ "poetic" మాటలు తగ్గిస్తే సరి. ఈ వాడుక భాషతోనే నాకు గురజాడ గారు ఎన్నో కొత్త పదాలు నేర్పించారు, జాతీయాలు నేర్పించారు, తిట్లు కూడా నేర్పించారు! తెలుగు మీద ప్రేమను పెంచారు. అదే కదా ముఖ్యం!

[Akash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way way ahead of it's time. Only if you turn the pages, you'll know it's filled with themes & dialogues and genres which are still relevant today. And the English- Idioms, novels & pop culture references back in the day?! Been more than a century!

It's really a pity, that I couldn't read all these earlier. Most explicit & complex themes were showcased with the best hilarious sequences & dialogues.

టెల్ మాన్!
- మాన, మానులవంచ? గొబ్బగలగొడతాను!

And the famous - " డామిట్, కథ అడ్డం తిరిగింది!".

There are tons of these in the play.

"మొత్తము మీద మీ ఇంగ్లీషు చదువు మంచిదిలాగే కనబడుచూన్నది. భాష భేదంగాని మనముక్కలే వాళ్లవిన్నీ!"

This was insane man. Also, gradually getting that english was way way back diluted in our regional language & in our daily convos. Truly a game Changer.

Must read. Will be more exciting in the second read I guess. Will be fun discovering other layers of this masterpiece.

[Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course it's not like I could write a critical review about such classical pieces of literature. I loved it thoroughly. Beautiful and utterly humour filled drama. It's a shame that such timeless pieces were never part of academic reading in schools. 1 Telugu vs 5 English books.

It gave me a great insight into the culture from that time and I was completely surprised to find the amount of English and Urdu used in the dialogues. I thought it was a recent phenomenon people don't speak pure Telugu. Turns out it had been that way for more than a century. I was even more shocked to see the amount of explicit swearing that happened I laughed at my own ignorance. I always thought books in Telugu were written in a traditional way without any romance or swearing but this one completely shattered my assumptions every page. I'm glad I got to read something in Telugu again after a long time.

[Sravan Patibandla · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest plays written! At first it was hard to get acclimated with the dialect. Telugu evolution has truly accelerated in the past 100 years. But, there are those familiar English words sprinkled in between.

This book is a time capsule which lets you peek into the Telugu society of 1890-1900s. I understood how English was treated and how English-literate people behaved or were perceived by others.

Coming to the story, PERFECT. As this is a book on society evil, I was expecting some kind of preaching. But the genius of this book is that it never preaches. The title is the only give away!

We as readers travel with the characters and learn the impact of this unfortunate custom. The book subtly deals with prostitution as well.


Overall it was an amazing book and look forward to dive into the Telugu lit space.

PS: Stories from home hit harder!

[Atharv G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

An enjoyably satirical look at social reform movements in late 19th century India, specifically focusing on child and widow remarriage as well as "temple dancers." Our protagonist, Madhuravani, is a female character with a surprising amount of agency for her status and the time in which the play was written. The subversion of the typical "hero" trope is one of the most interesting things literarily about this novel, as the character who we think exemplifies the "anti-hero" really doesn't end up that way at all. While the side characters (especially women) lack depth and the digressions were at times tedious, this was a much better reading experience than expected.

[Naresh Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew this book was written in 1897, the life of colonial India can be imaged through this book narrative, its filled with humor drama, the conversation looks very lively while reading, I assure one will feel they are hearing the conversation between people while reading, Sri Gurajada never hesitated to write in daily language (which includes foul words too) it is required as it is very lively to read.

I am in love with Girisam & madhuravani characters, some characters innocence, emotions will really touch your heart, one might feel a little difficult in this generation to read please take a little effort and read.

[Vijaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kanyasulkam is a play with full screenplay and script written by Gurajada Apparao garu. The story/play excellently captures the culture, values, challenges of telugu society (Madras Presidency) of 1892, without being preachy. With strong women empowerment and gender equality theme, the book perfectly fits into socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century India. Exceptional rhyme (prasa) and clever usage of language enhanced the humor even further. Readers familiar with coastal northern Andhra vocabulary would be able to relate well to the dialect. Although the book addresses social issues of a place and a time, there are several relatable elements that are applicable to today's society which makes it a literary classic. Caution regarding occasional swear words.
The popular Telugu B&W movie starring NTR, Savitri and Soukar Janaki with the same title is based on the book. Enjoy either, both :)

[R C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was a good read, Interesting part entante how different caste people used different dialects in the play, konnisarlu dani valla conversation sariga artham kale kani, English translation version and youtube lo unde play chusta chadivananduku aa problem teeripoyindi. Book has some nice humour some parts made me laugh out loud. Book aa time lo manshulu ela undevallo baaga chupinchindi and it showed the evils present at that time perfectly. Book ending kuda chala nacchindi.

[Janardhan Prasad · Rating 3 out of 5]

satirical play write about Girls selling & child marriages!!!

it's a very good drama with good humor & message in the content.

writer didn't hesitate to use foul language here and there. To demonstrate the country situation in his times. About Child marriages, widows position, barbarian families, unemployment, Court cases and all.

[kiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most hyped book in Telugu literature, even though I'm a native speaker I can't understand minimum 3 words per each page.

This book helps to imagine or understand old Telugu culture as it written almost 100 years back. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I never thought I need a Telugu dictionary to read Telugu book.

Definitely you can give a try.

[Rama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I loved the set-up of the book which was 130+ years ago. It was a breezy read. And a great satire/comedy on the social evils of that day.

But more importantly I appreciated the ending of the book . Both Maduravani embracing the Gita and Sowjanyarao deeming Girisham unfit to marry Buchamma (+ stressing importance of her getting educated).

[Venkatachari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a wonderful book that portrays the social life and challenges faced by young girls who are married to older men in exchange for money by their impoverished parents. At the same time, the central character of the novel is a geisha (though she is considered a prostitute by society) who sheds light on what is right and what is wrong, and guides the other characters towards moral standards.

[Prasad, ప్రసాద్ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of story written for stage play ,so nascent readers may find difficulty to enjoy the book and accustomed to Dialect and few words of that period.There are few audio books which can help you and movie based on book. must read !!

[ReadingNomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Need a massage chair for Madhura-Vani for carrying the entire plot**
This book contains frequent bad mouthing of women, and entirely changed the view of those main stereotypical caste men...you know..👀

[Sravani · Rating 5 out of 5]

ilanti adbhutaala gurinchi yenta takkuva maatladite anta manchidani na uddesam. okka naatakam lo motham jeevitaanniki vistaraaku parichinattu parichesi chupinchesaru Apparao gaaru.

[Dhavaleswari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will take us to the olden days and the language dialect used in those days.

A very good read with humor and the painful reality in those days.

[Teja Pasupuleti · Rating 3 out of 5]

How did I read this book in this app I can’t see any the reading option plz respond to my question

[Thirumala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kk

[Shravani Mudiraj]

read

[Haritha · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of best book and it is also available at Chirukaanuka .com

[Pradeep Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best classic of Telugu novels, i was amazed to read this.