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 (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.[4][5]
Early life
Viswanatha Satyanarayana was the son of Shobhanadri, a Brahmin 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) on 10 September 1895. 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.[6] 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.[7]
He worked as the first principal of Karimnagar Government College (1959–61).[8] Some of Viswanatha’s disciples formed a committee with Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao 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.[9]
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.[10] 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:
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
poem of viswanatha satyanarayana about himself
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.
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)
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
Satyanarayana on a 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 at Gudivada he was honored by climbing him on the elephant(gajarohana). 60 years completion celebrations(shashtipoorthi) was also held at Gudivada in 1956.
^Modern Indian literature, an anthology. George, K. M., Sahitya Akademi. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. 1992. ISBN8172013248. OCLC29599405.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
