Palkurki Somanatha

Palkuriki Somanatha, who was an inhabitant of the Telangana region in the time of Prataparudra, was an erudite scholar and a linguist. In his later life, he espoused ViraSaivism. His greatest Telugu poetical works include 'Basava Purana'. 'Panditaradhya Charitra' and 'Vrishadhipa Satakamu'.


Somanatha was the first poet who attempted to write in 'Desi' (Janu Tenugu). His 'Basava Purana' is in popular Dwipada metre. Gona Buddharaja's 'Ranganatha Ramayanamu' in the same two-footed verse, 'Bhaskara Ramayanamu' ascribed to Bhaskara, Mallikarjunabhatta and others and the works of Nanne Choda, Manchana, Malliya Rechana, Baddena, Sivadevayya, Madiki Singana and Yathavakkula Annamayya enriched the Telugu literature during the age of the Kakatiyas New styles of Telugu poetry, like Prabhandha and Staka, made their appearance




The Kakatiya period constitutes an important chapter in; the history of Telugu literature. It was under the patronage of the Kakatiya generals and feudatories, much religious and secular literature was produced in Telugu. The Bhakti cults largely contributed to the Telugu literature. In fact, after Nannayabhatta, the Telugu literature suffered an eclipse for nearly a century. But from the later half of the 13th century A.D., a continuous stream of literary output can be seen. Undoubtedly the period is described as the age of Tikkana, Tikkana Somayaji, who was in the service of the Telugu Choda princes of Nellore, visited the court of the Kakatiyas, sought and got the help of Ganapatideva for his master who was in distress. This great poet had for his credit two important works in Telugu. The first one is 'Nirvachanottara Ramayanamu'. Though a highly Sanskritised style was employed, it is characterised by excellent literary qualities and abounding elements of pathos and heroism. However it is the 'Andhra Mahabharata' which brought for Tikkana undying fame and made him one of the immortals. Though it is a translation of the last fifteen parvas of the Mahabharata, left out by his predecessor Nannaya, yet Tikkana put life and blood into it with an avowed objective of making ft a kavya. His delineation of character, dramatic dialogue and lucid and at the same time suggestive exposition of facts are masterly in nature. His broad spiritual outlook, lofty idealism, high imagination and splendid diction made him 'Kavi Brahma' (The Supreme Creator among poets). Ketana who translated Dandin's 'Dasakumara Charitra' into Telugu, and Marana who wrote 'Markandeya Puranamu' were his contemporaries and admirers.


some Kavyas in Sanskrit prose and commentaries on philosophical and theological works were also produced during this period. The Kakatiya period constitutes an important chapter in; the history of Telugu literature. It was under the patronage of the Kakatiya generals and feudatories, much religious and secular literature was produced in Telugu. The Bhakti cults largely contributed to the Telugu literature. In fact, after Nannayabhatta, the Telugu literature suffered an eclipse for nearly a century. But from the later half of the 13th century A.D., a continuous stream of literary output can be seen. Undoubtedly the period is described as the age of Tikkana, Tikkana Somayaji, who was in the service of the Telugu Choda princes of Nellore, visited the court of the Kakatiyas, sought and got the help of Ganapatideva for his master who was in distress. This great poet had for his credit two important works in Telugu. The first one is 'Nirvachanottara Ramayanamu'. Though a highly Sanskritised style was employed, it is characterised by excellent literary qualities and abounding elements of pathos and heroism. However it is the 'Andhra Mahabharata' which brought for Tikkana undying fame and made him one of the immortals. Though it is a translation of the last fifteen parvas of the Mahabharata, left out by his predecessor Nannaya, yet Tikkana put life and blood into it with an avowed objective of making ft a kavya. His delineation of character, dramatic dialogue and lucid and at the same time suggestive exposition of facts are masterly in nature. His broad spiritual outlook, lofty idealism, high imagination and splendid diction made him 'Kavi Brahma' (The Supreme Creator among poets). Ketana who translated Dandin's 'Dasakumara Charitra' into Telugu, and Marana who wrote 'Markandeya Puranamu' were his contemporaries and admirers.