Telugu poetry

Telugu poetry is verse originating in the southern provinces of India, predominantly from modern Andhra Pradesh and some corners of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Telugu language literature is 3500 years old. Though ambiguity exists in this regard, it might be even older than or even contemporary to the professed South Indian ancient languages. Archaeological work regarding its antiquity has been restrained because of poor funding to such authorities. There are books such as Gadha Sapta Shati dating back to 100 AD. Poetry from the language covers spiritual, mythological and secular writings. Earliest available poetry was found on the Epigraphs and Victory Inscriptions. Nonavailability of ancient literature despite the language being quite old is attributed to the little support that the language received from the pre-1000 AD rulers. During the period of patronage of Eastern Chalukya rulers in 1000 AD, the language attained its present script, rich vocabulary and grammar rules. This standardization led to development in the quantity and quality of literature of Telugu Language, which was predominantly composed of poetry. This phase of development reached its zenith under the rule of Sri Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara Empire. Modern Telugu poetry has seen English transliterations. Sri Riasat Ali Taj (1930–1999), a prominent personality, poet, author, critic, writer, educationist, linguist and translator from Karimnagar, has made poetic translations (Manzoom Tarjuma in Urdu Rubaiyaat) published in popular Urdu magazines and newspapers in early 1950s.

This era saw the beginning of the translation of the epic Mahabharata into Telugu by three great scholars Nannaya, Tikkana and Errana. These three scholars were reverently called as Kavitrayam (trinity of poets). They completed the great epic in three parts by adopting styles and setting standards, thereby paving way for the future writers. However, despite the best efforts of the scholars of this era, Telugu language used in the poetry included various words imported from Sanskrit and was thus out of reach of the common man.

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