Viswanatha Satyanarayana

Viswanatha Satyanarayana (10 September 1895 – 18 October 1976) was born to Sobhanadri and Parvathi in the year 1895 at Nandamuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. He is popularly known as the Kavi Samraat (Emperor of Poetry and Emperor of all Poets), was a Telugu writer of the 20th century. His works included poetry, novels, drama, short stories and speeches, covering a wide range of subjects such as analysis of history, philosophy, religion, sociology, political science, linguistics, psychology and consciousness studies, epistemology, aesthetics and spiritualism.

He was a disciple of the Tirupati Venkata Kavulu duo, Diwakarla Tirupathi Sastry and Chellapilla Venkata.Sastry. Viswanatha's style of poetry was classical in nature and his popular works include Ramayana Kalpa Vrukshamu (Ramayana the wish-granting divine tree), Kinnersani patalu (Mermaid songs) and Veyipadagalu (The Thousand Hoods).

He was awarded the Jnanpith Award ^[1] and Padma Bhushan in 1971.

The parallel "free-verse" movement in easy prose of Telugu literature criticized 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.^[2]

School of Thought

Viswanatha was a traditionally trained scholar in several subjects. He was a strong adherent of advaita,^[3] though his learning and mastery extends to several other schools.

History

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.^[4] 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

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.

Veyipadagalu was later translated into Hindi by former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao as Sahasraphan.

Below is a collection of his works.^[5]

Novels

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

• Veyipadagalu (The Thousand Hoods)
• Swarganiki Nicchenalu (Ladders to Heaven)
• Teraci Raju (Checkmate)
• Celiyali Katta (The Seawall)
• Ma Babu (Our Kid)
• Jebu Dongalu (Pickpockets)
• Veera Valladu (Valla the valorous)
• Vallabha Mantri (The Minister Vallabha), after Sardar Vallabhai Patel
• Vishnu Sharma English Chaduvu (Vishnu Sharma Learning English), in which Tikkana and Vishnu Sarma two great literary figures of India attempt to learn English from the author. This parody is a critique of English and its grammar.The Novel is being dramatised and Staged in Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad.in 2006 and made as a tele film by Doordarsanin 2008 and bagged Golden Nandi Award.Dr. G.B. Ramakrishna Sastry acted as Viswanadha Satyanarayana and bagged Nandi Award for Best Acting.
• Pulula Satyagraham (Satyagraha against Tigers)
• Devatala Yuddhamu (The Battle of Gods)
• Punarjanma (Rebirth)
• Pariksha (Test)
• Nandigrama Rajyam (Kingdom of Nandigam)
• Banavati (Black Magic)
• Antaratma (The Conscient Self)
• Ganguly Prema Katha (Love Story of Ganguly)
• Aaru Nadulu (Six Rivers)
• Candavolu Rani (The Queen of Candavolu)
• Pralaya Naidu
• Ha Ha Hu Hu, the name of a horse-faced demigod who does a mythical landing in London
• Mroyu Tummeda (The Humming Bee), an in-depth analysis of Traditional Indian Music, sound and consciousness
• Samudrapu Dibba (Ocean Dune)
• Damayanti Swayamvaram (Swayamvara of Princess Damayanti)
• Neela Pelli (Neela's Wedding)
• Sarvari Nundi Sarvari Daka (From Night to Night)
• Kunaluni Sapamu (The curse of Kunala)
• Ekaveera
• Dharma Chakramu (The Wheel of Righteous Order)
• Kadimi Chettu (A Tree)
• Veera Puja
• Sneha Phalamu (Fruit of Friendship)
• Baddana Senani (The General Baddana)

(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

References