Telugu literary world has lost bright jewel : CM's tribute

The Andhra poet laureate, Mr. Viswahatha Satyanarayana died of a heart attack at 11-10 this morning at the Guntur General hospital. Mr. Satyanarayana was admitted into the hospital a week ago for treatment. The body of Mr. Satyanarayana was brought here from Guntur.

The mortal remains of the poet will be cremated here tomorrow morning.

The poet's eldest son who is in Delhi, is expected to arrive her tonight, to perform the funeral rites.


'Bright Jewel'

Hyderabad: the Chief Minister Mr. J. Vengal Rao, today described Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayna Poet laureate of Andhra pradesh, as "a bright jewel of Telugu literary field" and a "giant who stored the Telugu literary scene for over half a century." Mr. Vengal Rao said: "It is a sad day for Telugu people. A tilan has fallen. Telugu literary field has lost a bright jewel in the demise of Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana. In the recent past Telugu literature received a boost when Dr. Satyanarayana received the most coveted Jnanpith Award. His magnum opus "Srimad Ramayana Kalpa Vrikshmu" has earned for itself a permanent place in Telugu literature. "Dr. Satyanarayana, a worthy disciple of late Chellapilla Venkata Sastry, himself produced a mighty line of disciples who have adorned the literary sky of Telugu land. The State has honoured itself when it conferred the Poet Laureate on him. It is no exaggeration to say that Dr. Viswanatha strode the Telugu literary scene as a giant for over half a century. The fact that his novel "Veyipadagalu." Has been translated into many Indian languages shows that his literary genius has been recognized all over the country." "I offer my heart-felt condolences to the member of the bereaved family."

Irreparable Loss

Mr. Pidathala Ranga Reddy, Minister for Finance, Information and Public Relations, said Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana had become a household word in Telugu homes. His literary creations extended to all branches of Telugu literature. He had the distinction of upholding the old traditions and making the people remain in contact with the old, timed tested literary forms. "His death is an irreparable loss to Telugu literature. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family members."

Appa Rao's Tribute

"A great Telugu star has fallen robbing the entire Telugu literary field of a great poet and writer, who dominated the Telugu world for several decades and was known for synchronizing classical style with modern trends in literature and projecting the image of Telugu as a world language. That was Kavi Samrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana, whose dedicated cause for the service of the nation through literature, is unforgettable," the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University, Mr. M. R. Appa Rao said in a statement today He added: Viswanatha "Veyi Padagalu" won national recognition as one of the finest masterpieces in modern Indian literature, for which he was rightly awarded the "Jnanpith" award during 1970-71. Its translation into various language, including Hindi and Gajarati, was in itself a tribute to the monumental work.

"Viswanatha was considered by his contemporaries, including those who did not see eye to eye with him on modern trends in literature as bridge between classical and modern literature.

"While he wrote "Ramayana Kalpavruksham" in chaste style, he adopted himself to writing a novel in simple prose-"Veyi Padgalu" and also folk sings in the name of "Kinnersani Patalu". Throbbing the hearts of the people all over." he said As a mark of respect for Kalaprapurna Viswanatha Satyanarayana, former Voice-President and Fellow of the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi the office of the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi will remain closed tomorrow.

Great loss

New Delhi: Mr. Kasu Brahmananda Reddi. Union Minister for Home Affairs, in a condolence message to the State Chief Minister Mr. J. Venal Rio has said that the "demise of Padmabhushan Kavi Samrat Jnanpith Awardee and renowned poet Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana is a great loss to the literary would and particularly to the Telugu literature."

He said Dr. Satyanarayana was a "prolific writer of several diverse themes with a distinct inimitable style of his own who has carved a niche for himself by earning national recognition."

Mr. Reddi said that he had left an indelible impression on intelligible literary circles of the country."

Mr. Reddi added: "please convey my condolences to members of the bereaved family." AP indebted to Viswanatha's services

The late Mr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana was born in Nadmuru village of Krishna District in 1893. After schooling in his native village, Viswantha completed his college education at Machilpatnam.

He joined the National College education at Machiliptanam, as a lecture, later at the Hindu College. Machilipatam and still later as Head of the Department of Telugu in Government College, Vijayawada. He also served as Principal of the Government College Karimnagar, in Telangana for some time.

He was a member of the State Legislative Council. He was the receipient of the Bharathiya gnanpith Award for his "Srimad Ramayana Kalpavriksham" which fetched him a monetary award of rupees one lakh. He was also conferred the Kalparapoorna and Kavi Samrat titles for his outstanding works in Telugu.

He has written over 100 books in Telugu and Sanskrit which covered every facet of literature - poetry. Drama, prose, and fiction. Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana was one of the few litterateur that have exhibited equal brilliance in all the fields of literature. It is not an exaggeration to State that the achievements of this outstanding writer of Andhra cover a large part of the history of Telugu literature of the recent times. In a way he dominated the entire Telugu literary field during the last four decades. He was four and an institution by himself. Andhra is very much indebted to him for his service as a poet novelist, dramatist and above all a critic. He has "touched nothing he did not adorn."

His "Srimad Ramayana Kalpavrikshumu" has secured for him an immortal niche. According to well-in-formed critics, it is claimed to be something more than a mere translation of Valmiki's epic. The author has depicted Rama as a hero with divine perception and full of the mild of human kindness - qualities that have been brought out in bold relief by his vivid narrative. It was this that prompted one critic to remark that it would be better to call this work as "Silpivriksha" rather than "Kalpavriksha" in view of the superb literary touches imparted to it by the distinguished author . Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana's power of versification reached the zenith of perfection in this stupendous work. Each character in the story was depicted by the poet in a ture-to-life fashion. While describing such religious rites as yajnas, marriages etc.. the poet displayed his intimate knowledge of the rituals in vogue during he Vedic age.

Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana was also perfectly at home in the composition of many forms of lyrical poems such as story poems, descriptive poems, satakas, etc., on a rich variety of themes. Under the category of romantic poems special mention can be made of 'Sringara Veedhi", 'Sasidutam'. "Girikumarini Perma Geetalu" Varalakshmi Trisati Kinerasani Patalu', etc.

"The last mentioned work is claimed to be an altogether new and successful attempt in lyric writing. As is well known the theme centers on an old legend associated with "Kinnera" a small tributary of the Godvary. The musically rich work, the songs have become very popular. In his 'ritusamhara' & descriptive poems about the seasons of the year) Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana has touched great heights of imagination. Again his historical poems such as 'Andhra Prasasti' were composed with a view to stirring up patriotic feelings in the hearts of a people in thralldom by graphically portraying the past glories of the nation. His "Viswanatha Madhyakkaralu" - a compilation of ten satakas - had won for him the coveted award of the Sahitya Akademi. New Delhi.

As a successful playwright. Dr Viswanatha Satyanarayana had voluminous output to his credit. His themes are many and varied - historical classical, social etc. Some of his better known and widely staged plays are "Nartanasala". Anarkali. Trisulam' Anartarnatakam". He also wrote two Sanskrit plays of which "Amrita Sharmisthan" is a shining example of his mastery of Sanskrit.

Dr Viswanatha Stayanarayana is considered to be one of the foremost novelists in Telugu. He wrote as many as 50 novels. His "Veyi padagalu', regarded as a masterpiece had won for him an award from the Andhra university way back in 1934. other popular novels authored by him are "Ma babu" 'Ekaveera'. 'Cheliyalikatta' 'Swarganiki Nicchenalu', 'Kadimichettu', 'Beddanna Senani' etc.

In the opinion of many Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana was also a distinguished literary critic. His works of criticism on Nannaya, Peddanna, Kalidasa are considered to be authoritative in literary circles. Again his critical essays on Nanayya and Peddanna have brought out to light several hitherto hidden facets of their monumental works.

The national recognition to his Telugu literary giant came at the age of 76 in the form of Jnanpith Award in 1970-71. He was the only Telugu writer whose work 'Veyipadagalu' has been translated into all major Indian languages. The Prime Minister and recently released the Gujarati translation of this novel in Delhi.

A titan has fallen. The literary world, and particular Telugu Literature, sustained a great loss in the demise of Kavisaamrat, Kalaaprapurna, Padmabhushan Dr Viswanatha Satyanarayana, recipient of the prestigious Jnan Pith Award. Dr Viswanatha strode the Telugu literary scene like a colossus for over half a century. There is no branch of literature he had not touched but he adorned. It is no exaggeration when the literary literary world hailed him as the greatest poet of Andhra, if not in India. He was a literary Tapasvin. He was a literary Tapasvin. He was a great scholar and a thinker wedded to the Indian tradition and yet capable of interpreting it creatively and artistically.

Raders of Triveni need no introduction to Dr. Viswanatha. He was a close associate of the Founder-Editor, the late Sri K. Ramakotiswara Rau. His poems, lyrics and short stories in English translation are appearing in Triveni right from the inaugural number. Triveni had the proud privilege of bringing out a Special Number on Dr. Viswanatha in 1971 when he was honoured with the much coveted Jnan Pith Award. Dr Viswantaha may not be living today in the physical sense. But he will continue to live through his books so long as the Telugu language and its people survive.

To the learned authors who have contributed valuable articles on the various aspects of Dr. Viswanatha's literary eminence Triveni conveys her grateful thanks.

Triveni offers her homage to the Kavisamraat with folded hands. Long live Viswanatha!

Bhavaraju Narasimha Rao

Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana - A Tribute

Noted Telugu poet Dr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana, popularly known as "Kavi Samrat", died in Guntur on October 18. He was 82.

Born in 1895 at Nandamuru, Krishna District, in an affluent Vaidik Brahmin family, he, after his schooling in the village, joined the National College, Machilipatnam. The non-co-operation movement interrupted his studies. After five years he resumed studies and eventually, by studying privately, obtained a master's degree in Sanskrit in 1929. He began writing at the age of 14. But recognition came to him only in 1920 when he burst on the literary scene with his pastorals and patriotic poems. By 1929 he was a major poet.

He became a teacher to ensure a steady income to pursue his writing. He taught in various colleges in Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Karimnagar. He retired in 1961 as principal of a college in Telengana and devoted his time wholly to writing. Viswanatha's literary output in variety and quality is immense-nearly 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 forewards as well as radio talks. Some of his poems and novels have been translated into English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu and Sanskrit.

Readers of Bhavan's Journal will readily recall the series of 25 articles he wrote under the title "What Ramayana Means to me."

The Jnanapith Award which he received in 1971 for his Ramayana Kalpavrikshamu was the crowning glory of his career. Earlier, Andhra had conferred on him the title of "Kavi Samrat", and the Andhra University the title of "Kalaprapoorna".

The country has already bestowed on him the Padma Bhushan for his services to Telugu literature. He leaves behind two sons and three daughters.

Deccan Chronicle