Viswanatha Satyanarayana

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In this
Telugu name, the surname
is Viswanadha.

Viswanadha Satyanarayana
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
OccupationPoet
Period1919–1976
Notable awards
  • Kavisamrat
  • Kalaprapurna
  • Padmabhushan
  • Jnanpith Awardee
SpouseVaralakshmi
Children3
Website
www.viswanadhasatyanarayana.com

Viswanatha Satyanarayana (10 September 1895 – 18 October 1976) was a 20th-century

Veyipadagalu (The Thousand Hoods). Among many awards, he was awarded the Jnanpith Award in 1970, the first for a Telugu writer, and Padma Bhushan in 1971.[2][3]

The parallel "free-verse" movement in easy prose of Telugu literature criticised him as a bigot who hung onto the strict rules of poetry such as Yati, Prasa (rhyme) and

Chandas (meter). However this only covers a part of the wide variety of literature he created. At the same time, there was no contemporary in Telugu literature who could match his depth of the subjects he covered and his mastery of literature. A book with his memories compiled has been released.[4][5]

Early life

Viswanatha Satyanarayana was the son of Shobhanadri, a

Krishna District, Madras Presidency (currently in Unguturu Mandal, Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh
) on 10 September 1895. He went to Veedhi Badi (literal translation: street school) which were recognized informal schools during 19th and early 20th century in India. During his childhood village culture has made a long-lasting impression on Satyanarayana and he learnt a lot from it. Traditional performers of street folk art forms attracted and educated him. These art forms involves story-telling, extempore poetry, music, performance, and dance in different forms. They left deep impression on his thought and story-telling. Bonding among villagers beyond castes and social barriers, beauty of village life were also shaped his thought and ideology later.

His upper primary education shifted to well-known Nobel College in near-by

Bandar at age 11.[6] His father Shobhanadri, who almost lost his wealth due to his charity by then, thought that English-centric education can help his son to get a good living.[7]

He worked as the first principal of Karimnagar Government College (1959–61).[8] Some of Viswanatha’s disciples formed a committee with Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao and Cherakupalli Jamadagni Sarma as Secretaries and organized Sahasra purna chandrodayam celebrations (శ్రీ కవిసమ్రాట్ విశ్వనాథ సహస్ర చంద్రదర్శనశాంతి పౌష్టికోత్సవం) for two days at Vijayawada (14 and 15 September) in 1976. Vedic rituals in the morning followed by Sahithya goshti (meeting) in the evenings marked the occasion.[9]

Historical Novels

Viswanatha was of the view that history is not the story of kings but the narrative that gives one an understanding of the sociological, political, economic, cultural, scientific, spiritual and aesthetic lives of man in a given time, and their evolution.[10] Based on Kota Venkatachalam's chronology Vishwanatha wrote three series of novels depicting all these aspects of ancient and medieval society, along with stories woven around the famous characters of three royal lineages:

  1. Purana Vaira granthamala is a series of 12 novels about the Magadha Royal dynasties after Mahabharata war. In this series, there are two tendencies – Krishna representing Dharma, and Jayadratha representing the darker side of human psyche, the unrighteous side. The primary characters in each of the 12 novels behave under the influence of these two tendencies, each having its temporal victories.
  2. Nepala Rajavamsa caritra is a series of 6 novels about the Nepali Royal dynasties. This series expounds Carvaka school of thought, its intricacies and sub-schools, social life and values influenced by carvakas.
  3. Kashmira Rajavamsa caritra is a series of 6 novels woven around the Royal dynasties that ruled Kashmir.

Literary career

poem of viswanatha satyanarayana about himself

Viswanatha's literary works includes 30 poems, 20 plays, 60 novels, 10 critical estimates, 200 Khand kavyas, 35 short stories, three playlets, 70 essays, 50 radio plays, 10 essays in English, 10 works is Sanskrit, three translations, 100 introductions and forewords as well as radio talks. Some of his poems and novels have been translated into English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu and Sanskrit.

PV Narasimha Rao as Sahasraphan.[11]

Novels

Most of Viswanatha's novels depict evolving social conditions, and involve an in-depth analysis of culture as well as human nature and consciousness.

(The twelve below form Purana Vaira Granthamala Series)

  • Bhagavantuni meeda paga (vengeance against god)
  • Nastika Dhumamu (the smoke of disbelief)
  • Dhumarekha (the line of smoke)
  • Nando raja bhavishyati (Nanda will be the king)
  • Chandraguptuni Swapnamu (Chandragupta's dream)
  • Ashwamedhamu
  • Nagasenudu
  • Helena
  • Puli Muggu (the tiger-rangoli)
  • Amrutavalli
  • Nivedita

(The six below form Nepala Rajavamsa series)

  • Dindu Kindi Poka Chekka (The Betel Nut Under the Pillow)
  • Chitli Chitlani Gajulu (The half broken bangles)
  • Saudamini
  • Lalita Pattanapu Rani (Queen of the town named after Lalita)
  • Dantapu Duvvena (Ivory Comb)
  • Duta Meghamu (Cloud-messenger)

(The six below form Kashmira Rajavamsa series)

  • Kavalalu (Twins)
  • Yasovati
  • Patipettina Nanemulu (The Buried Coins)
  • Sanjeevakarani (The Medicinal Herb)
  • Mihirakula
  • Bhramara Vasini (Goddess of the Humming Bee)

Poetry

  • Srimad Ramayana Kalpavrukshamu ('Ramayana the divine wish-granting tree', the work for which he was awarded Jnanapith)
  • Andhra Pourushamu (The Andhra valor)
  • Andhra Prashasti (Fame of Andhras)
  • Ritu samharamu (ending of the season cycle)
  • Sri Kumarabhyudayamu (emergence of Kumara)
  • Girikumaruni prema geetaalu (love songs of Giri Kumara)
  • Gopalodaharanamu (about Gopala)
  • Gopika geetalu (the gopika's songs)
  • Jhansi Rani
  • Pradyumnodayamu (rise of Pradyumna)
  • Bhramara geetalu (songs of the humming bee)
  • Maa swamy (Our Lord)
  • Ruru charitramu (Story of Ruru)
  • Varalakshmi trishati (300 to Varalakshmi)
  • Devi trishati (in Sanskrit, 300 verses in devotion to the mother goddess)
  • Vishwanatha Panchashati (500 verses to devatas)
  • Vishwanatha madhyaakkaralu (series of poems written in the meter 'madhyaakkara')
  • Veni bhangamu (violating the stream/plat)
  • Sashi duutamu (moon-messenger)
  • Sringara veedhi (the streets of romance)
  • Sri Krishna Sangeetamu (Krishna music)
  • Naa Ramudu (My Rama, an introductory to his concept of Rama expounded in the Kaplavrikshamu)
  • Sivarpanamu (ode to Siva)
  • Dharmapatni (consort)
  • Bhrashta yogi (fallen yogi)
  • Kedara gowla
  • Goloka vasi (the lord of Goloka)

Drama/Plays

  • Gupta Pasupatam (the secret Pasupata, in Sanskrit and rewritten in Telugu)
  • Amrita Sarmistham (in Sanskrit)
  • Anta Natakame (all is drama)
  • Anarkali
  • Kavyaveda Harischandra
  • Talli leni pilla (motherless girl)
  • Trishulamu (the trident)
  • Nartanashala (the dance theater)
  • Pravahamu (the flow)
  • Lopala-bayata (in & out)
  • Venaraju
  • Ashokavanamu
  • Shivaji – roshanara
  • Dhanya kailasamu
  • A collection of 16 short plays

Analysis

  • Kavya Parimalamu (the fragrance of poetry, on aesthetics)
  • Kavyanandamu (analysis of aesthetics)
  • Shakuntalamu yokka abhijnanata (apprisal of Kalidasa's Abhijnana Shakuntalam)
  • Allasani vari allika jigibigi (an apprisal of Peddana's poetry)
  • Okadu nachana somanna (an apprisal of Nachana Somanna's poetry)
  • Nannayyagari prasanna katha kalitartha yukti (an apprisal of Nannayya's poetry)
  • Sitaayaascharitam mahat (great is the story of Sita)
  • Kalpavriksha rahasyamulu (secrets of the Kalpavrikshamu)
  • Vishwanatha sahityopanyasamulu (a collection of speeches on literature)
  • Niti Gita (moral stories)
  • Sahitya Surabhi (a primer on poetry and literature)

Other Writings

  • Kinnerasani Patalu
  • Yati geetamu
  • Kokilamma Pelli
  • Paamu paata
  • Chinna kathalu
  • What is Ramayana to me
  • Atma katha

Awards

Satyanarayana on a 2017 stamp of India
  • He was given the honorific "Kavi Samrat" (emperor of poets).
  • In 1964 Andhra Viswa Kala Parishat gave him the honorific "
    Kalaprapoorna
    ".
  • In 1942 on
    Gudivada he was honored by climbing him on the elephant(gajarohana). 60 years completion celebrations(shashtipoorthi) was also held at Gudivada
    in 1956.
  • Sri Venkateswara University honored him by giving D. Lit. Degree.
  • In 1962
    Kendra Sahitya Academy Puraskaram
    was given for "viswanatha madhyakkaralu".
  • In 1970 he was honored as
    Andhra Pradesh Government
    's laureate.
  • In 1970
    Indian government awarded Padma Bhushan
    .
  • In 1971 he was awarded with Jnanpith Award for his book Ramayana Kalpavruksham. He was the first Telugu writer to receive Jnanpith Award.

References

  1. ^ "Classical Telugu Poetry". publishing.cdlib.org. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  2. Jnanpith Website. Archived from the original
    on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  3. ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. ^ V. Raghavendra (4 January 2014). "Book festival: stall showcasing works of 'Kavi Samrat' a highlight". The Hindu.
  5. ^ "Viswanatha Satyanarayana deserved a Nobel". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 22 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  6. ISSN 0971-751X
    . Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  7. ^ "viswanatha satyanarayana navalalu, telugu navalalu, viswanatha books". 20 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  8. ^ CiNaRe: A pioneer of ‘free verse’ in Telugu literature Archived 30 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine. New Indian Express. 13 June 2017
  9. ^ "Sri Kavisamrat Viswanatha Sahasra Chandradarsana Shanti Poushtikotsavam" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2022.
  10. ^ Introduction to Purana Vaira Granthamala
  11. OCLC 29599405.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link
    )

External links

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