Rescuer and Restorer of Telugu Language, Literature and Culture-Sri Sa Vem Ramesh

 

 



Sa. Vem Ramesh as he is known by Telugu Speaking people is a man of versatility and simplicity. A Post Graduate in Anthropology from Madras University, Chennai is basically a Telugu-speaking person. His interest to work for "Telugu Language" grew after his Post Graduation. He is fluent in Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu not only to speak but can read and write too. He also learned to write a dread Smihali language.

I call him "Encyclopedia of Telugu"- I am not very happy with the word encyclopedia, any other word perhaps better than this would suit him. Unfortunately, I am not able to figure out that word. Anybody can suggest me......

Well, the reason for calling so is that he has made/is still in extensive, authentic research and is still on his work (he is not affiliated to any university or institution. It is his personal interest that he has taken this research work. His research work is personal and this gives him ample happiness and this passion has become more of a profession than a  hobby. Asked what do you do? He astonishes everyone by saying I roam like a nomad far and wide in search of Telugu-speaking people on this earth. He breathes in and out the air of Telugu and not Oxygen.

He has toured far and wide in India and has made an in-depth study of Telugu folk art forms in Andhra Pradesh and Telugu folk art forms in other states.  The wonder is his research has explored new art forms, cultural practices, usage of the Telugu language, other native regional language influences, and so on.

He has also gathered and recorded some of the no-more performed folk art forms and oral narratives. He is among the few in India who can read Brahmi lipi and translate it. He is a true Anthropologist who goes and makes in-depth studies, lives with and within the community for days together, and then analyses.

Whenever he is in Hyderabad, I catch up with him and discuss on various subjects about art forms language puppetry, and so on. He has authored a couple of books in Telugu. One is "Pralaya Kaveri Kathalu". This book has snippets of short stories based on his childhood experiences. It reminded me of "Malgudi Days" which used to be aired on the DD1 Channel decades ago.

 How does a language die? He asked me once- I gave some random reply. 

He said he sign of any language decaying is first the usage of folklore, native songs will disappear, then the saying, then slowly the cultural practice, literature, and one fine day the language itself. Well, many Indian languages are in this state.

He also contributes articles for Telugu magazine called "NADASTHUNNA CHARITHRA", "ANDHRA JYOTHI", and " SAKSHI". He has also been contacted frequently by various Television channels.

In a way, he has also given me lots of input and has inspired me to post about disappearing Telangana folk arts, about Sarada kathalu, Baindla Katha, and Boom Boom Matakarans.. He is also co-founder and secretary of "Telugu Vani".

He is the best source to check on all about the Telugu language  Telugu Culture, Telugu Literature, and all about Telugu anyone wants to know. He is "Oka Telugu Pichchodu". Well, like all the good works subjected to test- Sa vem Ramesh garu is threatened, ill-treated, and also verbally abused for taking up this work. His research works are regarded as unscientific by linguistic experts. Like many friends and well-wishers following him, so are foes too..........

I am glad that I met him after 7 years or so. He has traveled extensively in search of Telugu vari roots in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and so on and successfully established the same. Further, his passion to teach Telugu (to read and write)has pushed him to conduct special short course classes in various towns and cities. At present, he is conducting classes in Sri Kalahasti, Chittoor District.

He doesn't stop there, further, he encourages his students to write their life experiences, interesting facts, and so on in story form which is further published into a book.