HYDERABAD: Jwalamukhi,one of the six digambara kavulu (revolutionary poets) of Telugu literature, breathed his last this evening.
He was 75 and is survived by wife and three sons. Veeravalli Raghavacharyulu, whose pen name was Jwalamukhi, was popular among modern Telugu writers. Six of his poems were published in three volumes brought out by Digambara Kavulu.
He was active in Left movements and worked as vice-president of Bharat-China Friendship Society. He worked as a lecturer.
Born at Mallepalli, near here, Jwalamukhi, along with five other angry young poets _ Nagnamuni (MH Kesava Rao), Nikhileswar (Yadava Reddy), Cherabanda Raju (Baddam Bhaskar Reddy ) , Bhairavayya (Man Mohan Sahay) and Maha Swapna (Kamisetti Venkateswara Rao) _ started ‘digambara’ poetry in 1965.
The ‘naked poetry’ highlighted the dissatisfaction of the people on price-rise, unemployment and other prevailing problems.
Though there was criticism about the language used by the six poets, Maha Kavi Sri Sri lauded their efforts of exposing the ills of the society.
These poets revolted against everything related to the past and startled the society with their ‘naked truths’.
Jwalamukhi also published `Manishi’ (poetic work) and Veladina Mandaram (novel).
He translated the biography of Hindi writer Saratchandra Chattergy into Telugu as ‘Desa Dimmari Pravakta Sarat Babu’.
Jawalamukhi’s final rites will take place in Amberpet on Monday.
Several writers and politicians mourned Jwalamukhi.