Abstract: The subject of this article is the poetry of the Indian educator of the XIX – early XX century Guruzada Apparao. The poet's work reveals his program of the "religion of love", which has become an expression of the educational philosophy of Guruzada. Coming from the circles of the Indian intelligentsia formed under the colonial influence, Guruzada Apparao believed that in relations with the colonialists – the British – one should adhere to "practical patriotism", which assumed effective assistance to the people of the country, and not verbal strife. Guruzada Apparao's poetry is based on civic lyrics, which contain a protest against the ignorance of the Indian people, caste inequality, religious prejudice, and the oppressed position of Indian women. Special attention is paid to the reflection in the poet's work of the activities of the Indian National Congress, the leading political organization in the country, and criticism of its methods of fighting for the empowerment of Indians. The methodological basis of the article is the comparative historical method, with the help of which the specific historical features of Guruzada Apparao's "religion of love" are highlighted. As a result of the conducted research, the author came to the following conclusions: 1) the civil lyrics of Guruzada Apparato were formed in the conditions of the colonial-dependent state of India, which resulted in a significant deterioration in the situation of the Indian people. In this regard, Guruzada's poems trace educational motives, calls for a fight against the ignorance of the people, against the religious prejudices dominating in Indian society. As a result, Guruzada wrote works accessible to the common people, using folk expressions, and became one of the founders of modern Telugu literature. 2) At the same time, Guruzada Apparato stood apart from the leading political forces of the country at that time, in particular, from the Indian National Congress, considering its activities ineffective due to the desire to obtain personal power. 3) The "religion of love", which was one of the main motives of the poet's mature work, fades into the background at the end of his life, giving way to motives of disappointment and lack of agreement.