Tirupati Venkata Kavulu
Encyclopedia
Tirupati Venkata Kavulu refers to the Telugu
poet duo Divakarla Tirupati Sastry (1872–1919) and Chellapilla Venkata Sastry (1870–1950). This twin poets are acclaimed as harbingers of modern poetry in Telugu
. They have dramatized several of the Hindu
epics into dramas and plays consisting of singable verses set to perfect meter. Several of their plays, especially pandavodyogavijayalu have been extremely popular with many drama clubs and audiences across Andhra Pradesh
. Venkata Sastry has trained a large number of later age poets including Viswanatha Satyanarayana
, Pingali Lakshmikantam
and Veturi Sundararama Murthy.
He was born on 26 March 1872 at Yendagandi village in Bhimavaram
Taluk of West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh
, India. His father Venkata Avadhani was a great vedic scholar and a devotee of Sun God. He studied under Boorla Subbarayudu, Garimella Lingaiah, Pammi Peri Sastry and Charla Brahmaiah Sastry. During the study period under Charla Brahmaiah Sastry, Chellapilla Venkata Sastry joined them. He was sharp and talented and could silence his opponent in no time in argumentation. Venkata Sastry was unique in his own way, could compose verse in Telugu and make discourses on the puranic topics and hence would not brook Tirupati Sastry's supremacy. Once the teacher advised the students to celebrate Ganesh Navaratri, for which they needed money. They pooled their talents for collecting money for the celebrations. Slowly during these student days they understood each other and appreciated each other's talent. Venkata Sastry went for Benares and upon his return Tirupati Sastry joined him in composing poetry and performing Satavadhanam at Kakinada. From then, till Tirupati Sastry's death parted them, they composed together for life. Even afterwards Venkata Sastry published all his work under their common authorship. All through his life Tirupati Sastry treated Venkata Sastry as his guru. They together performed many avadhanams, composed Dhaturatnakara, made a trip to Adayar, Madras where Annie Besant
praised their talent, visited Venkatagiri Samstanam, composed Mulasthaneswara Stuti in Sanskrit and visited Gadwal, Atmakur, Vijayanagaram, Pithapuram samsthanams brought them name and fame.
Tirupati Sastry got married in 1894. His marriage celebration gave them material for composing Sravananandam a work on Sringara rasa in 1898. It was dedicated to Vadrevu Venkata Ratnam of Pithapuram. The Zamindar
of Polavaram came to know about them and requested them to translate Edwin Arnold
's The Light of Asia
into Telugu. He requested them to be his court poets. Venkata Sastry did not like to commit himself but persuaded Tirupati Sastry to accept the offer. This brought Tirupati Sastry to Kakinada in 1901. The Zamindar
of Polavaram had started a literary journal called 'Saraswati' in 1889. As a court poet it became the duty of Tirupati Sastry to look after the running of the journal. Translations of Bala Ramayanam, Mudrarakshasa and Mrichchakatika from Sanskrit were done for this journal. The Zamindar of Polavaram died in 1918 and caused a setback. However the Zamindar of Golanka Veeravaram, Rao Ramayamma came to his rescue by offering him an honorarium.
He was suffering from diabetes and died in November 1920.
He was born at Kadiyam village near Rajahmundry
in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh
, India. He was born on 8 August 1870. His great grandfather's younger brother was the author of two Telugu works, Venkateswara Vilasa and Yaminipoornatilaka Vilasa. There was a priceless library of palm leaf books at home collected by this poet. They were shifted to Yanam where he studied Telugu, English and Sanskrit. He studied under Kanukurthi Bhujanga Rao and Allamraju Subrahmanya Kaviraju. At the age of eighteen, he composed a sataka on Venkateswara of Yanam, which the local connoisseurs criticised for grammatical errors. Insulted by the episode, he was determined to go to Benaras to learn Sanskrit grammar. But finance was the problem. He also had a chronic eye problem on one side. He joined as disciple at Sripada Krishnamurthi Sastry, wherein he encountered Tirupati Sastry.
illustrating the use of verbal forms for the roots given by Pāṇini, the Sanskrit
grammarian.
2. Sringara Sringataka (1891) is a small playlet
called Veedhi with predominantly erotic sentiment.
3. Kali Sahasram (1891–1894) is incomplete work (300 slokas) modelled on Lakshmi Sahasram in Sanskrit.
4. Mula Sthaneswara Stuti (1893–1894) was composed in Arya vrittas on Mulasthaneswara, local deity of Nellore
.
5. Ashtkas (Kalikadi Stotra), 1889–1890
6. Suka-Rambha Samvadam (1893–1894) is an argumentation between Śuka
, the sage and Rambha, the danseuse. Suka interprets Ananda, the Supreme Bliss, in terms of Vedantic Truth and Rambha interprets it in terms of erotic experience.
7. Namassivaya Stotram (1914–1915) is a devotional panegyric on Shiva
.
8. Kshampanam (1914–1915)
9. Pishtapeshanam (1914–1915)
10. Salabhalabhanam (1914–1915)
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
poet duo Divakarla Tirupati Sastry (1872–1919) and Chellapilla Venkata Sastry (1870–1950). This twin poets are acclaimed as harbingers of modern poetry in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
. They have dramatized several of the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
epics into dramas and plays consisting of singable verses set to perfect meter. Several of their plays, especially pandavodyogavijayalu have been extremely popular with many drama clubs and audiences across Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
. Venkata Sastry has trained a large number of later age poets including Viswanatha Satyanarayana
Viswanatha Satyanarayana
Viswanatha Satyanarayana , popularly known as the Kavi Samraat , was a modern Telugu poet.He was a disciple of the Tirupati Venkata Kavulu duo...
, Pingali Lakshmikantam
Pingali Lakshmikantam
Pingali Lakshmikantam was an Indian poet and writer.-Early life:...
and Veturi Sundararama Murthy.
Divakarla Tirupati Sastry
Main article: Divakarla Tirupati SastryDivakarla Tirupati Sastry
Divakarla Tirupati Sastry was a Telugu language poet and scholar. He was one of the two poets known as Tirupati Venkata Kavulu and other being Chellapilla Venkata Sastry.-Early life:...
He was born on 26 March 1872 at Yendagandi village in Bhimavaram
Bhimavaram
Bhimavaram is a city and mandal in the West Godavari District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located east of state capital, Hyderabad....
Taluk of West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India. His father Venkata Avadhani was a great vedic scholar and a devotee of Sun God. He studied under Boorla Subbarayudu, Garimella Lingaiah, Pammi Peri Sastry and Charla Brahmaiah Sastry. During the study period under Charla Brahmaiah Sastry, Chellapilla Venkata Sastry joined them. He was sharp and talented and could silence his opponent in no time in argumentation. Venkata Sastry was unique in his own way, could compose verse in Telugu and make discourses on the puranic topics and hence would not brook Tirupati Sastry's supremacy. Once the teacher advised the students to celebrate Ganesh Navaratri, for which they needed money. They pooled their talents for collecting money for the celebrations. Slowly during these student days they understood each other and appreciated each other's talent. Venkata Sastry went for Benares and upon his return Tirupati Sastry joined him in composing poetry and performing Satavadhanam at Kakinada. From then, till Tirupati Sastry's death parted them, they composed together for life. Even afterwards Venkata Sastry published all his work under their common authorship. All through his life Tirupati Sastry treated Venkata Sastry as his guru. They together performed many avadhanams, composed Dhaturatnakara, made a trip to Adayar, Madras where Annie Besant
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
praised their talent, visited Venkatagiri Samstanam, composed Mulasthaneswara Stuti in Sanskrit and visited Gadwal, Atmakur, Vijayanagaram, Pithapuram samsthanams brought them name and fame.
Tirupati Sastry got married in 1894. His marriage celebration gave them material for composing Sravananandam a work on Sringara rasa in 1898. It was dedicated to Vadrevu Venkata Ratnam of Pithapuram. The Zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
of Polavaram came to know about them and requested them to translate Edwin Arnold
Edwin Arnold
Sir Edwin Arnold CSI CIE was an English poet and journalist, who is most known for his work, The Light of Asia.-Biography:...
's The Light of Asia
The Light of Asia
The Light of Asia, subtitled The Great Renunciation, is a book by Edwin Arnold. The first edition of the book was published in London in July 1879....
into Telugu. He requested them to be his court poets. Venkata Sastry did not like to commit himself but persuaded Tirupati Sastry to accept the offer. This brought Tirupati Sastry to Kakinada in 1901. The Zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
of Polavaram had started a literary journal called 'Saraswati' in 1889. As a court poet it became the duty of Tirupati Sastry to look after the running of the journal. Translations of Bala Ramayanam, Mudrarakshasa and Mrichchakatika from Sanskrit were done for this journal. The Zamindar of Polavaram died in 1918 and caused a setback. However the Zamindar of Golanka Veeravaram, Rao Ramayamma came to his rescue by offering him an honorarium.
He was suffering from diabetes and died in November 1920.
Chellapilla Venkata Sastry
Main article: Chellapilla Venkata SastryChellapilla Venkata Sastry
Chellapilla Venkata Sastry was a Telugu language poet laureate and scholar. He was one of the two poets known as Tirupati Venkata Kavulu and other being Divakarla Tirupati Sastry.-Early life:...
He was born at Kadiyam village near Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India. He was born on 8 August 1870. His great grandfather's younger brother was the author of two Telugu works, Venkateswara Vilasa and Yaminipoornatilaka Vilasa. There was a priceless library of palm leaf books at home collected by this poet. They were shifted to Yanam where he studied Telugu, English and Sanskrit. He studied under Kanukurthi Bhujanga Rao and Allamraju Subrahmanya Kaviraju. At the age of eighteen, he composed a sataka on Venkateswara of Yanam, which the local connoisseurs criticised for grammatical errors. Insulted by the episode, he was determined to go to Benaras to learn Sanskrit grammar. But finance was the problem. He also had a chronic eye problem on one side. He joined as disciple at Sripada Krishnamurthi Sastry, wherein he encountered Tirupati Sastry.
Awards
- Chellapilla Venkata Sastry was conferred Kala Prapoorna by Andhra UniversityAndhra UniversityAndhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
in 1938.
A. Original Compositions in Sanskrit
1. Dhatu Ratnakara Campu (1889–1893) is a campu cavya with the story of RamayanaRamayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
illustrating the use of verbal forms for the roots given by Pāṇini, the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
grammarian.
2. Sringara Sringataka (1891) is a small playlet
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
called Veedhi with predominantly erotic sentiment.
3. Kali Sahasram (1891–1894) is incomplete work (300 slokas) modelled on Lakshmi Sahasram in Sanskrit.
4. Mula Sthaneswara Stuti (1893–1894) was composed in Arya vrittas on Mulasthaneswara, local deity of Nellore
Nellore
Nellore , is a city and headquarters of Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore District, formerly Nellore district.And in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Ancient name of Nellore was "Vikrama Simhapuri"....
.
5. Ashtkas (Kalikadi Stotra), 1889–1890
6. Suka-Rambha Samvadam (1893–1894) is an argumentation between Śuka
Suka
The Suka was a unique fiddle that was played vertically, on the knee or hanging from a strap, and the strings were stopped at the side with the fingernails; similar to the Gadulka. The body of the instrument was very similar to the modern violin, but the neck was very wide, and the pegbox was crude...
, the sage and Rambha, the danseuse. Suka interprets Ananda, the Supreme Bliss, in terms of Vedantic Truth and Rambha interprets it in terms of erotic experience.
7. Namassivaya Stotram (1914–1915) is a devotional panegyric on Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
.
8. Kshampanam (1914–1915)
9. Pishtapeshanam (1914–1915)
10. Salabhalabhanam (1914–1915)
B. Translations from Sanskrit to Telugu
- Devi Bhagavatam, 1896
- Siva Leelalu, 1896
- Purana Gadhalu, 1896
- Vrata Kathalu, 1896
- Srinivasa Vilasamu, 1896–1897
- Rasikanandamu, 1893–1894
- Suka-Rambha Samvadamu (1893–1894) is translation into Telugu from the poets' own work of the same name in Sanskrit.
- Buddha Caritramu, 1899–1900
- Vairagya Sataka of Appaya Dikshita, 1899–1900
- Bala Ramayana of Rajasekhara, 1901–1912
- Mudra Rakshasa of Visakhadatta, 1901–1912
- Mrichchakatika of Sudraka, 1901–1912
- Vikramankadeva Caritra of Bilhana, 1901–1912
- Candraprabha Caritra of Veera Nandi, 1901–1912
- Harsha Caritra of Bana, 1901–1912
D. Original works in Telugu poetry
- Sravananandam (1893–1897; 1897–1898)
- Panigrihita
- Lakshana Parinayamu (1897–1901) was a mythological work describes the marriage of KrishnaKrishnaKrishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
with Lakshana. - Ela Mahatmyamu (1898–1900) was a work on the sanctity of River Ela.
- Jataka Carya (1899–1930) and Iteevali Carya (1930–1950) are two unique works by Venkata Sastry. It is somewhat autobiographical work based on jyotishaphala. He has recorded his life in verse form. First work described his life from 30th to 60th year and the second work almost to the end of his life.
- Divakarastamayamu (1920) is an elegy by Venkata Sastry on the demise of his lifelong partner, Tirupati Sastry.
- George V Pattabhisheka Padyalu (1912) were composed on the occasion of the coronation of King George VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
. - Bobbili Pattabhisheka Kavyamu (1929) was a descriptive poem pertaining to the coronation of the Maharajah of BobbiliBobbiliBobbili is a town, mandal headquarters and a Municipality in Vizianagaram district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.-Geography:Bobbili is located at . It has an average elevation of 103 metres .-History:...
. - Kameswari Satakamu (1901)
- Arogya Kameswari Stuti (1922)
- Arogya Bhaskara Stavamu (1929–1930)
- Mrtyunjaya Stavamu
- Saubhagya Kameshwari Stavamu (1938–1941)
- Sita Stavamu
- Siva Bhakti
- Go-Devi was work on dialogue between a cow and a tiger.
- Pativrata was a kavyaKavyaKavya refers to the Sanskrit literary style used by Indian court poets flourishing from the first half of the seventh century AD. This literary style is characterised by abundant usage of figures of speech, metaphors, similes, and hyperbole to create its emotional effects...
based on a folk song wherein a young woman is married to a snake. - Suseela is a work dealing with social customs like divine dispensation.
- Poorva Hariscandra Caritramu is a mythological work.
- Daiva Tantramu
- Satee Smriti was an elegy by Venkata Sastry on the demise of his wife.
- Krishna Niryanamu (1918) was an elegy on the demise of the Raja of PolavaramPolavaramPolavaram is a village and mandal in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is about 35 km away from the banks of Godavari River at Papi Hills of Eastern Ghats. It consists of 23 villages, 4 in plain area and 19 in scheduled area. The Geddapalli panchayat & its villages are in...
. - Suryanarayana Stuti (1920) was composed by Tirupati Sastry when he was seriously ill before his demise.
- Polavaram Rajah gari Sani Mahadasa (1918) is a deprecation of someone who had brought misfortune to the Rajah of Polavaram, his benefactor.
- Sukha Jeevi is a panegyric describing the qualities of Edara Venkata Rao Pantulu.
E. Original Works in Telugu Drama
- Panditarajamu
- Edward Pattabhisheka Natakamu
- Pandava Jananamu (1901–1917)
- Pandava Pravasamu
- Pandava Rajasuyamu
- Pandava Udyogamu
- Pandava Vijayamu
- Pandava Aswamedhamu
- Anargha Naradamu
- Dambha Vamanamu
- Sukanya
- Prabhavatee-Pradyumnamu (1920–1922)
- Gajanana Vijayamu (1901–1912)
F. Original Works in Telugu Prose
- Bharata Veerulu
- Vikrama Cellapillamu
- Shastipoorti
- Satee Jatakamu