Viswanatha Satyanarayana, the Poet Laureate of Andhra Pradesh and winner of Jnaana Peeth Award, is undoubtedly one of the greatest scholar-poets of Andhra Pradesh. He was actively involved in literature even as an an octogenerian with continuous and untiring activity extending over six decades, Viswanatha Satyanarayana has had the good fortune of living in the era of excellent writers of three generations.
Viswanatha Satyanarayana was born on September 10, 1895 in a Vaidiki Shaiva Brahmin family to Shobhanadri and Parvatamma in Nandamuru village, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. His father was a philanthropist and a devotee of Lord Shiva. In 1902, he brought an idol of Shiva Linga from Benaras and built a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Nandamuru. Thus, Lord Sri Visweswara became their family Deity. Viswanatha wife was Varalakshmamma.
He had his primary education in Nandamuru, Indupalli and Pedapadu villages and higher education in Bandaru City. He was lucky to have the great scholar Chellapilla Venkatashastri as his Telugu teacher in Bandaru High School. Pingali and Katuri, the twins, were seniors to him by one year. He too had a poet companion in Kodali Anjaneyulu and some of the earlier compositions came out with the two in one name “Satyanjaneyakavulu” with the pen-name ‘Girikumara.’
After finishing his BA, he joined Bandaru High School as a teacher. He continued his studies part time in the pursuit of MA and graduated from Madras University. He resigned from his teaching position to paticipate in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement. Later he took up various teaching positions at Bandaru National College (1928), Gunturu Christian College till 1933, a private college in Vijayawada 1933 to 1959, and Karimnagar Arts and Science College (1959).
Viswanatha’s style of poetry was classical in nature. The parallel “free-verse” movement in easy prose of Telugu literature criticized him as a bigot who hung onto the strict rules of prosody such as Yati, Prasa and Chandassu . In scholarship and learning he can be classed with ancient scholar-poets. In tradition he is in line with Nannaya, Tikkana and Srinatha, the great masters of Telugu poetry.
Satyanarayana started his career as writer in 1916 with “Visweswara Satakam,” a devotional poetic composition as a tribute to his family Deity Lord Visweswara (The God of the entire World). At the same time, he wrote “Andhra Pourusham,” a patriotic poetical composition. A drama “Dhanya Kailaasam” and a novel “Antaraatma’ are part of his devotional works written by him at that time. He wrote ‘Kinnerasaani’ songs,’ Nartanasaala’, ‘Sringaaraveedhi’, and ‘Anaarkal’i in 1921-23. He wrote his famous composition “Veyipadagalu” in 1933-34 for which he was awarded with titles and awards, such as “Kavi Saamraat (Emperor of Poets)’ and an award by Andhra University. Later he wrote ‘Ramaayana Kalpavriksham,’ Paamu paata’, ‘Pillala Ramaayanamu’ etc.
Andhra Pradesh Government felicitated him with various awards for his literary contribution. Telugu People felicitated him in 1942, during Sankraanti festival with an elephant ride and celebrated his 60th birthday festival in 1956 in Gudiwada. He served as vice president of Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy in 1957 and as a nominated member of Legislative Council in 1958. Andhra University celebrated his achievements by awarding him with “Kalaa Prapoorna” title in 1964. The Government of India honored him with “Jnaan Peeth” award for his Ramaayana Kalpavriksham in 1971 and the Andhra Pradesh government honored him by hiring him as the State Poet.
He wrote scores of novels, radio plays and critical features.He was notoriously famous for his inflammatory speeches wherever invited, He aroused jealousy as well as admiration in the Telugu literary world. His “Nannayagari Prasanna Katha Kalitartha Yukti” struck a new path in the realm of literary criticism. By this time’ Ayodhyakanda’ was also completed. As a result he stood aloft as a pillar of traditional poetry. Many writers, young and old, earnestly solicited his opinion and forewords for their much-cherished literary compositions. The opinions he expressed and the forewords he wrote stand out as masterpieces of criticism. To a superficial observer some of his important works smack of obsolescence as they are based on religion, tradition and superstition. Some say his works are devoid of modern social awareness and progressive outlook. It is true, if modernism means atheism and political opportunism. Whether old or modern, his works stand for eternal truths and godliness clothed in various literary forms. He was sometimes sharp, pungent, frank and very strong in his literary outbursts. It is this quality which has made him lose many friends.and it is the same quality which helped gather his staunch followers and disciples. But in general his friends and foes alike agree on one point, that he was some superhuman, tempestuous and titanic poetic genius. In his own words he is a “Yugabhrashta.”
Viswanatha was the first Telugu to receive the federal Jnaana Peeth award. He also received Padma Bhushan title from Indian Govt in 1970. He won the Central Sahitya Academy award in 1963. Viswanatha passed away on 18th October, 1976 leaving behind more than one hundred works that include poetic compositions (15), Satakas (6), Song collections (13), Dramas (20), Novels (60), Sanskrit dramas (10), literary criticisms (10), and many essays and radio speeches.
Some of the famous writings of Viswanatha are .
• Aru Nadulu
• Akasa Raju
• Amrita Sharmisthan
• Andhra Prasasthi
• Anarkali
• Anta Naatakame
• Antaratma
• Beddanna Senani
• Bhramara vaasini
• Bhrashta Yogi
• Chandra guptuni swapnam
• Cheliyali Katta
• Chitlee Chitlani Gaajulu
• Dharma Chakramu
• Dhanya kailaasam (a drama)
• Dhooma Rekha
• Eka Veera
• Girikumaruni Prema Geetalu
• Gupta Pasupatamu
• Jebu Dongalau
• Jhansi Rani
• Kadimi Chettu
• Kasmira rajatarangini
• Kinnerasani Patalu
• Kokilamma Pelli
• Lopala Bayata
• Ma Babu
• Mihirakuludu
• Mudu Taralau
• Nartanasala
• Pravahamu
• Purana vaira grandha mala
• Pulula Satyagrahamu
• Punarjanma
• Sasidutam
• Satyagrahamu
• Sri Krishna Sangeetamu
• Srimad Ramayana Kalpa Vrikshamu
• Sringara Veedhi
• Swarganiki Nichhenalu
• Trisulam
• Tallileni Pilla
• Varalakshmi Trisati
• Vishnu Sarma Englishu Chaduvu
• Visweswara Satakam
• Veyi Padagalu
• Veera valladu
• Vena Raju
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