Noted Telugu Litterateur And Ex-Telugu University VC Nayani Krishnakumari Passes Away

30 January, Hyderabad

Distinguished Telugu Litterateur, poet, researcher and speaker Naryani Krishnakumari passed away at her residence in Hyderabad this morning.

She was 85 and is survived by husband Canakapalli Madhusudana Rao, , two sons and a daughter.

Krishnakumari, who was born to Nayani Subba Rao and Hanumayamma in Guntur, a town in Andhra Pradesh, married to Canakapalli Madhusudana Rao, a lawyer and a distant relative in 1954.

She started her academic career as lecturer in a womens college in Madras in 1951. 1952, she moved to Osmania University Womens College in Hyderabad, where she started out as lecturer, and became a reader and professor.

During 1983-84, she served as Principal of Padmavathi Mahila University, Tirupati, and returned to Osmania University as Head of the Department of Telugu.

She retired in 1990 after serving as the Chair of the Board of Studies in Osmania University for three years. Krishnakumari served as Vice Chancellor of Sri Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, from 1996 to 1999. Currently, she is professor emeritus.

Krishnakumari is a pioneer in Folklore studies and women literature.

Her travelogue, kashmira deepakalika , is considered unique in Telugu literature for its style.

She served several Institutions in various capacities. She received several awards such as Swarnakankanam instituted by Desoddharaka Kasinathuni Nageswara Rao, Best Telugu Writer award from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, and Sahitya Akademi among others.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister NChandrababu Naidu has expressed grief over her death.