Rayalaseema

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the region marked in green

Rayalaseema (Telugu: రాయలసీమ)is a geographic region in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It includes the districts of Kurnool, Kadapa (formerly known as 'Cuddapah'), Anantapur, Chittoor, parts of Prakasam and Nellore districts. Bellary district of the present day Karnataka was part of Rayalaseema till the states were reorganized. The usage of the word and identification to a geographic area is relatively recent (early 20th century).

The word "Rayalaseema" means the land ruled by Sri Krishnadevaraya. Although Rayalaseema is a relatively small region compared to the rest of Telugu speaking regions, its contribution to Telugu arts, culture and literature was immense.

1 Culture
2 Literature
3 Music
4 Pilgrimage
5 Tourism
6 Spirituality
7 Culture and Politics
8 See also
9 External links
10 Sources

[edit] Culture

Amongst Trilingas, Srisailam is the foremost amongst them is in Rayalaseema. The first settlement of Telugus is said to be in Rayalaseema Religion. The oldest written inscription ShilaShaasanam bearing the word Andhra Pathamu has been found in Bellary region (present day Karnataka).

[edit] Literature

Telugu culture reached its zenith during the Vijayanagara rule under Sri Krishnadevaraya. Amongst Ashta Diggajas, Allasani Peddana, Dhoorajati, Nandi Timmana, Maadayyagari Mallana and Ayyalaraju RamaBhadrudu are from this region.

Recent notable scholor from the region is Saraswati Putra Puttaparthi Narayanacharyulu.

[edit] Music

Tyagaraja - Hailed from Kakarla in Rayalaseema region.

Syama Sastri - Originated from Rayalaseema region.

Annamayyaacharaya - Apart from the all too famous songs on Sri Venkateswara, an interesting mention of the lullaby Chandamama Raave, jaabilli raave, which every Telugu mother sings.

SriPada Pinakapani - Settled in Kurnool (21st Century). He is guru of other Telugu stalwarts like Oleti Venkateswarlu, Nedunuri Krishnamurti, Nookala Chinna Satya Narayana, Malladi Brothers and others.

[edit] Pilgrimage

Rayalaseema has many important places of pilgrimage for Telugu people, Kannadigas and Tamils.

Tirupati - Abode of Lord Venkateswara.
Srisailam - Abode of Mallikarjuna (Lord Shiva).
Ahobilam - Where Narasimha blessed Prahlada.
Srikalahasti- Teple of Lord Shiva
Mahanandi- Saiva temple
Yaganti eswara
Mantralayam - One of the most important pilgrim places for Madhva sect of Brahmins.
Puttaparti - Abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba.

[edit] Tourism

BELUM: - Near Banaganapalli; Famous for large underground caves.

[edit] Spirituality

Yogi Vemana - Poet

Sri Pothuluri Veerabramhendra Swamy - Poet and clairvoyant.

Ganapati Sachchidananda Swami vaaru of Avadhoota Datta Peetham - Spiritual leader.

Puttaparti Satya Sai baba - Spiritual and religious savant.

Jiddu Krishnamurti - Philosopher.

Subhash Patri

[edit] Culture and Politics

Rayalaseema is widely thought to be underdeveloped compared to the Coastal Andhra regions of the state. The growing movement in Telangana to secede from Andhra Pradesh, as well as southern India's long drought have caused several movements to coalesce around Rayalaseema's grievances. All of these movements are calling for greater official attention for the region, especially in the form of new water projects to harness the Krishna and Godavari rivers to the aid of the region's beleaguered farmers. If nothing is done in this respect, the secession of Telangana would almost certainly precepitate matters in Rayalaseema, especially if other demands, such as moving the capital of Andhra Pradesh to Rayalaseema, and for a stronger state commitment to regional development, are not met. Congress MP Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy of Kurnool, who hopes to unite the Rayalaseema movements, advocates the inclusion of Nellore and Prakasam districts of Coastal Andhra and even the Kannada-speaking district of Bellary in Karnataka into a separate Rayalaseema state.

Various organizations like Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika are demanding the establishment of second capital in Kurnool. Kurnool is an important city in the Rayalaseema region. It was the Capital of Andhra State from 1 October 1953 to 1 November,1956 and at present is the headquarters of Kurnool District.

Rayalaseema is also the name of one of the 22 Dioceses of the Church of South India.

The name Rayalaseema was named in 1928 by Gadicherla Hari Sarvottama Rao, a famous freedom fighter in the Rayalaseema Region. Before 1928, the area was called as Guttha Seema (Ceded).

Though the area comprises 4 to 5 districts, several chief ministers came from this region. They include current Chief Minster Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Nara Chandrababu Naidu,Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy,Damodaram Sanjeevaiah and Neelam Sanjivareddy