Among the prominent figures who awakened and inspired the Padmashali community even before India gained independence, Sri Guntaka Narasayya Pantulu stands out. A true karmayogi, he devoted his entire life to the upliftment of Padmashali weavers. Yet, today’s generation knows very little about this man who tirelessly struggled so that Padmashalis could live with freedom and dignity in society.
Narasayya Pantulu was born in Akkannapet village of Karimnagar taluk, as the tenth child of Guntaka Rajanna and Smt. Sayamma. His family was extremely poor. During the Nizam’s rule, the handloom industry suffered a severe decline, leaving weavers with no work and forcing many into starvation. In such dire circumstances, Rajanna migrated to Ahmednagar in search of livelihood. Even while weaving at the loom, young Narasayya developed a deep interest in studies. He continued his education at night in the home of relatives. Since it was a non-Telugu region, he began teaching Telugu migrant families at night. From then on, people affectionately began calling him “Pantulu” (teacher).
In his youth, Narasayya also became a Harikatha storyteller. In 1922, he married Rukmini. For some years, the couple lived in Mumbai. During this period, Pantulu grew increasingly determined to eradicate the harmful practices prevalent within the Padmashali community and to inspire social reform. In 1932, he wrote, published, and distributed a four-page pamphlet titled Padmashali Pravartana (“Conduct of Padmashalis”). The pamphlet created a sensation among Padmashali communities in Mumbai and nearby regions.
During this time, Pantulu formed a close association with the generous and socially committed Padmashali leader Sri Vaddepalli Vithoba of Sholapur. He also met Sri Pendem Venkataramulu, the author of a book on the weaving industry and a resident of Chirala. Vithoba and Venkataramulu deeply admired Pantulu’s dedication to public service. Through these interactions, Pantulu became increasingly aware of the difficulties Padmashalis faced under the Nizam’s administration. The trio played a pivotal role in establishing the Telangana Padmashali Relief Association.
On December 6, 1937, Pantulu organized the Nizam State Handloom Conference in Manakondur, Nizamabad. He later conducted major Padmashali conferences in Jagityal, Sircilla, and Warangal. It was Pantulu who brought Sri Konda Laxman Bapuji to the forefront of the Padmashali awareness movement.
Pantulu inspired the community through his writings, including Bhrigyadula Prabhavam and Padmashali Kulonnati.
Sri Guntaka Narasayya’s first wife was Smt. Rukmini. After her passing, he married Smt. Indira, with whom he had two sons—Krishnamurthy and Rajaram. Rukmini had earlier given birth to a daughter, Bhadravathi. After Indira’s untimely death, Pantulu married her sister, Smt. Vasanthamma.
Sri Guntaka Narasayya Pantulu passed away on July 7, 1989, at the age of 86. His brother-in-law was Sri Durgam Narsimhulu. His son Krishnamurthy later became a timber merchant.
