Poets, singers, and artists played a significant role in instilling patriotism and the desire for independence from foreign rule in the minds of the Indian people. Their works inspired and motivated the masses toward the cause of independence. Among them, poet Devulapalli Krishna Shastri was one of the most prominent figures.
Born on 1 November 1897, into a family of scholars in the village of Chandrapalem, located near Pithapuram in the East Godavari District, Krishna Shastri's father and grandfather were both renowned scholars. As a result, literary discussions were commonplace in their household, and Krishna Shastri began writing at a young age.
In the course of the movement, Krishna Shastri's relatives secured his release due to his good relations with the Harijan hostel in Pitha Puram and his active participation in supporting the Harijan community. From 1933 to 1941, he worked as a teacher at a college in Kakinada, where one of his songs created a sensation. In 1936, his niece Vinjamuri Anasuya composed music for this song. The lyrics of the song are as follows:
జయజయజయప్రియభారతజనయిత్రీదివ్యధాత్రి
జయజయజయశతసహస్రనరనారీహృదయనేత్రి
జయజయసశ్యామసుశ్యామచలాచ్చేలాంచల
జయవసంతకుసుమలతా – చలితలలితచూర్ణకుంతలా
జయమదీయ,హృదయాశయ – లాక్షారుణపదయుగళా‘’జయ”
Translation:
Mother India, dear to us! your land be a divine and holy land. Mother India, who is the eyes and the hearts of millions of men and women, adorns herself with dark and green colors. who the beautiful-haired mother has blossomed flowers in the spring season. May the red colors of the desires in my heart become your feet’s designs. Mother India, is satisfied with the immortality of birds flying in the sky. In the songs that came from the voices of the singers and poets, may the wandering mother of India be victorious for you. May you be blessed with beautiful feet, kissed by my sweet song.
This great song fills the hearts of Telugu people with patriotism even today.
Source: Somisetty Sarala, Scholar, CCRT