Standing on Ashes, Speaking Fire: Remembering Dasarathi Krishnamacharya

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This morning, I came across a powerful article by Jukanti Jagannadham in Eenadu, marking the 100th birth anniversary of one of Telangana’s most iconic voices — Dasarathi Krishnamacharya.

The article began with a powerful moment from 1944, during the peak of the Nizam-era oppression, Suravaram Pratap Reddy organized a Kavi Sammelanam at Warangal Fort. The Razakars — notorious for silencing dissent — burned down the poets’ tent (pandhiri), thinking they could smother the voices rising against tyranny.
But a 19-year-old Dasarathi stood barefoot on the ashes and recited poetry — not just verses, but a roar of resistance.
That image — of a young poet standing tall amidst ruin, speaking truth to power — is nothing short of legendary.

At 19, many of us are just figuring out who we are. Dasarathi had already decided what he would stand for.
And stand he did — for justice, for people, for Telangana.

The line that every Telugu and Telangana person has heard — at rallies, in textbooks, on television, in songs — still echoes through generations:
"నా తెలంగాణ, కోటి రత్నాల వీణ" (My Telangana, a Veena of a million gems) — from his fiery debut poetry collection 'అగ్నిధార' (Flowing Fire), published in 1947.
That wasn’t just poetry — it was prophecy. It was a vision of Telangana’s soul — rich, vibrant, proud.

Today, as we talk about “Bangaru Telangana,” it’s worth remembering that this vision of a proud, self-respecting, and culturally rich Telangana was once the dream of poets like Dasarathi — long before it became a political slogan.
I genuinely hope more of us — especially the youth — draw inspiration from Dasarathi’s life.
Not just to write poetry, but to live boldly.
To stand up. Speak up. And hold on to ideals even when the world burns around you.