Today is Mahakavi Nutakki Abraham's 102nd birth anniversary
Abraham, known as the beloved disciple of modern-age poet Chakravarti Gurram Joshua, who wrote poems towards social change, was born on March 7, 1923, to Nutakki Daniel Katamma in Kolakalur village of Tenali mandal, Guntur district. Abraham's father became a police officer during the transfer of Vinukonda to Joshua. With Joshua's encouragement, he recited panchakavyas and developed a passion for the Telugu language and focused on poetry writing.
Abhagyajeevi described the heartache of lovers who were crushed in the hands of the social evils of the time in his novel and flagged it as a rebellion against evils in his first work.
Abraham wrote the Matkunam Kavya inspired by Joshua’s Bat Kavyam. Matkunam means black. Explaining his state of affairs in this country, he wrote about being stabbed by Nalli, who hurt him and drank his blood, saying:
"Even if I appear / Diinundanu dikku leka / Dehi anuchun kani kishmu kudichedi / Na nithure you sweet offering?"
He asks Nalli and makes the poor man aware of the need for equality in a caste-ridden society. He taught that the blood of nobles who robbed and exploited the poor must be questioned. Matkunam Kavyam expresses Joshua's literary heritage as the heartbeat of Velivadas, proclaiming the hunger pangs of the poor who lived as casteless people in Velivadas and the pain of inequality.
Jalaruhakshi Valapu Prema Sakshi, praised by Mahakavi Joshua, is described as a diamond necklace for the language goddess in Abraham’s works. Telugu Nata Alarari with crowns like Alaru Nilaveni and Naluva Rani further glorified the Telugu language’s poetic tradition.
Through Jalaruhakshi Kavyam, Nutanajilu Gulu Abraham added glory to Telugu literature. He wrote:
"His heart is a temple to God / His teeth are Himalayas for mercy / His manammu is Shantiniketanamu / His divine soul is the refuge of God."
He explained in his poetry how a man with perfect human qualities should be. He also condemned selfish human tendencies, illustrating how the killing of birds for man's selfishness symbolizes a loss of humanity.
The brave male bird in Pauram Kavyam expressed its agony, saying:
"I have not lost my head, like a dark car in the creation of the world / The beautiful rose thorns that appear above me have caught me / Man’s selfishness has destroyed our survival."
Apart from research poems, Abraham also wrote dramas. The dialogues and commentary in his drama Papa Kshama Anumuki are a testament to Abraham Praudha’s poetry.
Gurumurthy Joshua also wrote prose poems like Gabbilantho Joshua, Vishwa Narudu Joshua, and Mahakavi Joshua Nastikuda?
Legacy and Recognition
Madhurakavi Nutakki Abraham passed away on June 5, 1999, after serving the Telugu language for many years and fully embodying the principles of Vishwa Shreyah Kavyam by writing poetry for social welfare. He was known as Abhinava Joshua in Andhra Pradesh and received titles like Madhura Kavi Kavya Kalanidhi, Kavi Kokila, Kavikulabhushana Dalit Literary. He was also awarded the National Ambedkar Award by the President of India.
However, despite his contributions, Nutakki Abraham did not receive proper recognition as a poet. Efforts are being made to bring his printed works to light, and it is the government's responsibility to honor his legacy by declaring Kala Pra Purna in his respect.
102nd Birth Anniversary Celebrations
Madhurakavi Nutakki Abraham’s 102nd birth anniversary celebrations will be held at Tenali Pensioners Hall at 11 AM under the direction of journalist Unnam Bhushanam. In the evening, another event will take place at Kolakaluru Library under the auspices of Babu Jagajjeevan Ram Library and Dalit Employees Association.
Source: surya