Brief History Of Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu (Andhra Kesari)

TANGUTURI PRAKASAM PANTULU(ANDHRA KESARI)

Tanguturi Prakasam was born in 1872, to Subbamma and Gopalakrishnaiah. Prakasam lost his father at the age of 12. He had one brother and three sisters. His uncle took the children under his care. Later on Subbamma moved to Ongole and maintained her children.

Prakasam moved to Rajahmundry for higher studies. He showed more interest in acting. He concentrated on studies and passed Matriculation in flying colours. He moved to Madras to study Law. After taking degree in Law he started practising as a lawyer in Rajahmundry. He left for England to qualify for the Barrister Degree. He toured the continent and gained first knowledge of people and places. He turned to India in 1906 and served as a High Court Judge in Madras.

Prakasam was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. He responded to Gandhi’s call and joined the freedom movement. He gave up the use of foreign goods. He was associated with Lala Lajapat Rai, Bala Gangadhar Tilak and Gopala Krishna Gokhale. In 1921 he started an English magazine “Swarajya”. His articles breathe his fiery patriotic fervour.

Prakasam Pantulu gave the slogan “Go back Simon Commission”. The English soldiers warned the demonstrators headed by Prakasam. They threatened to shoot if they (the demonstrators) moved an inch forward. Prakasam Pantulu baring his breast came forward. This made the British soldiers dumb struck. This exemplary courage earned him the title “Andhra Kesari”. In courage and character Prakasam Pantulu knew no equal. He denoted all his wealth to the congress organisation.

In 1946 he was elected as the Chief Minister of Madras State. He abolished the Zamindari system. He advocated the starting of farmers’ cooperatives. He was, as a true Gandhian, for total prohibition. He gave importance to khadi and village industries. He was the first Chief Minister of Andhra State. Krishna barrage at Vijayawada was named after him. In puritanical simplicity and Spartan discipline he is one with Subhash Chandra Bose.