Bible Society of India Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary
A regional Bible Society of India auxiliary that supports Scripture translation and distribution for Telugu, Urdu, Lambadi, and other languages spoken in Andhra Pradesh.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
The Bible Society of India Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary is a regional unit of the Bible Society of India, a Christian Scripture organization involved in Bible translation, publication, distribution, and related language work. The auxiliary serves the linguistic and religious context of Andhra Pradesh, with particular emphasis on Telugu and additional languages used by communities in the state, including Urdu and Lambadi. Its work is primarily institutional and mission-oriented rather than commercial: it helps coordinate translation projects, supports scholars and translators, and makes Scripture resources available through the wider Bible Society network. The auxiliary was historically based at Bible House on Rashtrapathi Road in Secunderabad. It operated from that location from 1951 until 2016, after which it moved to Guntur. The relocation marked a change in administrative base but did not alter the auxiliary's core role within the Bible Society of India's translation and publication structure. The organization is associated with the broader Bible Society presence in India and with the international United Bible Societies network, which provides a wider framework for translation expertise, scholarly review, and Scripture distribution. Telugu translation has been the auxiliary's central linguistic concern. Earlier Telugu Bible work involved translators and revisers connected with the British and Foreign Bible Society and with Christian institutions in the region. The historical translation tradition cited for the Telugu Bible includes the work of John Hay, Edward Pritchett, John Smith Wardlaw, James William Gordon, John Redmond Bacon, and Dhanavada Anantam. A Telugu revision was undertaken in 1953, reflecting the continuing need to update language, style, and textual presentation for contemporary readers. The auxiliary later contributed to efforts to make Telugu Scripture more accessible in modern common language. The Rev. A. B. Masilamani, who had studied Greek at Serampore College, served as Auxiliary Secretary and participated in translation-related stylistic revision. In later periods, The Rev. Victor Premasagar and The Rev. G. Babu Rao were associated with modern Telugu translation work and brought expertise in Biblical Hebrew and Greek. Under the leadership of The Rev. B. G. Prasada Rao, translation teams including The Rev. Suppogu Israel and The Rev. G. Babu Rao worked on modern Telugu portions, including the Book of Ruth and other publications during the 1970s. A broader Telugu common-language Old Testament project was subsequently developed with scholarly input from the United Bible Societies and the Bible Society of India's translation department. A proposal for a Telugu Living Bible was also recorded as early as 1980. The auxiliary has also supported Scripture work in Lambadi, a language associated with Banjara communities. Its most clearly documented Lambadi publication milestone was the release of a Lambadi New Testament on 25 October 1999 at STBC-Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad. The project reflected earlier translation efforts, including work attributed to The Rev. B. E. Devaraj, and assistance from Pastor Lazarus Lalsingh and others involved in the Banjara Christian community. The release was attended by Bible Society and church leaders, including the auxiliary secretary at the time and representatives of the Society's translation administration. Leadership has generally been provided by ordained ministers and theological scholars serving as auxiliary secretaries. The documented succession begins with The Rev. E. Prakasam in the 1950s, followed by The Rev. A. B. Masilamani, The Rev. B. G. Prasada Rao, The Rev. T. B. D. Prakasa Rao, The Rev. L. Prakasam, The Rev. G. Babu Rao, The Rev. N. L. Victor, The Rev. B. S. Rajashekar, and The Rev. K. John Vikram. Available reference material does not establish a current officeholder with sufficient certainty. The auxiliary's present public identity is therefore best understood through its continuing regional translation and Scripture-service function rather than through commercial branding or financial disclosure.
History
The Bible Society of India Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary is a regional auxiliary of the Bible Society of India serving the Scripture and translation needs of Andhra Pradesh. Its work is connected to the wider Bible Society and United Bible Societies systems, particularly in Bible translation, linguistic review, publication, and distribution. The auxiliary's principal linguistic focus has been Telugu, while its remit also includes Urdu, Lambadi, and other minority languages spoken in the state. The auxiliary's institutional history in the region includes a long period in Secunderabad. From 1951 until 2016, it was housed at Bible House on Rashtrapathi Road. In 2016, it moved to Guntur, which is identified as its present location in the available reference material. The move changed the auxiliary's physical base after more than six decades in Secunderabad, but the organization's core translation-support function remained tied to the Bible Society of India's national translation department. Telugu Bible work associated with the region has older roots. Annual reporting by the British and Foreign Bible Society referred to a Secunderabad branch and to revision work connected with the Telugu Bible. The historical translation tradition included John Hay, Edward Pritchett, John Smith Wardlaw, James William Gordon, John Redmond Bacon, and Dhanavada Anantam. A major Telugu revision was recorded in 1953. Later work addressed the need for readable contemporary Telugu and included the contribution of The Rev. A. B. Masilamani, a Greek-trained theologian who served as Auxiliary Secretary and participated in stylistic corrections. During subsequent decades, the auxiliary supported modern Telugu translation initiatives involving scholars such as The Rev. Victor Premasagar and The Rev. G. Babu Rao, both associated with Biblical Hebrew and Greek scholarship. During The Rev. B. G. Prasada Rao's period as Auxiliary Secretary, The Rev. Suppogu Israel and The Rev. G. Babu Rao worked on modern Telugu portions. The Book of Ruth and Man You Cannot Ignore are identified as 1976 examples. The broader Telugu common-language Old Testament effort received scholarly interaction from Graham S. Ogden of the United Bible Societies and involved coordination with Bible Society translation personnel, including G. D. V. Prasad. A Telugu Living Bible was proposed as early as 1980, demonstrating the long-running interest in accessible contemporary-language editions. Lambadi translation represents another significant part of the auxiliary's history. A Lambadi New Testament was released on 25 October 1999 at STBC-Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad. The event included Bible Society representatives and local church leaders. Pastor Lazarus Lalsingh, associated with Badao Banjara Phojer, described efforts that contributed to the project, while earlier Lambadi translation work was attributed to The Rev. B. E. Devaraj. The publication expanded Scripture access for Lambadi-speaking communities and illustrates the auxiliary's role beyond Telugu-language work. The office has been led by a succession of clergy and theological scholars. The documented sequence begins with The Rev. E. Prakasam in the 1950s, followed by The Rev. A. B. Masilamani, The Rev. B. G. Prasada Rao, The Rev. T. B. D. Prakasa Rao, and The Rev. L. Prakasam. The Rev. G. Babu Rao led the auxiliary around the turn of the twenty-first century and was followed by The Rev. N. L. Victor, The Rev. B. S. Rajashekar, and The Rev. K. John Vikram. Exact appointment and departure dates are not established by the supplied sources. The available material also does not identify a current secretary with sufficient certainty.
- 2016
Relocation to Guntur
[1]After approximately 65 years in Secunderabad, the auxiliary moved from Bible House to Guntur.
- 1999
Lambadi New Testament released
[1]The auxiliary participated in the public release of a Lambadi New Testament on 25 October 1999 in Secunderabad.
- 1980
Telugu Living Bible proposal
[1]A proposal for a Telugu Living Bible was documented, reflecting efforts to provide Scripture in accessible contemporary language.
- 1976
Modern Telugu Scripture portions
[1]Modern-language Telugu portions including the Book of Ruth and Man You Cannot Ignore were produced through translation work associated with the auxiliary.
- 1953
Telugu Bible revision
[1]A revision of the Telugu Bible was undertaken within the continuing translation tradition associated with the auxiliary and the Bible Society movement.
- 1951
Secunderabad Bible House period begins
[1]The Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary began the documented period in which it was housed at Bible House on Rashtrapathi Road in Secunderabad.
Products and positioning
A regional, church-linked Scripture translation and distribution organization focused on making the Bible available in the languages used by communities in Andhra Pradesh.
Bible translation
Telugu Bible
The auxiliary's principal language area is Telugu. Its historical work includes revision of an earlier Telugu Bible tradition, stylistic improvement, and support for later versions intended to communicate Scripture in contemporary Telugu. The work has involved translators, theologians, and scholars of Biblical Hebrew and Greek.
Scripture portions · 1976
Modern Telugu Scripture portions
Translation teams associated with the auxiliary produced modern Telugu portions during the 1970s, including the Book of Ruth and Man You Cannot Ignore. These publications formed part of a broader effort to make biblical texts more accessible to readers using contemporary Telugu.
New Testament translation · 1999
Lambadi New Testament
The Lambadi New Testament was released in Secunderabad on 25 October 1999. The project drew on earlier translation efforts and collaboration among Bible Society personnel, local church leaders, and people involved in Banjara Christian ministry.
Language services
Urdu and minority-language Scripture work
The auxiliary supports the Bible Society of India's broader translation remit for languages spoken in Andhra Pradesh beyond Telugu, including Urdu, Lambadi, and other minority languages. Specific editions and publication dates are not fully identified in the supplied sources.
Brand decisions
2016
Move the auxiliary headquarters to GunturStrategyBackground
The auxiliary had operated from Bible House on Rashtrapathi Road in Secunderabad since 1951.
Action taken
The regional office was relocated from Secunderabad to Guntur.
Aftermath
Guntur became the location identified with the Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary in the available reference material.
1999
Publish and release the Lambadi New TestamentProduct launchBackground
The auxiliary and community collaborators had pursued Scripture translation for Lambadi-speaking communities, building on earlier efforts.
Action taken
A Lambadi New Testament was released at STBC-Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad on 25 October 1999.
Aftermath
The release expanded the Bible Society's documented Scripture offering for Lambadi readers.
Recent events
- 2016
Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary relocated from Secunderabad to Guntur[1]
Other
After operating from Bible House on Rashtrapathi Road in Secunderabad since 1951, the auxiliary moved its base to Guntur.
- 1999
Lambadi New Testament released[1]
Product launch
The auxiliary participated in the release of a Lambadi-language New Testament at STBC-Centenary Baptist Church in Secunderabad on 25 October 1999.
- 1976
Modern Telugu Scripture portions produced[1]
Product launch
Translation work associated with the auxiliary produced modern Telugu portions including the Book of Ruth and Man You Cannot Ignore.
Sources2 sources
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