DESCRIPTION

Poem of Modern India Adhunika Mahabhratam by the great Telugu poet Gunturu Seshendra Sarma is not in any way connected to the epic. It is in fact a commentary on modern India and is the reaction of sensitive, socially aware patriotic, erudite poet to the harsh modern reality of the increasingly urban nation. The present edition, a reprint of the classic by sarma, facilitated by the contribution of actor Pawan Kalyan, comprises a series of poems published between 1970-1986. The poems and their commentary appeared in Andra Prabha between '84 and '86 as a weekly series titled Arustunna aadmi [Shouting Man] The poems speak in various voices, some angst - ridden, some romantic, some that call for the rise of an armed rebellion against oppressive forces, and even some that eulogise the poetic variety that the country inspires. It is not only an ode to the country he loves, but also a plea for the man on the roads of Hydreabad (or any city) to recognise a world that lies outside the urban jungle and explore the reality that lies within the working class. It is a reminder that man need not fear the forces of modernity represented by the officials and a political class both of which limit his potential and reduce him to a sort of slavery.