Bulusu Sambamurti

Background

Sambamurti was born on March 4, 1886 in the village of Dulla in Godavari district, Madras Presidency. His father Subbavadhanulu was a Vedic scholar.

Education

Sambamurti had his schooling in his native village and graduated in Physics from Maharajah"s College, Vizianagaram. Sambamurti graduated as a lawyer in 1911 and immediately enrolled in the bar at Cocanada.

Career

He was popularly Known as Maharshi Bulusu Sambamurti. He worked for a short period as a lecturer before pursuing a course in law. When the Non-Cooperation movement broke out in 1920, inspired by a speech by Konda Venkatapayya Pantulu, he gave up his profession and plunged into the Indian freedom struggle.

Sambamurti adopted Gandhian principles and ways of life.

He became one of the first leaders to demand Purna Swaraj (complete independence). In April 1930, he participated in a Salt Satyagraha at Chollangi near Kakinada and was arrested on April 18, 1930 and sent to Vellore jail.

He stood in the 1937 Madras assembly elections and was successful. He served from 1937 till 1942 when he resigned due to the outbreak of the Quit India Movement.

Bulusu Sambamurti was also connected with the Andhrodyamam (Andhra movement) being a hard and active advocate for a separate Telugu Province comprising Telugu areas in Madras Presidency.

When Potti Sriramulu decided to fast unto death at Madras in 1953 on the issue of formation of Andhra province, nobody was prepared to give shelter. Then Sambamurthy placed his residence at his disposal, though all others became beneficiaries later. Potti Sriramulu fasted to death for the state of Andhra.

Sambamurthy took to loin cloth discarding shirt in the true Gandhian style.

Those who adored him earlier, avoided and even ignored him. Hearing about his plight, Govind Ballabh Pant, the then Union minister rendered financial assistance.

He died as a neglected patriot. Sambamurti died on February 2, 1958 at Kakinada at the age of 71.

Achievements

• The Indian National Congress won the elections and Sambamurti was made President of the Madras Legislative Council.

Membership

In 1923, he became a member of the organising committee of the Cocanada session of the Indian National Congress.