Viswanatha Satyanarayana

Viswanatha Satyanarayana (10 September 1895 – 18 October 1976) (Telugu: విశ్వనాథ సత్యనారాయణ) was born to Sobhanadri and Parvathi in the year 1895 at Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. He 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 student of Chellapilla Venkata Sastry. Chellapilla was familiar to be known as 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 worked as the first principal of Karimnagar Government College (1959–61).

He was awarded the Jnanpith Award and Padma Bhushan 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 (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.

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

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’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.

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.

Awards

• He was titled as “Kavi Samrat”
• In 1964 Andhra Viswa Kala Parishat honored him by titling as “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.
• 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 awarded Padma Bhushan.
• In 1971 he was awarded with Jnanpith Award for his book “Ramayana Kalpavriksham”. He was the first Telugu writer to receive Jnanpith Award. When he was awarded with Jnanapith, The below lines were written in his honors document.

As a Poet of classic vision and virility, as a novelist and play wright of deep insight and impact, as an essayist and literary critic of force and felicity, and as a stylist of rare “range” Mr. Satyanarayana has carved for himself a place of eminence amongst the immortals of Telugu Literature. His ceaseless creativity and versatility have kept him in the forefront of contemporary Telugu Literary Scene.