Viswanatha Satyanarayana (10 September 1885 – 18 October 1976) was a 20th-century Telugu writer. His works included

poetry Poetry (derived from the Greek ''poiesis'', "making"), also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre − to evoke meanings i ...

, novels, dramatic play,

short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...

and

speeches This list of speeches includes those that have gained notability in English or in English translation. The earliest listings may be approximate dates. Before the 1st century *c.570 BC : Gautama Buddha gives his first sermon at Sarnath *431 ...

, covering a wide range of subjects such as analysis of

history History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

, philosophy,

religion Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatural, ...

sociology Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of empirical investigation an ...

political science Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and la ...

linguistics Linguistics is the science, scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure ...

psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries between ...

and

consciousness studies Consciousness, at its simplest, is sentience and awareness of internal and external existence. However, the lack of definitions has led to millennia of analyses, explanations and debates by philosophers, theologians, linguisticians, and scien ...

epistemology Epistemology (; ), or the theory of knowledge, is the branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge. Epistemology is considered a major subfield of philosophy, along with other major subfields such as ethics, logic, and metaphysics. Epis ...

aesthetics Aesthetics, or esthetics, is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art (its own area of philosophy that comes out of aesthetics). It examines aesthetic values, often expressed t ...

and

spiritualism Spiritualism is the metaphysical school of thought opposing physicalism and also is the category of all spiritual beliefs/views (in monism and Mind-body dualism, dualism) from ancient to modern. In the long nineteenth century, Spiritualism (w ...

. He was a student of the illustrious Telugu writer Chellapilla Venkata Sastry, of the

Tirupati Venkata Kavulu Tirupati Venkata Kavulu ( Poets Tirupati & Venkata) refers to the Telugu poet duo Divakarla Tirupati Sastry (1872–1919) and Chellapilla Venkata Sastry (1870–1950). These twin poets are acclaimed as the harbingers of modern poetry in Telugu ...

duo. Viswanatha's wrote in both a modern and classical style, in complex modes. His popular works include ''Ramayana Kalpa Vrukshamu'' (

Ramayana The ''Rāmāyana'' (; sa, रामायणम्, ) is a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic composed over a period of nearly a millennium, with scholars' estimates for the earliest stage of the text ranging from the 8th ...

the wish-granting divine tree), ''Kinnersani Patalu'' (

Mermaid In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. Mermaids are sometimes ass ...

songs) and the novel ''

Veyipadagalu Veyi Padagalu (pronunciation: veɪjɪ pədəgɑlʊ, English: "A Thousand Hoods") is an epic Telugu novel written by Viswanatha Satyanarayana. It is a critically acclaimed work of 20th century Telugu literature and has been called "a novel of To ...

'' (The Thousand Hoods). Among many awards, he was awarded the

Jnanpith Award The Jnanpith Award is the oldest and the highest Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature". Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on Indian w ...

in 1970, the first for a Telugu writer, and

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service ...

in 1971. 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 Sanskrit prosody or Chandas refers to one of the six Vedangas, or limbs of Vedic studies.James Lochtefeld (2002), "Chandas" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, , page 140 It is the study of poetic metr ...

(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.

Early life

Viswanatha Satyanarayana was the son of Shobhanadri, a

Brahmin Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers (gur ...

landlord, and his wife Parvathi. He was born in their forefathers' place Nandamuru, Krishna District, Madras Presidency (currently in Unguturu Mandal, Krishna district in

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...

) on 10 September 1885. 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. 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. He worked as the first principal of Karimnagar Government College (1959–61). Some of Viswanatha’s disciples formed a committee with

Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao (7 February 1921 – 16 October 1991) was a Telugu language, Telugu poet, novelist, literary critic, philosophical journalist, writer of English prose and an exponent of Mantra, Mantra Shastra and tradition. His work ...

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.

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. Based on

Kota Venkatachalam Kota or KOTA may refer to: People and languages *Kōta (given name), a masculine Japanese given name *Kota Brahmin, a sub-caste of Brahmins in Karnataka *Kota people (India), a tribe in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu, South India **Kota language ...

'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: # ''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. # ''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. # ''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 Hindi ( Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been ...

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
'' Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...

. ''

'' was later translated into

by former Prime Minister

PV Narasimha Rao Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 December 2004) was an Indian lawyer, statesman and politician who served as the 9th prime minister of India from 1991 to 1996. He is known for introducing various liberal reforms to Indi ...

as Sahasraphan.

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 Thousand Hoods) * Swarganiki Nicchenalu (Ladders to Heaven) * Terachi Raju (Checkmate) * Cheliyali Katta (The Seawall) * Maa Babu (Our babu(babu is a word that suits for son, dad and owner)) * Jebu Dongalu (Pickpocketers) * 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 won the Golden Nandi Award.Dr. G.B. Ramakrishna Sastry acted as Viswanadha Satyanarayana and secured the Nandi Award for Best Acting. * Pulula Satyagraham (Tigers Satyagraha) * Devatala Yuddhamu (The Battle of Gods) * Punarjanma (Rebirth) * Pariksha (Exam) * Nandigrama Rajyam (Kingdom of Nandigam) * Banavati * Antaratma (The Conscient Self) * Ganguly Prema Katha (Ganguly's Love Story) * Aaru Nadulu (Six Rivers) * Chandavolu Rani (The Queen of Chandavolu) * Pralayanaadu * 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 Ekaveera ( Telugu: ఏకవీర) is an Indian novel written by Kavi Samrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu language. It was penned between 1929–31 and was published in Bharathi magazine in 1935. Originally written in Telugu, it has sin ...

(The sacred Love of two warriors) * Dharma Chakramu (The Wheel of Righteous Order) * Kadimi Chettu (A Tree) * Veera Puja * Sneha Phalamu (Fruit of Friendship) * Baddana Senani (The General Baddana) (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 Mihirakula (Gupta script: , ''Mi-hi-ra-ku-la'', Chinese: 摩酰逻矩罗 ''Mo-hi-lo-kiu-lo''), sometimes referred to as Mihiragula or Mahiragula, was the second and last Alchon Hun king of northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent betwee ...

* Bhramara Vasini (Goddess of the Humming Bee)

Poetry

* Srimad Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu ('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

Viswanatha Satyanarayana 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

Sankranthi Makar(a) Sankranti (), also referred to as Uttarayana, Maghi, or simply Sankranti, is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of January 14 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sag ...

Gudivada Gudivada is a city in Krishna district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and the headquarters of Gudivada mandal in Gudivada revenue division. It is one of the cities in the state to be a part of Andhra Pradesh Capital ...

he was honored by climbing him on the elephant(gajarohana). 60 years completion celebrations(shashtipoorthi) was also held at

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 The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, ...

awarded

. * In 1971 he was awarded with

for his book ''Ramayana Kalpavriksham''. He was the first Telugu writer to receive

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Satyanarayana, Viswanadha 1895 births 1976 deaths Telugu poets Telugu writers People from Krishna district 20th-century Indian poets Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Telugu Recipients of the Jnanpith Award Indian male poets Poets from Andhra Pradesh 20th-century Indian male writers