Vaasamoorti 1925-2023
Please leave public messages at the bottom of this page.
Anyone who leaves a message will be contacted by the email that you leave here with more information about the memorial for Vaasamoorti. If you would like to send a private message instead you can contact them as you normally do or use the contact form here.
16 responses to “In Memoriam”
-
Miss you Thattayya, a true loss for our family and the world. As an accomplished novelist, newspaper writer, political activist, and professor — he made us all proud and someone to look up to ♥️ At 97, you lived a full life full of love and touched so many lives. You’ve joined ammamma now and both of you are missed so dearly.
Huge thank you to Thomas Bennett creating the site and Sheryl Kennedy Coe for creating the memorial page!
May 1925 – Jan 2023
Love you,
Mallika, Granddaughter -
Peddamamayya garu I know
Peddamamayya garu for me (from my earliest remembrance) was a source of knowledge – his front room filled with various books and magazines and his friends who used to visit almost every evening to discuss somethings. I used to browse the strange books not understanding anything. I used to sit on the steps and watch/listen regularly and unwaveringly to the discussions on literature/intellectual which I never understood one thing of what they discussed. Despite having access to so many books and listening to many discussions, I could only look at the pictures in the books and could not read any books including Chandamama till I was 14 year old and remained an inarticulate right into my early twenties. But the seeds were laid in my head for sure.
He used to take photographs with Agfa camera when we were kids and he used to listen to music Hindustani. He also used to grow and tend to ornamental plants in pots in the front yard of the house in Amalapuram.
He was a teacher in high school. I am not very sure which subject – it could be Hindi. How had he become a teacher? He suffered debilitating health issues at a young age and he was in bed most of the time so his early education was by self study. While working as a teacher, he privately studied for MA Literature in Bhagalpur University in Bihar. After MA he joined as a lecturer in SKBR college in Amalapuram where my grand father used to work as Sanskrit lecturer. But due to a problem with recognition of his MA, the college did not give him full salary of lecturers. Around that he applied and got lectureship in Bihar, probably Bhagalpur University itself. But my grand mother wept so much and did not allow him to go. He had physical challenges but willing to take on the opportunity go ahead to a distant state for work.
There used to be two cycles in our Amalapuram house – one looked premium Humber Brand cycle with cushion seat cover and other trims used by Peddammamayya garu and the other older colourless cycle with no trims used by Thatayya garu. I used to eye the Humber cycle to ride but mostly I used to get the older cycle. Peddamamayya garu used to go to the school and later to the college on the cycle as it gave him better mobility.
Emergency 1975-77: Chinnamayya garu was arrested and shifted to Rajahmundry Central Jail. After a couple of months, Peddamamayya garu was arrested and probably shifted to Rajahmundry – but not to the Central Jail. The charges were that Peddamamayya garu organised a meeting against the Government and when the police raided the meeting, Peddamamayya garu threw the pamphlets ran away fast in the darkness of the night. Then my father filed a case and I was sent by my father to meet Dr Chainlu in Rajahmundry. I went and explained to him about Peddamamayya garu’s inability to run and run fast. I don’t remember the connection between Dr Chainlu and why I was asked to go and meet. Finally, Peddamamayya garu was released within the next few days.
Film Society: In the late 1970s, the first film society in Rajahmundry started with cinema actor Kakarala’s brother as secretary. Kakarala’s brother used to work as manager of Bata shop in Rajahmundry. I had become a member. Soon Peddamamayya garu started got in touch with Kakarala and corresponded with the Federation of film societies and started Konaseema Film Society. In those days physical films had to be brought from Mumbai and had to be screened in regular theatres. It involved corresponding, procuring and negotiating with local theatres and scheduling the screening and discussion to appreciate the films better and arrange for return logistics. Konaseema Film Society had run successfully for a long time under the leadership of Peddamamayya garu.
Books: Around the time Papakka and I were born, Peddamamayya garu wrote Allari Gopi Adbhutha Yatra. The book had colorful images drawn by Bapu. The book was translated into many Indian languages. Later he wrote another children’s book called Ramu Rakshasulu. The images were not drawn by Bapu. I don’t know who had drawn, those were line drawings and looked somewhat abstract. This book was translated into Russian language also. Peddamamayya garu used to correspond with a Russian translator. There used to lot of blue colored bound books of Ihaparalu – a novel. I don’t know when he wrote this novel. He translated the book into English – the title was ‘Here and Beyond’. These books were published by him under the publishing name – Telugu Velugu. Most of the books were sold to libraries – Govt and college libraries. Once my thatayya garu (Peddamamayya garu’s father), commented to me “See, he published all these books but all are lying here on the attic. You don’t find any of the books I wrote as all were sold off”. That’s when I realised that he too used to write books. But I did not say or ask any questions as my relationship with Thathayya garu was always stiff. Actually I was surprised at his comments, he never spoke candidly to me like that.
He wrote another book – I don’t remember the name of the book now. A Telegu cinema producer/director bought the rights to make this book into a movie it was sold for Rs.5000/- The right of sale agreement was prepared by my father and executed in Rajahmundry. But the producer did not make the movie for a long time as Basu Chatterjee made super hit Hindi movie with similar theme with Amol Palekar, Ashok Kumar and Asrani as lead characters. The Telugu producer/director also bought the rights from Hindi film. Finally, after several years of delay, the movie was made and released. I am not able to recollect the name of the movie, it ran moderately.In the 1970s I remember thumbing through the manuscript of an English book “The Age of Intelligence”. I could not understand what it was all about. He used to sit in his chair with a writing table and keep thinking and writing. He used to wake up very early in the morning and write in the early morning and at different points of time. He used to keep thinking deeply. But he never shared his thoughts and I don’t remember ever discussing his thoughts with the visitors. But he used to correspond and send the manuscripts for opinion. Now the Age of Intelligence and his book on Marx is available on Kindle.
After shifting to Hyderabad sometime during 1982-83, he started writing for News Time – the English newspaper of Enaadu Group on part time basis. The editor of the newspaper was Vakatipanduranga Rao, a friend of Peddamamayya garu.
Sometime in the early 90s, he wrote a serial in Andhra Boomi weekly. It was well received. I used to read the letters to the editor. Telugu weeklies always publish letters with good reviews only. But I remember one letter writing that the hero always eats upma week after week. I don’t know whether Peddamamayya garu liked upma so much.
My brothers, sister, cousins, relatives may not know all these aspects of Peddamamayya garu. Many of you spent more time with him and seen him longer and more closely than me. You may know many more things than I know.
-
Pedanannagaru, as I fondly call him, I grew up and settled down in the same city he resided..
I grew up under his guidance and made a lot of memories growing up.
One such most memorable moment took place in Osmania University, my work place a few years ago..
Once he gave me his book “Marxism” n asked me to give it to a professor in the University..
I obliged & handed the book to the professor under whom I worked at that time..
He took it n didn’t seem much interested to read it..
Later after many days, he happened to see me in staff room & told me that he had read the book n was amazed by even the first few pages of the book. He was amazed about the content & expressed his pleasure & surprise at the scholarly treatment of the subject n he kept praising it in front of all other staff members..To see that professor, who would always wore stern look n authoritative countenance, expressing his feelings so openly with joyful gestures, is a sight to remember..
That occasion made me realise the worth of the man, Sri Vasamurthy,my Pedananna garu. .I have So many beautiful memories with him that I cannot put into words.. We miss him dearly, but will remember him forever..
-
He was our beloved Tatagaru (grandfather) and he was an inspiration to us all. He had a sense of insatiable curiosity throughout his whole life and would never stop asking questions and continue to be better. He was an accomplished writer, being active in novels and newspapers as well as being a professor and politician activist. However what was perhaps most impressive about his life was how many lives he touched, and not just through his intellect but through his kind heart. He was a constant presence through all of our lives and he will be missed dearly. Love you Thattayya❤️
-
Dr. B. Syamala Rao,
Retired Reader,
H.O.D. of English,
SKBR College,
AMALAPURAMI am deeply pained by the death of Varanasi Satyanarayana Murthy, popularly known as Vasamurthy. I deem it as a personal loss to me. We were both attached to each other. A popular lecturer in the Department of English, a reputed novelist and short story writer, a good painter, an expert in the art of writing books for children, a winner of children’s literature for his book “Allari Gopi Adbhuta Yatra” in the competition held by the National Trust of India. Sri Vasmurthy is highly unassuming, very simple in life in spite of his scholastic excellence. His treatise on Marxism is indeed a classic.
It is a matter of pride and great admiration that he celebrated his 70 years of successful married life last year. It is a great fortune for me to have him as our tenant in our house in the early years of his stay in Amalapuram. He is my Guru (preceptor), friend and philosopher. We both attended a workshop conducted by the Vijayawada Film society. We both worked together in several organizations. We used to sit together for hours in his humble mansion and discussed on several topics of head and heart. The recent death of his wife has paralyzed his life and resulted in his sudden death.
I convey our condolences to his son, daughter and their families. May his soul rest in peace in the heavenly abode.
-
I was very saddened to know that left for heavenly abode. నా చిన్నప్పుడు అంటే 50 ఏళ్ల క్రితం నేను శెలవులు అమలాపురం లో గడిపేవాడిని. ఆ సమయంలోనే నాకు పుస్తకాలు చదవడం నేర్పించిన వారు ఆయనే. ఆ అలవాటు 50 ఏళ్లుగా ఇంకా కొనసాగుతూనే ఉంది. దాని ఫలితమే ఈరోజు నేను పదవ తరగతి మాత్రమే చదివినా ఆంగ్లం చక్కగా మాట్లాడుతున్నాను. ఆయన కోపగించిన సందర్భం నేను ఎప్పుడూ చూడలేదు. అటువంటి మహానుభావులని చాలా అరుదుగా మాత్రమే చూడగలం. దుఃఖం సాగరం లో మునిగిన వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతి. May his soul rest in peace
-
Actually I know very little about him bcz I hardly met him in person while growing up or even in the later years. .
Whatever little I know about him is mostly through his writings..
I have read a couple of his books. “The Age of Intelligence” is the one I bought online n finished reading it last year I think.N a few years before, when I visited him in Hyd, we had a good discussion about various things..
That was the first time, in my late 30s, I had the opportunity to have a one to one conversation with him n that broke the ice between us I guess..
Because we had never met n sit together for a conversation as it were until then. But that conversation was amazing n that was possible bcz of Indirakka.. She was on video call at that time..
He shared many things about his writings n other interests etc n I developed a great respect for him..
Important thing is he considered me worthy enough to discuss some serious stuff.. That’s a blessing I felt. The conversation went as far as discussing God, his existence, the world beyond etc.When I got up n bade good bye to him, he waved to me to wait a minute n slowly moved towards his shelf, pulled out a book, an old piece that looked old, tattered n handed it to me. That’s the original, n the only available copy of his book “Marxism, Relevance and Practice”..
He himself giving me that book, thinking that I had the sense to understand such stuff is a beautiful memory to me.. it’ll be etched in my heart for a long time to come.
Only a couple of memories, but those few equal to a hundred..I always wondered how on earth could be retain that passion for reading will into his 90s. N I was flabbergasted to see him ready n eager to produce more literary stuff. It’s unfortunate that I had come to know about his scholarly genius very late; hence couldn’t utilise his literary experience, but better late than never. I finally could grab some drops of the ocean of his knowledge n I treasure it with great care.. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti
-
గొప్ప మానవత విలువలు కలిగిన వ్యక్తి కీర్తి శేషులు శ్రీ వి ఎస్ మూర్తి గారు ఆయనకు జ వి సోమయాజులు నటిచింన శంకరాభరణము సినిమా చాలా ఇష్టం ,నేను ఆ సినిమా ఆడియో వాయస్ అమలాపురం వెంకటరమణ సినేమా హాలు లో మా టేప్ రికార్డు లో టేప్ సినిమా వినిపించినాను దానికి ఆయన చాల సంతోషించి నారు అవి గుర్తుకు వస్తున్నాయి,ఆయన పవిత్ర ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని
ఆ భగవంతుని ప్రార్థిస్టున్నను 🙏🙏
Pro.Goparaju.Sreenivas
M.Tech;Ph.D.
AMALAPURAM
Konaseema DT
INDIA
wattsapp/cell:+91 897832 7525 -
గొప్ప విలువలు కలిగిన మానవత వాది స్వర్గీయ వి ఎస్ మూర్తి గారు ఆయనకు జె వి సోమయాజులు నటించిన శుంకరాభరణం చాలా ఇష్టం ,నేను ఆయనకు అమలాపురం వెంకటరమణ సినిమా హాలు లో సినిమా వాయ్స్ మా ఇంటిలో టేప్
రికార్డర్ లో టేప్ చేసి వినిపించినాను, అవి అన్ని గుర్తుకు వస్తున్నాయి, ఆయన ఆత్మకు శాంతి కలగలని భగవంతుని ప్రార్ధిస్టున్నాను 🙏🙏
Pro Goparaju.sreenivas
M.Tech;Ph.D
H.No :3-4-36,Krishna Murthy street, K.agraharam, Amalapuram :533201,Konaseema Dt
Andrapradesh ,INDIA
Wattsapp/cell +91 897 8327525 -
My brother Vasamoorthy was a great Guide and philosopher to me and often used to show ways to overcome obstacles in life. Whenever I saw him alone in his room in deep pensive mood, he appears to me like a sage and saint. He believed in simple living and high thinking. He was embodiment of knowledge. He used to stick to time sense in daily chores. He was lover of books and did not miss to acquire them whenever he came across them. His room was a library, he was sensitive and honest. Though I was his younger brother, he looked after my parents with utmost care and affection and both my parents last in his mind forever. He wishes everyone to be involved in any useful work for the society in such a way that he shunts lethargy. According to him, acquisition of knowledge should not be to earn money instead, it should be useful for others. His pleasing and cheerful continence are a source of attraction to us all. We had a cow, cats and kitten in our house in Amalapuram. We brothers liked them very much and used to be let down when anyone tries to harm them. He was like kuruvrudha for all of our relatives. He was most unassuming gentleman. He wrote many books in telugu and English. It is my wonder, how that small head bore such fund of knowledge. He was hail and healthy till last six months. The secret of his health is maintenance of time schedule, he was the most handsome person in our family and for me he was like cine star. He worked in municipal high school in Amalapuram for some years and later did post-graduation in English literature from Bhagalpur University and got a job in local SKBR College, Amalapuram as English lecturer. He was also Editor of a popular telugu newspaper called “Andhrajyothi”. His soothing words used to have good relief for those who are in distress and agony. He used to frequently enquire about the welfare and well-being of his near and dear. There is no field of knowledge unknown to him. He liked classical songs, dances and cricket. He wrote a book on children entitled “Allari Gopi Adbutha Yatra” which was translated in 7 foreign languages. His two books “Age of Intelligence” , “Marxism-relevance and practice”.
To sum up, to write about that great person , I feel another Vasamoorthy should be born. -
The world has lost an amazing scholar, conversationalist, and thinker whose love for philosophy was second only to his love for his family and children. I got to know him for only a short time but immediately felt the warmth he brought everyone around him, as well as his infectious passion for life, humanity, and current events. Please rest in peace, Thathaya 🙏
-
‘అల్లరిగోపీ అద్భుత యాత్ర” – అప్పుడు దాదాపు మాకు అదే వయస్సు. అదంతా నిజం అనుకునే అమాయకపు బాల్యంలో మా మీద చెరగని ముద్ర వేశారు “పెద్దన్నయ్యగారు”. మాకు కూడా పెద్దన్నయ్యగారే, ఎందుకంటే వారి కుటుంబంవారంతా మా కుటుంబానికి ఎంతో సన్నిహితం. మా అమ్మమ్మగారి ఎదురిల్లే కావడంతో వేసవి సెలవలలో వారిని చూస్తూ పెరిగాము. ఎప్పుడైనా పుస్తకాలు అడిగితే చక్కగా ఇచ్చేవారు. “పుస్తకాలు చదువుతాము” అని అడిగినందుకు ఒకలాంటి గౌరవం, ప్రశంస ఆయన ఆప్యాయతలో నాకు తోచేది. వాత్సల్యానికి మరోపేరు వాస మూర్తిగారు! 🙏🙏🙏
-
Pedamuayagaru (Eldest Uncle) was a symbol of discipline for us and the adage “Simple living high thinking” suits him perfectly. Highly intellectual with knowledge in varied field he always commanded respect and carried himself with dignity. His life lessons are an inspiration to all of us especially when it comes to discipline, commitment and attitude towards life. Will miss him and may his soul rest in Peace.
-
He has been a true inspiration to all of us for his disciplined habits and cool nature of taking things in his stride under any given circumstances. I feel he was so disturbed by the loss of his wife our beloved aunty that he left us in haste to join her. May God unite them in heaven……🙏🙏🙏
-
Very humble and rare personality. His family is close to our heart and he always expressed what is good to the society. May God give peace to his soul.- Mangalampalli Satya Mohan Singh, Tarnaka, Secunderabad.
-
Mr. Murthy, our beloved Tatagaru (grandfather) has been a diligent human all his life , led an illustrious life as an author, intellectual speaker & an English professor. He has touched many lives with his articles and novels . We fondly remember his meticulous lifestyle and simplicity along with the sophistication he had effortlessly. He’ll be missed and this is an irreparable loss for us.
Leave a Reply