Remembering Chalasani Prasad

Harsh Thakor

July 25, Communist Revolutionaries across the country commemorated the 10th death anniversary of revolutionary poet and writer, Chalasani Prasad who left an indelible stamp on the revolutionary movement in Telengana and Andhra Pradesh. Chalasani Prasad’s memories remain forever, like an inextinguishable lamp. Remembering someone like Chalasani Prasad, who even at eighty-three years of age made his life so meaningful, is like reading an epic novel. ‘CP’ was a mascot of the communist philosophical ideology that has been shaping Telugu society since before the partition of the country. Joining and working in the early generation of communist groups in Krishna district, writing songs while supporting the struggles of the poor people at a young age, losing family members in the Telangana armed struggle, was a testament to his unflinching quest to liberate humanity. Irrespective of several setbacks and countless deaths of loved ones he never wavered from his revolutionary commitment and orchestrated people’s rebellion. He would emerge successful in overcoming the gravest setbacks to re-invigorate revolutionary fervour. Prasad’s life journey symbolised the very soul of revolutionary poetry and literature.

Prasad was born on December 8th, 1932, in Batlapenumarru village in Krishna district. He studied at Challapli high school till matriculation and graduated in political Science from Andhra University.

Prasad emerged as a student leader during his school days. His brother Vasudeva Rao was killed in the Telengana Armed Struggle while his son was assassinated in the Srikakulam struggle.

He played an integral part in the Srikakulam armed Struggle, that fortified the Naxalbari Struggle. Prasad was instrumental in the formation of Virasam, with well reputed poets and writers, Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao alias Koku, Sri Sri, Krishnabhai and Ramana Reddy.

During the emergency Prasad was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act and imprisoned with well-known poet and lawyer Raavi Sastry and politicians Tenneti Vishwanatham and GooutuLacchan.

 He was one of the architects of the Jana Natya Mandali with revolutionary balladeers Gaddar and Vangapunda in North Andhra.

He was the editor for Mahakavi Sri Sri’s Anantam, whole range of works by Mahakavi. He was responsible for the publication of collected works of another literary colossus Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao.

He unwaveringly condemned the state when police killed tribal leaders branding them as Maoists. He raised his voice against the brutal killing of GantiPrasadam.

State repression haunted him like a shadow—arresting him, raiding his premises on several occasions.

Chalasani Prasad was in Visakhapatnam when the Srikakulam tribal struggle took place. He personally felt its impact. Although the struggle took place in the tribal areas within their borders, its centre of influence was Visakhapatnam. His home became a centre of the revolutionary movement. He was a revolutionary activist who protected and fortified the Visakhapatnam base for almost five decades. Till his last breath, he waved the banner of Maoism and left no stone unturned in defending the armed movement in Dandkaranya.

[Harsh Thakor is a freelance journalist. Thanks to Andhra Jyothy and The Times of India for information.]

Back to Home Page

Frontier
Vol 58, No. 10, Aug 31 - Sep 6, 2025