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Dandolu Chennareddy

(1833 – ★) – (Andhra Pradesh)

Dandolu Chennareddy was born on 1833, Danda-Volu village, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was an activist of the Indian freedom movement. Displeased with the British increasing taxes on his tobacco estate, Chennareddy decided to resist the rule, following the guidance of his brother-in-law Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy. As a result, his estate became a part of British India.

Chennareddy was the head of the Rapuru subdivision (Samantha Raja) and was in charge of 11 villages around Rapuru. He lived in Pokura Palli, a small village near Venkatagiri, which is now a part of Nellore District. He built numerous water ponds and wells for farming and the villagers, which still exist around the Kandaleru Dam. He was a devotee of the Ankamma Talli Goddess Laxmi.

He also served as a revenue minister for Venkatigiri Raja Maharaja Sir Rajagopala Krishna Yachendra. He personalized a popular song in the region, “Auyra Chennappareddy Nee Pera Bangarakaddi…” This song is still popular as a praise song.

Chennareddy belonged to the category of Pakanati Reddy Pakanati group, which includes other well-known figures such as Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and AC Subbareddy.

In the 1950s, Chennareddy’s primary house and cow shelters were transformed into a primary school (up to 5th grade) in Pokurapalli. His farmland and estates were left by his descendants to the relatives and villagers to farm, and later went under the Kandaleru Dam.