What was the role of Telugu Language in South Indian Literature?

Nachana Somanatha was a great scholar both in Sanskrit and Telugu. He composed Uttara Harivamsamu which deals with the prowess of Lord Krishna in the closing years of his life. The greatest poet during the era was, however, Pillalamarri Pina Virabhadra Kavi who composed the Telugu version of Kalidasa’s Sakuntla in verse.

Tallapaka Annamacharya, the saint-poet, was a friend of the scholar-statesman Saluva Narasimha. He was pioneer in producing devotional music. Srinatha was a celebrated poet. He translated Naisadhiya Charita of Sri Harsa. This is regarded as a monumental work which ranks among the panchamahakavyas of the Telugu literature.

He wrote a large number of works such as Kasikhandam and Vidhinatakam. Among the celebrated Telugu poets of Devaraya II’s court, mention may be made of Jakanna and Pinna Virabhadra. Sarada was a gifted poetess who wrote about 18 dramas. Srinatha’s brother-in-law, Potana (A.D. 1400-A.D. 1475) translated his Bhagavata.

Krishna-devaraya was himself a poet of renown and is remembered for his great work Amukta Malyada. The theme is marriage of the god Sriranganatha of Srirangam with Goda Devi. His partronage attracted a large number of poets to his court.

Among the “Asht Diggajamulu” or the eight great elephants of his court poets, special mention may be made of Allasani Peddana, Nandi Timmana, Pingali Suranna, Ramaraja Bhushana, Dhurjat and Tenali Ramakrishna. Krishnadevaraya’s rule lasted only for 21 years but a galaxy of poets and scholars adorned his court who have left an abiding impact in the literary field.

In the 16th century, quite a few poets flourished. Ramabhadraih wrote Ratnbhyudayam while Rama Raj Bhushan was the author of Vasucharitramu. He also wrote Harishchandra.