Government declares Gurajada Jayanti on September 21 as State festival

An inner view of Gurajada Appa Rao's house in Vizianagaram. File | Photo Credit: V. RAJU The Andhra Pradesh government has declared September 21, the birth anniversary of playwright, writer and social reformer Mahakavi Gurajada Venkata Appa Rao, as a State festival.The government issued G.O. Ms. No. 193 to this effect, a statement issued by MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas said on Friday.Mr. Srinivas thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for accepting the request to observe Gurajada Jayanti as a State-level event. The Minister, who hails from Vizianagaram district, which is also Gurajada Appa Rao’s birthplace, said the decision was personally satisfying. He said Gurajada Appa Rao had made significant contributions to Telugu language and literature.Literary and cultural programmes would also be organised to familiarise younger generations with Gurajada Appa Rao’s writings and ideals, he said, adding that the writer’s noted statement, “Desamante mattikaadoy – Desamante manushuloy,” reflected his humanist outlook and concern for social issues and human values.The Minister said the coalition government had also taken steps to preserve the house where Gurajada Appa Rao lived and sanctioned pension to his descendants, the release said. Published - September 18, 2026 07:07 pm IST