Raghupati Venkatarathnam Naidu's Women Upliftment Reforms in Andhra
By T. NAGAMMA, S. REDDEPPA
Summary
The article examines Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu's role in 19th- and early 20th-century social reform movements in Andhra, particularly focusing on women's upliftment and the eradication of the nautch (devadasi) system. It traces the influence of missionary activities in Andhra during the first quarter of the 19th century, driven by British government policies and Christian evangelists like Charles Grant, which led to educational advancements and social reforms such as abolishing slavery, Sati, and promoting widow remarriage. Kandukuri Veeresalingam, a key figure in Andhra's social reform movement, was preceded by earlier efforts by British-educated Andhra elites. Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu (1862-1939), educated in physics and influenced by Brahmo Samaj ideals through teachers like Aghoranath Chattopadhaya, became a prominent reformer. He established the Prarthana Samaj in Andhra and championed the Social Purity Movement, emphasizing temperance and the eradication of the nautch system. His efforts included founding educational institutions, advocating for women's education, and leading anti-liquor campaigns supported by vernacular press like *Mandaramanjan* and *Andhra Patrika*. The Social Purity Movement targeted the devadasi system, viewed as a form of prostitution, and aimed to improve morality, uplift women, and remove stigma associated with nautch girls. Naidu's leadership extended to organizing meetings on idolatry, temperance, and social reform, including support for Gandhi's non-cooperation movement. His legacy includes propagating Raja Rammohan Roy's ideas in Andhra and presiding over Brahmo Samaj centenary celebrations. The article highlights the interplay of missionary influence, elite reform efforts, and Naidu's specific contributions to social and gender reform in Andhra during this period.
Conclusion
The missionary-driven social reform movements of the 19th century, particularly the efforts of Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu, significantly impacted Andhra society by challenging entrenched social evils like the Devadasi system, alcoholism, and gender inequality. Naidu’s leadership in the Social Purity Movement, temperance campaigns, and advocacy for women’s education marked a transformative phase in regional social reform. His work, building on earlier efforts by figures like Kandukuri Veeresalingam, emphasized the upliftment of marginalized groups, particularly nautch girls, while promoting broader societal morality. The establishment of institutions like the Prarthana Samaj and his academic contributions further solidified reformist ideals, leaving a lasting legacy in education and social consciousness. These movements not only addressed immediate injustices but also laid the groundwork for future socio-political awareness, influencing later nationalist and anti-colonial struggles in the region.