Moturu Udayam
Born on October 13, 1924 into a progressive family, she was married at 14 to communist activist Moturu Hanumantha Rao.
Born on October 13, 1924 into a progressive family, she was married at 14 to communist activist Moturu Hanumantha Rao. The couple faced financial hardships and lost two of their children. Udayam worked as daily wage labourer even as she was active in the movement to support her family. In 1948, during second Andhra Mahila Sangam meet, Udayam was arrested for opposing police banishment and sent to Nandigama jail along with 70 other women protesters. After Independence, she worked as a medical representative to support her family. She may well have been the first woman medical representative. Udayam was an artist who performed street plays, songs and burrakatha, an oral storytelling technique. Udayam was elected as first joint secretary in the first Andhra Mahila Sangam meet in 1946. She served for 18 years as state secretary. At AIDWA inaugural meet held in 1981, she was elected Treasurer. Udayam broke stereotypes all her life. In Vijaywada, it was common to see her riding her bicycle, wearing a shirt over her sari. Udayam died in March 2001.
The election battle, and the challenges ahead
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