Eight pillars that adored Krishnadeva Raya’s court - Asthadiggajas of the Vijayanagar Empire by Aishwarya Lakshmi
“Upon the banks of Tungabhadra, the city of Hampi proudly stands
Flaunting a landmark of rich heritage, sculptures,
and pillared halls
Adored its halls”
– Blue Orchids
Sri Krishnadevaraya was not just the greatest ruler of his time but also a passionate patron of art, music, and architecture. His reign was the Vijayanagar Empire's golden era and witnessed Telugu literature's pinnacle with compositions having musical flow and rhythm. It marked the beginning of freedom, creativity, and self-expression with poets adoring the Vijayanagar court and conquering the eight corners of poetry and literature, the Asthadiggajas.
They include poets Allasani Peddanna, Nandi
Timmanna, Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu, Dhurjati, Madayyagari Mallanna, Tenali
Ramakrishna, Pingali Suranna and Ramaraja Bhushana. Called the Prabandha
era or the period of Ashtadiggajas with each of them composed of one Prabandha
Kavyamu at least setting the rules for the style and promoting it.
Allasani Peddanna
Densely packed betel sent its fragrance,
Masking all others,
To announce the presence of a woman.
(Extracts from Manucarita)
Doted as Andhra Kavitha Pitama by Krishnadevaraya himself, Allasani Peddanna was the most illustrious poet of the Asthadigajjas. Lyrical and harmonious in nature, his compositions were graceful, exquisite, and strikingly realistic with every syllable in place. His work Manu Charitra (or Swaarochisha Manu Sambhavam) is considered one of the Pancha Kavyas or the five best works in Telugu. Through the story of Svarochisha Manu, who ruled over the previous cosmic age and served as a prototype for the first human being, Peddanna explores the dramatic displacements, imaginative projections, and intricate workings of desire for Manu’s birth and formation. The book also talks about the kingship of Sri Krishnadevaraya and its exigencies.
Nandi Timmanna
Now she takes in the perfumes of all the flowers,
And on both sides, she is honored by eyes black as
bees
(From a poem attributed to Thimmana - "Of a beautiful nose like a flower")
Often referred to as Mukku Timmanna for his celebrated poem on women’s noses, Nandi Timmana’s work focused on simple and soft Telugu words rather than lengthy prose. His works are easily understandable and accessible to non-educated people making him the common man’s poet. Chitra Kavita, one of his many poetic experiments, is only a four-line palindromic poem that can be read in both directions. He completed Kannada poet Kumaravyasa's incomplete work Mahabharatha and presented it as “Karnataka Krishnadevaraya Bharatha Kathamanjari” to Krishnadevaraya. His Parijatapaharanam is still one of the greatest romances in Telugu literature.
Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu & Madayyagari Mallanna
Also called Pillala Ramabhadrudu, Ayyalaraju was known to have translated Krishnadevaraya’s Sakala Katha Sara Sangraham into Telugu and worked in the court of Narasaraya after Krishnadevaraya’s death, to whom he dedicated his work Ramabhyudayamu.
Known to have accompanied Sri Krishnadevaraya in all his military conquests, Madayyagiri Mallana dedicated his work to Appaji, the royal minister and the king’s trusted advisor. Unlike his contemporaries, Mallana’s work was original without any Sanskrit counterpart. His Rajasekara Charitram, a take on the military and romantic conquests of Rajasekara, a king of Avanti, is widely known in literary circles even today.
Dhurjati
Praising Lord Shiva with 1000 hymns, Dhurjati Kavi’s Sri Kalahasteeswara Satakam and Sri Kalahasti Mahatyamu are known for etching the myths, legends, and folklore of Sri Kalahasti beyond words. Known for choosing devotion and complete surrender to divinity, his works show the transformation from a court poet to a temple poet, highlighting the shift from courtly pleasures and family bonds to religion and service to the supreme deity, Shiva.
That in peace I may serve you
Leaving all my cares behind
Oh! Lord of Srikalahasti
(Extracts from Sri Kalahasteeswara Satakam)
Known for rich imagery, allusion, and spiritual dictation, Dhurjati’s work is themed around local lore and Puranas and is also credited with stand-alone extempore poems.
Tenali Ramakrishna
The famous Vikata Kavi and Krishnadeva Raya’s court jester, Tenali Ramakrishna, or simple Tenali Rama is still remembered today for his wit, wisdom, and brilliance. A league of his own, his literary masterpiece Panduranga Mahatyam is one of the Pancha Kavyas. Known for its sonorous dignity of paraphrasing, the work enhanced the story of Lord Panduranga (Sri Maha Vishnu), making it the greatest book in Telugu literature that finds relevance even today. His clown-jester-poetry around an imaginary character Nigama Sarma Akka adds in the needed humor making the devotion light and relatable. His other works include Udbhataradhya Charitram and Ghatikachala Mahatyam. He is also popular in folklore with numerous stories based on him that extoll his close relationship with Sri Krishna Deva Raya and is considered as one of the members of Sri Krishna Deva Raya’s inner circle along with Timmarasu and Allasani.
Pingali Suranna
Your feet should be firm,
Your rhythm precise,
If it all works,
The poet becomes popular
One of the greatest poets in Telugu literature, Pingali
is known to have re-introduced slesha, poetry in twin meanings. Kalapurnodayam,
a novel than poetry and Raghava Pandaveeyam, a dvayarthi (double meaning)
style work are known to be revolutionary and one of their kind. His best work Kala
Purnodayam is known for its veritable comedy of errors and holds the
attention of the readers for its dramatic twists and turns in the plot.
Highlighting exemplary organic compositions and subtle usage of words,
Suranna’s work is considered way ahead in time focusing on practicality than
mere fiction.
Ramaraja Bhushana
Bhattamurthi nicknamed Ramaraja Bhushana, was one of the most celebrated poets in Krishnadevaraya’s court who later became a ‘literary jewel’ during Aliya Ramaraya’s reign. His descriptive excellency, twin poetry, and his musical dexterity made him an accomplished poet of his time. His popular works included Kayv-alakrana-sangrahamu, Vasucaritramu, Harischandra Nalopakhyanamu, and Narasabhupaleeyamu.
Playing the veena, she melts down,
The string of syllables she holds,
So that each contains her image,
And each, eternal and transparent,
Is so full.
The goddess lives in the words of the king
(Extracts from Vasucaritha)
A man of re-evaluations in Telugu literature his infinite skill in using ingenious use of slesha, his work stands out with expressive narration, musical symphony, and skillful play of words.
The Ashtadiggajas in Sri Krishnadeva Raya’s court were amongst his close circle, and with their style and expression, totally different from each other. While their contributions added a new paradigm to literature and poetry, they also shed light on the glorious days of the Vijayanagar Empire and its rich cultural history.
References:
2. Ashtadiggajas https://www.indianetzone.com/25/ashtadiggajas_poets_krishnadeva_raya_s_court.htm
3. Krishnadevaraya https://upscwithnikhil.com/article/history/krishnadevaraya
4. The Literary Contribution of Allasani Peddana at Vijayanagara Empire chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.ijrar.org/papers/IJRAR19D1338.pd
5. Nandi Timmana. Early sixteenth century https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1525/9780520925885-016/html?lang=en
6. Nandi Thimmana https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Nandi_Thimmana
7. Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ayyalaraju_Ramabhadrudu, https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/4766591
8. Contributions of Dhurjati https://manishjaishree.com/contribution-of-dhurjati/
9. Dhurjati https://www.indica.today/quick-reads/krishnadeva-raya-golden-age-telugu-literature/
10. Madayyagari Mallana https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/4765928, https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Madayyagari_Mallana
11. Tenali Ramakrishna, The Humorous Poet https://indiathedestiny.com/india-icons/poets-writers/tenali-ramakrishna-humorous-poet/
12. Contributions of Suranna https://manishjaishree.com/contributions-of-pingali-suranna/
FAQs
Ans: A collective title encompassed their work in Telugu and Sanskrit focusing on poetry, drama, prose, and other forms of literature. They were called “Elephants of eight directions” or the “Asthadiggajas” for their literary skills and significant contributions to the courtly culture and literary tradition of the Vijayanagara Empire.
2. Who were the most prominent Asthadiggajas?
Ans: While all eight poets were well known for their skill and talent, Allasani Peddanna and Tenali Ramakrishna are remembered the most. The former is the propagator of Telugu literature and the latter for his wit, humor, and wisdom.
3. What is the general theme of Dhurjati poetry?
Ans: Unlike his contemporaries, Dhurjati chose devotion as the main theme for his writing. His famous works include Sri Kalahasteeswara Satakam and Sri Kalahasti Mahatyamu
4. Which Vijayanagar emperor patronized Ashtadiggajas?
Ans: Sri Krishnadevaraya, the third monarch of the Tuluva dynasty patronized them and his rule witnessed the Golden Period of Telugu Literature.
5. When was the Golden Period of Telugu Literature?
Ans: 1540 AD to 1600 AD
A UX researcher by morning and a bookworm by night, Aishwarya leads a dual life juggling between books and wireframes
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