Glowing tributes were paid to noted poet Gurram Joshua on his 120th birth anniversary here on Monday.

Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti founder President Manda Krishna Madiga, Prakasam district Collector Sujatha Sharma, Dalita Hakulu Parirakshana Samiti district president N. Nagendra Rao and Gundalakamma Rachayathula Sangham president Sriramsgar Kavacaham were among those who garlanded the statue of Joshua, a noted scholar both in Telugu and Sanskrit, at the Prakasam Bhavan here.

At a commemoration meeting, people from different walks of life recalled the contributions of the poet for the uplift of downtrodden sections of people.

Gurram Joshua’s writings were an emotional outpouring of a person who had experienced poverty and caste discrimination, Krishna Madiga said.

Political power

Extolling Joshua as a ‘king of dalit literature,’ the MRPS leader exhorted one and all to follow his footsteps to ameliorate the living condition of Dalits and unite them in achieving political power.

His works, including Gabbilam (A Bat), Firadausi (A Rebel), and Kandiseekudu (A Refugee), would be remembered forever, said Sriramsagar Kavacham.

The verses of Joshua in the popular play Harischandra were recalled on the occasion with the particular reference to heart-rending cremation ground scene.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Ongole – September 26th, 2015