117 

 

The period of 14th to 16th centuries is marked as the age of Telugu

works in the field of Telugu literature. The poets in this period launched a

literary movement. Many literary works in Telugu were composed in this

period with the influence of Vira Saiva movement of Karnataka on the

religious basis and also with the help of Nannechoda in Andhradesa. His

work was the first Telugu Kavya which dealt with the birth of Kumara in

Kumara Sambhavamu1. Thus his influence in the contemporary society led

to establish religious faith in Andhradesa. Hence, in the period was

produced numerous philosophical and religious works. Most of the poets,

writers and authors wrote their works in Telugu language. So, the growth of

Telugu literature from 14th century to 16th centuries has been discussed in

this chapter according to the dynasty wise that ruled in the above mentioned

period.

At the end of the 13th century A.D, where we begin our survey, a

great stir in Telugu literature was about to set. It was the poet Tikkana

Somayaji who is reckoned as one of the greatest poets of Telugu along with

Nannaya Bhattu. These two and Errapraggada, then great men translated

the Sanskrit Mahabharata into Telugu and created a national epic for the

Andhras. Tikkana Somayaji laid down his pen about 1290 A.D. At this time

there arose in Tilangana a meteoric Saivaite poet, Palkuriki Somanatha2. So

the scholars assign him to the period earlier than Tikkana Somayaji. Many

modern critics assign him to the close the 13th century A.D. This was the

time when Vira Saivism a sect of Saivism emanated from its home in the

118 

 

Kannada country and spread with vigour into Telugu region. It had a Vedic

part and a non Vedic part. The Kakatiya King Prathaparudra-II (r.1296-

1326) was himself a devout Saiva but he belonged to the Vedic school of

Saivism3. Besides the literary works produced for the spread of Saivism,

the Vaishnavism also gained slow popularity in this period in general and

prevailed vigorously in the beginning of 16th century A.D. Particularly

Vaishnavism introduced a new form of the devotional poetry and perfected

it. This is what is called Vinnapamulu (Devotional appeals). They are in the

form of poetic prose and hence they are called Vachanamulu. Though in

prosaic form; they are set to some kind of music and song. The first Telugu

poet who brought into vogue this type of devotional composition was a

Vaishnava devotee Krishnamachari in this period. His devotional lyrics are

known as Simhagiri-Vachanamulu. He belonged to the times of

Prataparudra-II (r.1296 -1326). The Vachana literature beginning with

Basava Vachanas is well known in the Kannada language. It is quite

possible that Krishnamachari borrowed this form from Kannada into

Telugu. Credit must however go to him for bringing it into Telugu. This

type of devotional lyrics was perfected in the 16thcentury by the famous

Tallapaka poets, who were the leaders of Vaishnava thought4.

Poets under the patronization of rulers:

(a). In the period of the Musunurinayakas:

Though they were busy to regain their lost territories and establish

their kingdom, they had leisure to patronize poets, writers and authors for

119 

 

the progress of Telugu language and literature. But very scanty information

was available for the poets of this period.

Madiki Singana (1400 A.D-1440 A.D): He composed

Padmapurananottara khandamu in around 1420 A.D and also composed a

dvipada work called Bhagavata dasamaskandhamu. He dedicated these

two works to Veligandala Kandayamatya who flourished in the court of

Masunurinayakas5. His other works are Vasishtha Ramayanamu and

Sakalaniti sammatamu. The former was dedicated to the god

Narasimhasvami at Ahobalam (Kurnool District)6. The Sakalaniti

sammatamu is an anthology and is the first anthology in Telugu and it was

a composition of moral work. Vasishtha Ramayanamu, also known as yoga

Vasishtamu, is a work on Vedanta. Both Padmapuranottara Khandamu and

Bhagavata dasamaskandhamu gained significance only during 1450 A.D -

1475 A.D7.

Baddena (1250 A.D-1300 A.D): He lived in the court of Singama Nayaka-

II (r. 1326-1361) and enjoyed the patronization of the king and wrote

Nitisastra Muktavali.

In the period of the Velamas:

A number of poets and writers lived in this period and produced

works in Telugu language as well as in Sanskrit. Some of them received

royal patronage and some of them were not received royal patronage and

lived indecently. Among the poets of this period, the poet Bammera Potana

120 

 

stood most outstanding figure of the time and became familiar with his

literary works.

Bammera Potana (or) Bammera Potaraju (1450 A.D -1510 A.D): He

was born in a Niyogi brahmin family in the village of Bammera, of 20 miles

away from Warangal (Andhrapradesh). His father was Kesanna and mother

Lakshmamma. He flourished in the period of Sarvagna Singhabhupala-III

(r.1425-1475). He was considered to be natural poet (Sahaja Kavi) needing

no teacher. He was known to be very polite and was an agriculturist by

occupation. Though he was a great scholar, he never hesitated to work in the

agricultural fields8. He wrote Bhagavata in Telugu known as Andhra Maha

Bhagavata and was a contemporary of Srinatha, who lived in this period. It

is said that the two were related to each other9. The poet hails from

Bammera village and is associated with the town of Warangal territory

belonged to the rulers of the Velamas10. Besides Andhra Mahabhagavata,

his another small piece of work Bhogini Dandakamu is an erotic

composition, eulogizing a Bhogini woman of Sarvagna Singabhupala-III

(r.1425 -1475) of Rachakonda11. Potana developed philosophical trend of

mind after the completion of his Andhra Mahabhagavata. He exclaims,

instead of dedicating the Bhagavata to wicked kings for the sake of lucre,

lands and other honors, he decided to dedicate his work to the god. So he

dedicated the Bhagavata to the god Shrihari or god Vishnu12. His other

works include Veerabhadra Vijayamu, and Narayanashaatakamu13. He

therefore chose the hard path of poverty and Independence. One more

121 

 

interesting thing about him is his broad tolerance of spirit. He declares

himself a Saivaite by family tradition but his life work is Bhagavata which

deals with the greatness of Vishnu14. The message of Bhagavata is

essentially the message of bhakti, devotion to the lord and surrender of the

ego to him. The devotee does not assume any violation to himself in action

or thought, but places himself completely at the mercy of Vishnu. God

mercy alone is the cause of deliverance or otherwise from the thrown of the

cycle of births and deaths15. His work introduced the message of advaita,

the philosophy of salvation through spiritualized love. Essentially it is a

great song of devotion in describing situations of devotion. Bammera

Potana forgets himself and surrenders himself to his poetic imagination.

His poetry rises to great heights in the Telugu literary works. The

Bhagavata contains the anecdotes of Dhruva, the royal child, of Prahalada,

son of Hiranyakasaypudu the king of Rakshasas, of the elephant which

appealed in distress to the lord, the Gopikas who chose to attain salvation

through love, of Kuchela the Brahman in rags, and numerous other stories

made Potana’s fame immortal16.

Koravi Goparaju (1430 A.D-1490 A.D): He lived in this period and

composed Simhasana Dvatrimsika. The theme of the work was similar to

the themes like Vikramarka chaitramu of Peramraju Jakkana. It is a Kavya

(long poem) and contains the cultural life of the people of 15th century A.D

in Andhra region17.

122 

 

Gaurana Matya (or) Gaurana (1380 A.D-1450 A.D): He flourished in

the period of Singaya Madava nayaka of Devarakonda who was a

subordinate chief of Rachakonda Velamas. His father was Ayyalaraya. He

wrote two interesting works. One is based on the story of Harischandra the

embodiment of truth and Virtue and the other Navanatha Charitra18. It is

the stories of the nine prominent Nathas of the Natha tradition (Tantrism),

but mainly the story of Minanatha, a Saiva teacher. It also deals with the

tale of Sarangadhara and gave message of an oedipal of step-mother-son’s

love and also contains social norms in family life, deceitful of the nature of

the women. The oedipal conflict between father and the son and

consequences of the violation of the accepted social norms and practices in

the sex and the family life19. His work was dedicated to god

Mallikharjunasvami of Srisailam at Kurnool District20.

Ananta matya (1434 A.D): He was the native of the present Krishna

District lived in this period. His father was Tikkana21. He wrote two works

Bhoja Rajeeyam and Chando darpanamu. The former deals with the story

of truthful Cow and Tiger which stood for moral values in the period of the

king Bhoja Maha Raja (r. 1000-1055), the famous patron of Sanskrit

literature. The later one is a work on prosody and proverbs22.

Manchana (14thcentury): He lived in this period and was the native of

Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry, East Godavari District). He composed

Keyurabahu Charitra and it was dedicated to the minister Gundana who

worked in the court of Kakatiyas, was a contemporary to him23.

123 

 

In the period of the Reddies:

The period witnessed a number of famous Telugu poets who

produced works in Telugu language.

Eerrapragada (1300 A.D-1350 A.D): He flourished in the court of

Prolaya Vema Reddi (r.1325–1353) completed the Telugu Mahabharatha.

He was a native of Gudluru in present Prakasm District. His parents are

Suryanarayana, Potamambika24. A small portion of the Telugu

Mahabharatha, Aranya parva was accidentally left over by the two great

poets Nannaya and Tikkanna. Yerrapragada considered it his duty to

complete it as a mark of veneration to his great predecessors. He dedicated

the completed portion of Telugu Mahabharatha to the king Prolaya Vema

Reddi25. Besides these, he composed two more works Harivamsa and

Nrisimha purana. The work Harivamsa deals with the incarnation god

Vishnu and the other work Nrisimha purana which mainly glorifies

Ahobalam (Ahobilam), a holy place in the Kurnool District. Just like many

Sthalamahatmyam is also treated as a Sthala purana story of Ahobalam.

Because of this he had a title Prabhandha Parameswarudu. Hence he was

a poet of high order next in rank to Nannaya and Tikkanna26.

Krishna Macharyudu (1325 A.D-1365 A.D): He was the first Vachana

Kavya (prose) composer of Telugu literature lived in the period of

Prataparudra-II (r. 1296-1323). He composed Simhagiri Narahari

Vachanamulu. This is a work of praise on god to be read in singing in front

124 

 

of the god. This is a Vaishnavite devotional literature reminiscent of the

Saivite literature of the 12th century A.D27.

Appanna Manthri: He lived in the same period, composed Charucharya

a work on medicine. It gave medical instructions for a healthy daily routine

life of the people28.

Srinatha (1385 A.D-1475 A.D): He flourished in the court of Peda

Komati Vema Reddi (r.1402-1420). He dominates the literary field for

more than fifty years in the beginning of the 15th century A.D. He

composed fifteen works in Telugu such as (1) Vaishnava Purana (2)

Naishadhiya charitra (3) Haravilasamu (4) Bhimeswara Puranamu (5)

Kasikandamu (6) Sivaratri Mahatmayamu (7) Sidheswara Charitramu (8)

Palnati Veera Charitramu (9) Sthala Puranamu (10)

Sringaranaishadhamu (11) Maruttaratcharitra (12) Shalivahana Saptashati

(13) Panditaradhya Charitra (14) Kshetra Mahatyamu (15) Godavari

Khanda. Except Palnati Veera Charitra the themes of these works are

Saivates in essence. Palnati Veera Charitra is a ballad dealing with the

battle of Palnadu (a place in present Guntur District and known in the same

name at present days also). The ballad describes the local history and the

battle between the Saiva and Vaishnava, the religious groups from the

warrior families of Padmanayakas of Palnadu. Among his works Sringara

naishadhamu was dedicated to Mummadi Singana, a minister of Peda

Komati Vema Reddi (r.1402-1420). Similarly Kasi Khandamu was

dedicated to Veerabhadra Reddi (r.1423-1440), king of

125 

 

Rajahmahendravaram and Sivaratri Mahatyamam was dedicated to a

pontiff of Saiva matha of Sri Sailam. Thus the works of Srinatha contain

the themes of Saivite in nature which gave full information regarding the

locations of the Saiva temples in and around of the Andhra region. Srinatha

defeated the Gauda poet Dindima Battu in a controversy at the court of

Deva Raya-II (r.1425-1447) and honored with the title Kaviratna. Thus his

literary works record the political and socio-cultural conditions of the

contemporary society of this period besides the religious essence29.

Vamanabhattu or Banabhattu (14th century): He flourished in the court

of the Anavema Reddi (r.1364-1386). He wrote two works Sringara

bhushana bana and Hamsa Sandesam30.

Pasupati Naganada kavi (14th century): He lived in the period of the

same king wrote Madana Vilasabanam31.

In the period of the Vijayanagar:

The period was an age of Telugu Renaissance. Many scholars and

poets lived in this period and well patronized by the kings and the nobles of

the period. Some of the eminent scholars such as Madhava Charya,

Vidhyaranya, Vedanta desika, Thatha Charya, Vyasaraya theerdha and

Appayya deekshitha who flourished in this period were patronized by the

Rayas. They produced works in Sanskrit which explain the political, socio-

cultural conditions of the society that existed. Besides these Sanskrit

scholars a number of Telugu poets flourished in this period and received

126 

 

Rayal patronization. The first Telugu poet of this period was Nachana

Somanatha.

Nachana Somanatha (1300 A.D-1380 A.D): He was a court poet of

Bukka Raya-I (r.1355-1377). He wrote a poem called Uttara Hari

Vilasamu or Harivamsamu. It tells the story of three generations of the

Vijayanagar dynasties32.

Sarada: She lived in the court of Deva Raya-II and enjoyed the

patronization of the king and wrote 18 Dramas and two Prakrit works33.

Jakkanna (1380A.D-1480A.D): He lived in the period of the same king

wrote Vikramarka Charitra. It is a fiction story of the Chandra Gupta-II of

the Gupta dynasty who ruled Ujjain as his capital34.

Duggapalli Duggana (15thcentury): He flourished in the court of Saluva

Narasimha Raya (r. 1485 A.D – 1493 A.D) and enjoyed the patronization of

the king and wrote Kanchi Mahatmyam and dedicated it to the

Devarayamatya, a cousin of Gangayamatya. He was a minister of the chief

Basavaraja of Udayagiri fort35.

Dubagunta Narayana kavi (15th century): He lived in the period of the

same king wrote Panchatantram.

Pillalamarri Pinaveera Bhadra (15th century): He was in the court of

Saluva Narasimha Raya (r. 1485-1493) and enjoyed the patronization of the

king and wrote Jaimini Bharatam and dedicated to the Saluva Narasimha

Raya36.

127 

 

Thallapaka Annamayya (1424 A.D-1503 A.D): He was popular as

Annamayya and was the native of Thallapaka, Rajampet Mandal, Kadaph

District and lived in this period. His parents are Narayanasuri,

Lakkamamba. He was a poet-singer (Vaggeyakarudu) and lived during the

reign of Salva Narasingaraya a feudatory ruler of Chandragiri rajya under

the Rayas of Vijayanagar37. He was a great devotee of lord Venkatesvara

and composer of devotional lyrics. He was the first known composer of

prosody (Annamayya Sankirtanalu) in Telugu known as Annamayya

Sankirtanalu or Annamayya Padakavithalu or Yeyamulu. So, he was known

as Padakavitha Pithamahudu. He composed 32,000 Sankirtanas

worshipping god Venkatesvara, the principal deity of Tirumala. The

Sankirtanalu were sung by him to carry in the identifying signatories of

Lord Sri Venkatesvara. His Sankirtanas include the songs of festival

occasions and daily worship of lord Venkatesvara indicating his direct and

intense involvement in the devotional life of the lord at Tirumala, which for

him is the Vaikuntam on earth. The san-Kirtanas tells the equlity among

human beings harmony among religious paths. The Kirtanas also narrowed

between the folk and classical literature after the 12th century A.D, the trend

of going close to folk tradition may be considered as a part of the 15th

century A.D spirit. Since during this century fairy tales, sacred places,

legends etc, got composed as an elite poetic work and Bhakti has been

mainly a quality of the literature38. Apart from these lyrics, he composed

Dvipada Ramayana and a Sankirtana Ramayana in Telugu and

128 

 

Venkatachala Mahatyamu in Sanskrit39. The Sankirtanas also reflect the

contemporary socio-religious conditions of the period.

Timmakka: She was a poetess and the wife of Annamayya and composed

a small work called Subhadra Kalyanamu claiming that she wrote the work

for the benefit of the women and their chastity40. She also received the

patronage of Salva Narasimha Raya, a feudatory of Chandragiri.

Thallapaka Peda Tirumala Raya (1493A.D-1551A.D): He was the son

of Annamayya and was a famous Vishishta Dvaita scholar. He continued his

father’s tradition of composing devotional songs especially Shringara

Sankirtanalu on lord Venkatesvara at Tirumala. Besides the work, he wrote

other works such as a commentary on Bhagavadgita, a grammar work in

Telugu, a Haravamsamu in Dvipada metres, a prose work called

Balabharathamu and Sabhari Charitra (Yekshaganamu)41.

Thallapaka Chinna Tirumalaraya (1485 A.D-1550 A.D): He was the son

of Peda Tirumala Rayudu and grandson of Annamayya composed

Astabhasha dandakamu, Ashtamahishi kalyanamu, Usha Kalyanam and

Annamacharya Charitra in Dvipada metres in Telugu. He was continuing

the Sankirtanas composition of his grandfather Annamayya. Tallapaka

Tiruvengalanatha, the son of China Tirumalaraya the grand great son of

Annamayya translated the Amaruka kavyas into Telugu language42. He also

composed commentary on Namalinganushasanamu (Amarasimha work of

Sanskrit synonyms, who lived in the 4th -5th century A.D of Chandragupta-

II) the king of Gupta dynasty43.

129 

 

Thallapaka Thiruvengalanatha (1498 A.D-1553 A.D): He was a court

poet of Achyutadeva Raya (r.1530-1542). He wrote Paramayogi Vilasamu.

Gangadhara (15th century): He was a court poet of Mallikarjuna Raya (r.

1447-1467) the ruler of Sangama dynasty. He wrote a poem called

Gangadhara Prathapa Vilasam.

Manumanchi Bhattu (16Th century): He belonged to this period and

wrote Hyalakshana sastras (or) Asvalakshana saramu. It is an original

work on horses and their training. The work was dedicated to Kamparaya, a

dandanayaka of Krishnadeva Raya44.

Thus the poets produced works in Telugu for their progress. Apart

from this, the beginning of the 16th century A.D was a glorious epoch in

Telugu literature, because the period was the reign of Krishnadeva Raya

(r.1509-1529) of Vijayanagar. He himself was a great poet and gave an

impetus to Telugu literature. His work Amukta Malyada was a contribution

to Telugu literature and is considered as one of the five great Kavyas in

Telugu literature. Like Nine jems of Vikramaditya’s (Chandra Gupta-II. 375

A.D - 413 A.D) court the Ashtadiggajas (Eight elephants) adorned his court.

The Ashtadiggajas who flourished in the court were (i) Allasani Peddana

(ii) Nandi Timmana (iii) Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra (iv) Dhurjati (v)

Madhayagari Mallana (vi) Tenali Rama Krishna (vii) Pingali Surana

(viii)Bhattu Murti (or) Ramaraja Bhushana45. They were patronized by

Krishnadeva Raya.

130 

 

Allasani Peddana (1475A.D-1540A.D): He stands foremost outstanding

poet and Krishnadeva Raya conferred on him the title Andhra Kavita

Pitamaha (grandfather of Telugu poetry). His chief work is

Manucharitra46.

Nandi Timmana (16Thcentury): He wrote Parijatapaharanamu, dedicated

to Krishnadeva Raya, intended to reconcile the king to one of his queens. It

elaborates the beautiful verse a wellknown episode in Lord Krishna’s life47.

Dhurjati (1500A.D -1530A.D): He, a Saiva poet evoked the admiration of

Krishnadeva Raya by composing two poems one Kalahasti Mahatmyam

another Kalahasti Satakam, in praise of the god Kalahastisvara at Kalahasti

and dedicated it to god Siva48.

Pingali Surana (16Thcentury): He was the native of a village in the

Krishna District. He wrote Raghava Pandaviya which tells the story of the

Ramayana and Mahabharata. His another work Kalapurnodaya is more a

novel in poetry tells the Kali worshippers, human sacrifices and Malayali

magicians49. His most outstanding work was Prabhavati pradyumna which

deals with the puranic theme of the Pradyumna, the son of Lord Krishna

and his marriage with Prabhavati, the daughter of a Daitya king

Vajranabha50.

Madayagari Mallana (16Thcentury): He wrote Rajasekhara Charitra.

The work is a typical prabandha dealing with the wars and love of

Rajasekhara, the king of Avanthi. He dedicated this work to Nadendla

Appa, the nephew of Saluva Timma the governor of Kondavidu51.

131 

 

Tenali Rama Krishna (16Thcentury): He was the most interesting figure

of the time of Krishnadeva Raya. He was a court juster of Krishnadeva

Raya who played many practical jokes on high-placed men and the king

himself not exempted, but he was also a poet of talent and his Panduranga

Mahatyamu counted among the five great kavyas in Telugu which is a work

of high merit.

Ayyalaraju (or) Rama Bhadraiah: He was the author of

Ramabhyudayamu and Sakalakathasara-Sangraha52. Which reflect the

socio-cultural conditions of the period.

Bhattu murthi (or) Ramaraja Bhushana (16Thcentury): He had a long

and distinguished literary career. He wrote Vasucharitra. The theme is the

marriage of prince Vasu with princess Girika the daughter of the river

Suktimati and the mountain Kolahala. He also wrote Narasabhupaliyam

and Harischandra Nalopakhyanam. The latter poem tells the story of Nala

as well as that of Harischandra. He dedicated his work Vasucharitra to

Tirumalaraya-I, the brother of Ramaraya who was the son-in-law of

Krishnadeva Raya53.

Sankusala Nrisimha Kavi: He was counted among the Ashtadiggajas, but

was a distinguished poet of the time. He wrote Kavikarna Rasayana and

dedicated the work to the god of Srirangam in Tamil country.

Piduparti Somanatha (1500A.D-1525A.D): He was a Saivite and wrote

Basava purana which is the only Saiva work of the time. He lived in the

reign of Krishnadeva Raya

132 

 

Vallabhacharya (16th century): He wrote Lilavati-gahita and dedicated it

to an officer of Achyutaraya (1530 A.D -1542 A.D)54.

Raghunatha nayaka: He was the feudatory ruler of Tanjore. He himself

became the patron of the two poems the Valmiki charitra and Ramayana.

Chemakuri Venkata kavi: He lived in this period and wrote

Sarangadhara charitra and Vijayavilasamu.

Rangajamma: She was the mother of Raghunathanayaka of Tanjore and

was a poetess. She composed Mannarudasa vilasamu.

Kadiriparti: He was the cousin of Aliya Ramaraya and commander-in-

chief of Sriranga Raya -III. He wrote Sukasaptati55.

Sanskrit literature:

Vedanta Desika: He was a versatile genius of a rare ability and was a

prolific writer both in Sanskrit and Tamil both in prose and verse. His work

Yadavabhyudayam is a Mahakavya on the life of lord Krishna. His other

important Sanskrit works are Hamsasamdesa which is modelled on

Kalidasa’s Meghaduta, Sangalpa Suryodaya a drama explaining the

system of Visistadvaita, Tattvatika commentary on Sri Bhasya of Ramanuja

and Tatparya Chandrika commentary on Gita Bhasya, and so on. His

famous Tamil work was Rahasyatraya Sara which elaborates the doctrine

of self-surrender56.

Madhava Charya: He had very intimate relations with the royal house of

Vijayanagar. His important work is Parasaramritivyakhya which explains

the rules of daily conduct and rituals of the Hindus57.

133 

 

Sayana: He was an eminent scholar and statesman who served in the courts

of Bukka Raya-I (1355 A.D-1377 A.D) and Harihara Raya-II (1377 A.D-

1404 A.D). He compiled the Subhasista Sudhanidi, a literary anthology

Alangara Sudhanidi, an explanation of figures of speech, and Purusartha

Sudhanidi. He also wrote many commentaries on the Vedas58.

Irugappa Dandanatha: He was the minister of Harihara Raya-II (1377

A.D-1404 A.D) and was a great scholar. He wrote Nanartha ratnamala.

Gangadevi: She was the wife of Kumara Kampana-I (son of Bukka Raya-

I), She was one of the eminent woman writers of that period. She wrote

Madhura Vijayam in an epic style.

Rajanatha Dindima: He flourished in the court of Saluva

Narasimha(1485 A.D - 1490 A.D) and was the author of Saluvabhyudayam.

His son Dindima Sarvabhuma had written Ramabhyudayam59.

The reign of Krishnadeva Raya marks a glorious epoch in the

literary history of South India. Krishnadeva Raya besides being a patron of

scholars was himself a gifted scholar not only in Telugu but also in Sanskrit.

He had written many Sanskrit works of which the important poems were

Madalasa Charita, Rasamanjari, Jambavati Kalyanam and so on.

Achyuta Raya (r. 1530-1542) was also a good scholar and patron.

Rajanatha Dindima-II. He flourished in the court of Achyuta Raya. He

was the author of Achyutarayabhyudayam.

134 

 

Tirumalamba: She was the wife of Krishnadeva Raya and was an

accomplished lady with good literary tastes and had composed the poem

Varadambika Parinayam60.

Tamil literature:

The feudatory of Vijayanagar like the Nayakas of Madurai was

marked by a large output of philosophical works, commentaries, Puranas

and Prabandhas in their period.

The Saluva chief Tirumalayya Deva was a great patron of Tamil

literature. He has been praised by Kalamegham and by the twin poets

Mudusuryar and Ilanjuryar generally known as Irattayars. Krishnadeva

Raya also patronized Tamil scholars. Jnnaprakasa Desikar who lived at

Kanchi was the author of Manjarippa in praise of Krishnadevaraya.

Haridasa, a Vaishnava poet who adorned the court of Krishnadeva Raya

wrote Irusamaya Vilakkam, on exposition of Saivism, and Vaishnavism.

The poet mandala Puradar, a contemporary of Krishnadeva Raya and was

a jain. He was the author of Nikandu chudamani61.

Likewise, Tirumalai Natha was the author of Chidambara

Puranam. Chokkanatharula Maraijnana Sambandar of Chidambaram was

a famous poet living in the days of Achyuta Raya (r.1530 - 1542) and

Sadasiva Raya (r.1543-1572). His works on Saiva philosophy reflect the

conditions of Saivism in this period62.

Thus the empire of Vijayanagar by its prosperity and greatness

produced works of great literary value.

135 

 

Kannada literature:

The poet Madhava was patronized by Harihara Raya-II and Deva

Raya-I and wrote Dharmanatha Purana on the fifteenth Tirthankara and a

short poem in praise of Gometesvara of Sravana Belgola (near Mysore

Karnataka).

Another Jain scholar Urittavilasa wrote Dharma Pariksha and

Sastrasara, both works of quasi religious importance.

The poet Salva, belonged to Konkai produced a Jain version of the

Bharata63.

After the Jains, the Vira-Saiva poets did most for the growth of

Kannada language and literature. They preferred prose medium. The poet

Mahalinga Deva who lived in this period wrote Ekottara Satasthals and

Satsthala Vireka. Another Saiva philosophical work was Saiva

Tattvachinthamani written by Lakshmana Dandanatha which the author

calls the fundamental sutra of all Vedas and Agamas. Chamarasa another

Vira-Saiva poet wrote Prabhulinga- lila, which was even admired by Deva

Raya-II (r.1377-1404). Besides these, the poet Kumara Vyasa wrote

Bharata in Kannada. Bommarasa, Kallarasa and Tontada Siddhesvara

were Kannada scholars who produced works. Bommarasa composed

Soundara Purana dealing with the life of Tamil Saiva Saint Sundarar

Kallarasa was the author of Janavasya64.

When the Vijayanagar rulers were ruling the entire South, the sultans

of Qutub Shahis, the rulers of Golkonda were contemporaries of them.

136 

 

Though they were Muslims, they extended their patronage to Telugu poets

also.

Addanki Gangadhara (1570 A.D): He wrote the Tapati

samvaranopakhyana and dedicated to the sulthan Ibrahim Qutb Shah

(r.1550 -1583), the rulers of Golkonda65.

In addition to this, the poets who were not received royal patronage

also produced works which were as follows:

In the period of the Velamas:

Nutana Kavi Surana (1420 A.D-1425 A.D): He composed

Dhanabhiramamu and it was dedicated to god Bhimesvara of

Draksharamamu (East Godavari District). The work contains the theme of

beauty and wealth and gave message about the importance of wealth in a

balanced way without undermining the importance of beauty66.

Vinnakota Peddanna (1302 A.D-1407 A.D: He lived in the same period

and was also a native of Rajamahendravaram, composed Kavyalankara

chudamani. He also dedicated his work to the minister Gundana who

worked in the court of Kakatiyas was a contemporary to him67.

Kolani Ganapatideva: He belonged to Kolani family, which was a line of

solders in the Kakatiya period lived in this period and composed a

philosophical work Sivayogasaramu. This work contains the philosophy of

Saiva Siddantha68.

137 

 

In the period of the Reddies:

The period witnessed a number of famous Telugu poets who

produced works in Telugu language.

Ketana (13Th century): He lived in this period rendered the Sanskrit work

of Dandi Dasakumara Charitra into Telugu language. He was a friend and

contemporary of Tikkana Somayaji69.

Marana (13Th century): He was a disciple of Tikkana lived in the period

of Prataparudra-II (r.1296-1326) later on settled in the kingdom of Reddies

of Rajamahendravaram. He composed Markendeya puranam and dedicated

it to the commander Nagayaganna of Warangal70.

Ravipati Tripurantakudu (1380A.D): He lived during the second part of

the 14th century A.D. He composed four different works in Telugu such as

Tripurantakodaharanamu, Ambika satakamu, Madana Vijayamu and

Chandrataravali. He also wrote a Sanskrit work Premabhiramamu. These

works are the devotional works on the god Siva and the goddess Parvathi

and reflect the religious condition that existed in the society of this period71.

In the period of Vijayanagar:

Proluganti Chenna Suri (15thcentury): He lived in the last quarter of 15th

century A.D and wrote Narasimha Puranamu and Venkatesvara Satakamu

in Telugu72.

In the period of the Bahmani Sultans:

There is no evidence to show that the Bahmani sultans patronized

Telugu men of letters and Arts. But the poets who belonged to this period

138 

 

produced literary works in Telugu in which there was less progress. The

poets and writers were not received any patronization by the sultans but

lived independently.

Madhava Sarasvathi (16thcentury): He was a resident of Solapur in

Gokarna in Karnataka. He wrote Sarvadarsana Kaumudi73.

Vadiraja Tirtha: He belonged to Udipimatha and wrote Yukti malika. He

belonged to 16th century A.D.

Sivananda Sarasvati: He belonged to Karnataka and lived in 15th century

A.D and wrote Yogachintamani.

Kesava Bhatta: He belonged to the period between 15th and 16th centuries

A.D and was the native of Punyastamba in Ahmadnagar District. He wrote a

work called Antyestipaddhati which related to funeral rites and a

commentary Tarkdipika, a work on Indian logic.

Dalapati Raja: He belonged to the 16th century A.D. He was an officer of

Ahmad Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar and wrote Nrisimhaprasada dealing

with all the topics of Dharmasastras74.

Mahadeva: He was the resident of Triambac on the bank of the river

Godavari and wrote a work Kamadhenuvu dealing with the subject of

Astronomy.

Gangadhara: A resident of Sagar, a place in the Doab Krishna and

Bhageeradhi, wrote a work Chandramana related to subject of eclipse.

Kesava: He was a resident of Nandagaon in Konkan region wrote the work

Muhurtatva dealing with Astrology.

139 

 

Ganesha Daivijna: He was also the resident of Nandagaon in Konkan

country laghutithi Chintamani and Brihattithi Chinthamani dealing with

subject of Astrology75.

Thus the above mentioned poets were the residents of the territories

belonged to Bahmani dynasty and produced works in their concerned

subjects for the progress of literature.

140 

 

REFERENCE

1. P. Lakshmi Kantham. Andhrula Sahitya Charitra (Telugu), (Hyderabad.

1976), P. 78.

2. P.B.H.K. Sherwani & P.M. Joshi. History of Medieval Deccan, Vol-II.

(a.p. 1974), P. 147.

3. I bid.

4. P.N. Chopra & T.K. Ravindran & N. Subramanian. History of South

India (New Delhi- 2007), P. i94.

5. Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Andhra kavula Charitramu (Hyderabad-

2005), P. 267.

6. Chengal Ray Chetti. Andhra Sanghika – Ardhika Charitra. (T.p.t-1991)

P.250.

7. I bid.

8. Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Op. Cit; P.269.

9. K. Ayyappa Pnikar, Medieval Indian Literature (New Deli, 1997), P.P -

547,548.

10. I bid. P. 549.

11. P. B. H. K. Sherwani & P.M. Joshi. Op. Cit; P.150.

12. I bid.

13. I bid. P.151.

14. K.A.N. Sastri, A History of South India from pre-historic times to the

fall of Vijayanagar Vol-IV, (N.D. 1992), P. 239.

15. I bid.

141 

 

16. Chengal Ray Chetti. Op. Cit; P.254.

17. P.N. Chopra & T.K. Ravindran & N. Subramanian. Op. Cit; P.553.

18. I bid.

19. Kandukuri Veeresalingam Op.Cit; 270.

20. I bid.

21. I bid.

22. K. Ayyappa Panikar, Op. Cit; P.89.

23. K. A.N. Sastri. Op. Cit; P.89.

24. Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Op.Cit; P.182.

25. I bid.

26. S.C. Raychoudary. Social, Cultural and Economic History of India

(Delhi-1998), P. 214.

27. I bid.

28. K. Ayyappa Panikar. Op.Cit; P.551.

29. Arudra. Samagra Andhra Sahityam. Vol-III (Secundrabad-1965), P.136.

30. Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Op. Cit; P.98.

31. K. Ayyappa Paniker. Op.Cit; P.556.

32. I bid. P.558.

33. Arudra. Op.Cit; P. 74.

34. Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Op. Cit; P. 87.

35. K. Ayyappa Panikar. Op. Cit; P. 559.

36. I bid.

37. P.B.H.K. Sherwani & P.M. Joshi. Op. Cit; P.150.

142 

 

38. I bid. P.152.

39. K. Ayyappa Panikar. Op. Cit; P.556.

40. Kandukuri Veeresalindam. Op. Cit; P.230.

41. K. Ayyappa Panikar. Op. Cit; P.556.

42. Arudra. Op. Cit; P. 138.

43. I bid.

44. Ayyappa Panikar. Op. Cit; P. 558.

45. P.b. h. k. Sherwani & P.M. Joshi. Op. Cit; P. 150.

46. I bid.

47. Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Op. Cit; P.182.

48. S.c. Ray Choudhary. Op. Cit; P.230.

49. I bid.

50. Arudra. Op.Cit; P.34.

51. S.C. Ray Choudary. Op.Cit; P.109.

52. I bid.

53. P.B.H.K. Sherwani & P.M. Joshi. Op. Cit; P.158.

54. I bid.

55. I bid. P.P. 567, 568.

56. S.A. Thangasamy. Vijayanagar Empire (Madurai, 1976), P.34.

57. I bid.

58. I bid.

59. P.B.H.K. Sherwani & P.M. J oshi. Op.Cit; P.153.

60. P.N. Chopra & T.K. Ravindran & N. Subramanian. Op. Cit; P. 174.

61. Gurchritra. xxxV, 36-37.

143 

 

62. Maharashtra- Jivan-II, (ed. Sardar Joshi, Lokkande Prakashan, Poona,

1960), 5.

63. Dikshit, History of Indian Astronomy (Marathi), 2nd ed.

Aryabhushana Press, Poona, 1931, P.P-258,274,316,etc.

64. P.N. Chopra & T.K. Ravindran & N. Subramanian. Op.Cit; P.175.

65. I bid.

66. S.A. Thangasamy. Op.Cit; P.42.

67. P.B.H.K. Sherwani & P.M. Joshi. Op.Cit; Vol-II. P. 156.

68. Fer., I, 306; Tab, 30.

69. P.B.H.K. Sherwani & P.M. Joshi. Op.Cit; P.170.

70. K.A.N. Sastri, A History of South India from pre-historic times to the

fall of Vijayanagar Vol-IV, (N.D. 1992), P. 320.

71. P.N. Chopra & T.K. Ravindran & N. Subramanian. Op. Cit; P.423.

72. Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Op.Cit; P.125.

73. S.C. Raychoudary. Social, Cultural and Economic History of India

(Delhi-1998), P. 150.