The parallel "free-verse" movement in easy prose of Telugu literature criticised him as a bigot who hung onto the strict rules of poetry such asYati,Prasa (rhyme) andChandas (meter). However this only covers a part of the wide variety of literature he created. At the same time, there was no contemporary in Telugu literature who could match his depth of the subjects he covered and his mastery of literature. A book with his memories compiled has been released.[4][5]
Viswanatha Satyanarayana was the son of Shobhanadri, aBrahmin landlord, and his wife Parvathi. He was born in their forefathers' placeNandamuru,Krishna District,Madras Presidency (currently inUnguturu Mandal,Krishna district inAndhra Pradesh) on 10 September 1895. He went toVeedhi Badi (literal translation: street school) which were recognized informal schools during 19th and early 20th century in India. During his childhood village culture has made a long-lasting impression on Satyanarayana and he learnt a lot from it. Traditional performers of street folk art forms attracted and educated him. These art forms involves story-telling, extempore poetry, music, performance, and dance in different forms. They left deep impression on his thought and story-telling. Bonding among villagers beyond castes and social barriers, beauty of village life were also shaped his thought and ideology later.
His upper primary education shifted to well-known Nobel College in near-byBandar at age 11.[6] His father Shobhanadri, who almost lost his wealth due to his charity by then, thought that English-centric education can help his son to get a good living.[7]
He worked as the first principal of Karimnagar Government College (1959–61).[8] Some of Viswanatha’s disciples formed a committee withTummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao andCherakupalli Jamadagni Sarma as Secretaries and organizedSahasra Purna Chandrodayam celebrations (శ్రీ కవిసమ్రాట్ విశ్వనాథ సహస్ర చంద్రదర్శనశాంతి పౌష్టికోత్సవం) for two days at Vijayawada (14 and 15 September) in 1976. Vedic rituals in the morning followed by Sahithyagoshti (meeting) in the evenings marked the occasion.[9]
Viswanatha was of the view that history is not the story of kings but the narrative that gives one an understanding of the sociological, political, economic, cultural, scientific, spiritual and aesthetic lives of man in a given time, and their evolution.[10] Based onKota Venkatachalam's chronology Vishwanatha wrote three series of novels depicting all these aspects of ancient and medieval society, along with stories woven around the famous characters of three royal lineages:
Purana Vaira granthamala is a series of 12 novels about the Magadha Royal dynasties after Mahabharata war. In this series, there are two tendencies – Krishna representing Dharma, and Jayadratha representing the darker side of human psyche, the unrighteous side. The primary characters in each of the 12 novels behave under the influence of these two tendencies, each having its temporal victories.
Nepala Rajavamsa caritra is a series of 6 novels about the Nepali Royal dynasties. This series expounds Carvaka school of thought, its intricacies and sub-schools, social life and values influenced by carvakas.
Kashmira Rajavamsa caritra is a series of 6 novels woven around the Royal dynasties that ruled Kashmir.
Viswanatha's literary works includes 30 poems, 20 plays, 60 novels, 10 critical estimates, 200Khand kavyas, 35 short stories, three playlets, 70 essays, 50 radio plays, 10 essays in English, 10 works is Sanskrit, three translations, 100 introductions and forewords as well as radio talks. Some of his poems and novels have been translated into English,Hindi,Tamil,Malayalam,Urdu andSanskrit.
Maa Babu (Our babu(babu is a word that suits for son, dad and owner))
Jebu Dongalu (Pickpocketers)
Veera Valladu (Valla the valorous)
Vallabha Mantri (The Minister Vallabha), after Sardar Vallabhai Patel
Vishnu Sharma English Chaduvu (Vishnu Sharma Learning English), in which Tikkana and Vishnu Sarma two great literary figures of India attempt to learn English from the author. This parody is a critique of English and its grammar. The Novel is being dramatised and Staged in Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad.in 2006 and made as a tele film by Doordarsanin 2008 and won the Golden Nandi Award.Dr. G.B. Ramakrishna Sastry acted as Viswanadha Satyanarayana and secured the Nandi Award for Best Acting.
Pulula Satyagraham (Tigers Satyagraha)
Devatala Yuddhamu (The Battle of Gods)
Punarjanma (Rebirth)
Pariksha (Exam)
Nandigrama Rajyam (Kingdom of Nandigam)
Banavati
Antaratma (The Conscient Self)
Ganguly Prema Katha (Ganguly's Love Story)
Aaru Nadulu (Six Rivers)
Chandavolu Rani (The Queen of Chandavolu)
Pralayanaadu
Ha Ha Hu Hu, the name of a horse-faced demigod who does a mythical landing in London
Mroyu Tummeda (The Humming Bee), an in-depth analysis of Traditional Indian Music, sound and consciousness
Samudrapu Dibba (Ocean Dune)
Damayanti Swayamvaram (Swayamvara of Princess Damayanti)
He was given the honorific "Kavi Samrat" (emperor of poets).
In 1964 Andhra Viswa Kala Parishat gave him the honorific "Kalaprapoorna".
In 1942 onSankranthi atGudivada he was honored by climbing him on the elephant(gajarohana). 60 years completion celebrations(shashtipoorthi) was also held atGudivada in 1956.
^Modern Indian literature, an anthology. George, K. M., Sahitya Akademi. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. 1992.ISBN8172013248.OCLC29599405.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
