Background
He was born in a Brahmin family on 29 December 1901 to Gopalakrishnaiah and Mahalaxmamma in Rajam, near Bobbili, Andhra Pradesh.
He was born in a Brahmin family on 29 December 1901 to Gopalakrishnaiah and Mahalaxmamma in Rajam, near Bobbili, Andhra Pradesh.
Famous for his witty and romantic lyrics, he also wrote dialogues for many movies. Patala Bhairavi, Mayabazar and Missamma are some of his best known works. Pingali is famous for his coining of new and funny words and phrases in Telugu such as Dhimbaka, Dingari, Gimbali.
Because most of his relatives are settled in Machilipatnam, their family migrated there.
He did a course in Mechanical Engineering from the Andhra Jateeya Kalasala, Machilipatnam. He joined Indian independence movement and wrote Janma Bhoomi as his first literary work.
He was arrested for the same. He was union leader of the labour association there.
During this period, he translated Dwijendralal Ray"s Mebar Patan (1922) as Mevadu Rajyapatanam and Pashani (1923) from Bengali into Telugu language.
His independent work during the same time was Jebunnisa. All the three dramas were published in Krishna Patrica. He joined Indian National Congress and as pracharak toured the entire country and reached Sabarmati Ashram.
He came back to Machilipatnam and joined Indian Dramatic Company of Devarakonda Venkata Subbarao in 1924 as writer and secretary.
He wrote Vindyarani play in 1928 based on the Dubois of Padua of Oscar Wilde, Naa Raju play based on the history of Sri Krishnadevaraya, Maro Prapancham social play and Rani Samyukta historical play. Pingali Nagendra Rao was considered a magician with words.
The legendary writer died on 6 May 1971. All of Pingali Nagendra Rao"s plays were reprinted recently in a book titled Pingaleeyam.
Aaduvaari maatalaku ardhaale veerule
Raagamuloo anuraagamu chindina jagamee ooyalaloogadatee
Laahiri laahiri laahiriloo, ohoo jagamee voogenugaa
Baala kumaarulanta, chaalaa sukumaarulanta, pellikoduku nannu choosi, murisi moorcha povunanta
Ourouraa gaarelalla ayyaare boorelilla, oo hoo ree ariselilla ahaahaa ahaahaa, iyella naake chella
Brundaavanamadi andaridi goovinduDu andari vaadeele, endukee raadha eesu nasooyalu andamulandari aanandamulee
Raavooyi chandamaama maa vintha gaadha vinumaa.