Allasani Peddana
Encyclopedia
Allasani Peddana (15th and 16th centuries CE
) was a famous Telugu
poet
and was ranked as the foremost of the Astadiggajalu the title for the group of eight poets in the court
of King Krishnadevaraya
, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire
.
District, which is an Agraharam given by Krishnadevaraya
. Alternative sources say his birth place as Dornala village near the present day Srisailam
. Still there are few remains around the village which strongly indicates about his presence in that area. He was a nandavariki brahmin.First he was a smartha and then converted to vaishnavam by his guru sathakopa yati.
He wrote the first major Prabandha, a form of fictional poetry in Telugu
, and for this reason, he is revered as Andhra Kavithaa Pithaamahudu (literally the grand father of Telugu poetry). It is believed that he was also a minister in the king's court and is hence sometimes referred as Peddanaamaatya (Etymology: Peddana + Amaatya = Peddana, the minister). He dedicated his works to king Krishnadevaraya
.
Puranam relating to the birth of Svarochishamanu, who
is one of the fourteen Manu
s. Pravarakhyudu
is a pious Brahmin
youth who goes to Himalayas
for Tapasya. In Himalayas Varudhini, a Gandharva
girl falls in love with him, but Pravarakhyudu rejects her love. Knowing this a Gandharva
youth who was earlier rejected by Varudhini assumes the form of Pravarakhyudu and succeeds to win her love. To them is born Svarochisha, the father of SvArochishamanu.
Some of his other famous works such as Harikathaasaaramu are untraceable now.
. It is about second Manu of fourteen manus (fathers of mankind societies according to Hindu
mythology), translated into Telugu from Sanskrit by Marana (1291–1323), disciple of Tikkana
. The original story was around 150 poems and Peddana extended into six chapters with 600 poems by adding fiction and descriptions.
His work was treated as one of the Pancha Kavyas
, the five best works in Telugu. Peddana used a mix of words from Telugu and Sanskrit
and a small number of Kannada words.
Common Era
Common Era ,abbreviated as CE, is an alternative designation for the calendar era originally introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, traditionally identified with Anno Domini .Dates before the year 1 CE are indicated by the usage of BCE, short for Before the Common Era Common Era...
) was a famous 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...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and was ranked as the foremost of the Astadiggajalu the title for the group of eight poets in the court
Noble court
The court of a monarch, or at some periods an important nobleman, is a term for the extended household and all those who regularly attended on the ruler or central figure...
of King Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya
Śrī Kriṣhṇa Devarāya , , , and also known as Krishna Devarayulu in some inscriptions was the famed Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1509–1529 CE.He is the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians...
, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
.
Biography
Peddana was a native of Somandepalli near Anantapur. He later moved Peddanapadu, a small village located at 5 km from Yerraguntla on Yerraguntla-Vempalli road in KadapaKadapa
Kadapa , formerly Cuddapah, is a city in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, India . The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate...
District, which is an Agraharam given by Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya
Śrī Kriṣhṇa Devarāya , , , and also known as Krishna Devarayulu in some inscriptions was the famed Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1509–1529 CE.He is the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians...
. Alternative sources say his birth place as Dornala village near the present day Srisailam
Srisailam
Srisailam is a holy town and mandal, situated in Nallamala Hills of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of River Krishna, about 232 km south of Hyderabad....
. Still there are few remains around the village which strongly indicates about his presence in that area. He was a nandavariki brahmin.First he was a smartha and then converted to vaishnavam by his guru sathakopa yati.
He wrote the first major Prabandha, a form of fictional poetry in Telugu
Telugu literature
The Telugu literature or Telugu Sahityam is one of the most precious possessions of the literary products of India. Telugu literature is rich reserve of poems, stories, dramas and puranas. It flowered in the early 16th century under the Vijayanagar empire, of which Telugu was one of the court...
, and for this reason, he is revered as Andhra Kavithaa Pithaamahudu (literally the grand father of Telugu poetry). It is believed that he was also a minister in the king's court and is hence sometimes referred as Peddanaamaatya (Etymology: Peddana + Amaatya = Peddana, the minister). He dedicated his works to king Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya
Śrī Kriṣhṇa Devarāya , , , and also known as Krishna Devarayulu in some inscriptions was the famed Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1509–1529 CE.He is the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians...
.
Lores
- The emperor himself lifted and bore the weight of the palanquin in which Peddana was seated.
- He was bestowed with Kanakabhisheka by the king.
- He was the only poet who had the privilege of mounting the royal elephants.
Works
His famous work was Swaarochisha Manu Sambhavam (also known as Manu Charitra). This work is the development of an episode in MarkandeyaMarkandeya
Markandeya is an ancient rishi from the Hindu tradition, born in the clan of Bhrigu Rishi. He is celebrated as a devotee of both Shiva and Vishnu and is mentioned in a number of stories from the Puranas...
Puranam relating to the birth of Svarochishamanu, who
is one of the fourteen Manu
Manu (Hinduism)
In various Hindu traditions, Manu is a title accorded to the progenitor of mankind, and also the very first brahman king to rule this earth, who saved mankind from the universal flood. He was absolutely honest which was why he was initially known as "Satyavrata"...
s. Pravarakhyudu
Pravarakhyudu
Pravarakhyudu is a 2009 Telugu film Produced by Ganesh Indukuri on Tolly 2 holly films banner and directed by Madan . The film stars Jagapati Babu and Priyamani in the lead roles. The film has music scored by M.M. Keeravani...
is a pious Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
youth who goes to Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
for Tapasya. In Himalayas Varudhini, a Gandharva
Gandharva
Gandharva is a name used for distinct mythological beings in Hinduism and Buddhism; it is also a term for skilled singers in Indian classical music.-In Hinduism:...
girl falls in love with him, but Pravarakhyudu rejects her love. Knowing this a Gandharva
Gandharva
Gandharva is a name used for distinct mythological beings in Hinduism and Buddhism; it is also a term for skilled singers in Indian classical music.-In Hinduism:...
youth who was earlier rejected by Varudhini assumes the form of Pravarakhyudu and succeeds to win her love. To them is born Svarochisha, the father of SvArochishamanu.
Some of his other famous works such as Harikathaasaaramu are untraceable now.
Style
The theme for his Manu Charitra is a short story from Markandeya PuranaMarkandeya Purana
The Markandeya Purana is one of the major eighteen Mahapuranas, a genre of Hindu religious texts. It is written in the style of a dialogue between the ancient sage Markandeya and Jaimini, a disciple of Vyasa.-Contents:...
. It is about second Manu of fourteen manus (fathers of mankind societies according to 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...
mythology), translated into Telugu from Sanskrit by Marana (1291–1323), disciple of Tikkana
Tikkana
Tikkana was born into a family of Shaivite family during the Golden Age of the Kakatiya dynasty. He was the second poet of the "Trinity of Poets " that translated Mahabharatamu into Telugu over a period of centuries. Nannaya Bhattaraka was the first, though he translated only two and a half...
. The original story was around 150 poems and Peddana extended into six chapters with 600 poems by adding fiction and descriptions.
His work was treated as one of the Pancha Kavyas
Pancha Kavyas
The following are the Telugu Pancha Kavyas, the five great books of Telugu Literature.* Manu Charitha - Allasani Peddana* Panduranga Mahatyam - Tenali Ramakrishna* Amuktyamalyada - Sri Krishnadevaraya...
, the five best works in Telugu. Peddana used a mix of words from Telugu and 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...
and a small number of Kannada words.
Awards and Titles
- He was honoured with Title Andhra Kavita Pitamaha by KrishnadevarayaKrishnadevarayaŚrī Kriṣhṇa Devarāya , , , and also known as Krishna Devarayulu in some inscriptions was the famed Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1509–1529 CE.He is the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians...
.