Some Press Opinions on the First Edition
... Mr. Appa Row is, apparently, a man of original ideas in literary matters ... He has wisely and happily discarded for the purposes of his comedy the unnatural, stilted, pedantic, literary dialect so much beloved of Telugu Pandits, and so unduly prized by them, and employed, instead, the simple, ordinary language of common life now in use among all classes of the population in the Northern districts of this Presidency. The book, therefore, marks a new and bold departure in Telugu dramatic composition, or for the matter of that, in Telugu composition in general. ... The literary tendencies of the present time running, as they do, in such a narrow groove, and being of so stereotyped a character, it speaks very highly, we think, for our author's literary courage, a courage bordering on audacity, that he has been able to set at naught the absurd literary canons of this degenerate age and risen above the prevalent grammatical and literary superstitions in regard to Telugu composition. But, not only has he thus boldly used a new literary diction which, though unsanctified by existing usage among authors, bears the stamp and seal of popular approval and universal use; but he has likewise shown unmistakable merit in constructing a singularly original and interesting plot and creating a variety of characters true to life, which, we are sure, if represented on the stage, will greatly please any Telugu audience, let alone the reading public who may peruse the drama in the retirement of the study or the library. We have, therefore, much pleasure in recommending "Kanyasulkam" to all our Telugu readers. ... The characters are all boldly drawn and the whole piece is very happily put together and artistically constructed, evincing no little originality and dramatic skill on the part of the author.- The People's Friend, January 21, 1897.
Kanyasulkam ought to be widely read. It is very agreeable reading - and we have read it almost at one sitting. But the naturalness of expression and the skill of plot are the least of its merits. It holds the mirror up to nature. ... Such is the plot of Kanyasulkam. And what scope it affords for the representation of Indian character in its various aspects, needs scarcely to be pointed out. Nor has Mr. Appa Row wasted his opportunities.....The Weekly Review, March 27, 1897.
The piece, besides displaying much incident and humour, possesses the very necessary element of characterization, a trait often conspicuous by its absence in our old plays.- The Telugu Harp.
The play has been acted several times, and judging from the large audience which crowded the theatre on each occasion, the author must be congratulated upon the success which the exhibition of his work produced.- The East Coast News.
The plot is well conceived and skillfully worked out. The characters are all aptly chosen.- The Indian Journal of Education.
