DR. V.V.L. NARASIMHA RAO, M.A., Ph.D.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh took up for consideration the question of publication of the manuscripts on a variety of subjects keeping in view the cultural heritage of the country. From this point of view, Holy Scriptures, literary works in poetry and prose, grammar, prosody, and poetics and inscriptions of historical and literary importance were chosen for publication. The Andhra Pradesh Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Institute has already brought out ten publications in Sanskrit, Hindi and English languages. These publications are illustrious of the intentions of the Government. Some rare unpublished works from the treasure of the Urdu, Arabic and Persian sections of this Manuscript Library are also under active consideration for publication.
Of the many rare and invaluable works taken up for printing. the present volume is an excellent poetical work in Telugu entitled "UDAYANODAYAMU
Udayanodayamu
"Udayanodayamu" is the eleventh publication in the series of Andhra Pradesh Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Institute. This is a rare unpublished Champu Prabandha of Narana Surana, a poet belonging to the second quarter of the sixteenth century A. D. The word 'Prabandha' is a synonym for 'Kavya' in Sanskrit. In Telugu, it evolved mainly into a champu prabandha which means a descriptive poem with an admixture of prose. During the period of Krishnadevaraya a number of such descriptive poems came out. Parijatapaharanamu by Timmana, Manucharitramu by Peddana, Amuktamalyada by Krishnadevaraya and a number of other works composed during the sixteenth century appear in glittering gold in the history of Telugu literature and hence the very age is called the golden age of prabandhas. Udayanodayamu of Narana Surana which has not, so far, seen the light of the day belongs to this age and by virtue of its poetic excellence it occupies its own place in the gallaxy of the great champu prabandhas.
Narana Surana
Surana, son of a Niyogi Brahmin couple-Narana and Akkamba possibly belonged to Cuddapah district. In the colophon of the poem it was made clear that the cream of his poetry was the benevolence of Lord Indreswara. The temple of Indreswara is in Chintalapotturu, a village in Cuddapah District. Further, the patron of Udayanodayamu namely Bhaskaramatya was a resident of Mudivemula or Mudiyam Agraharam, which is in Jammalamadugu Taluk of Cuddapah District, Thus it is seen that the patron and the poet belong to the same district.
The Dedication and date of the work
Available evidence points to the fact that the poet suffered for want of patronage for his work. It was only after the death of the poet, his son, Narana (named after his grandfather) dedicated Udayanodayamu to Bhaskaramatya at the latter's request.
Bhaskaramatya was the counsellor and chieftain of Kondavidu (Guntur District) duly appointed by Bayakara Rama Pradhani. Rama Pradhani was a great counsellor and army chieftain under the Karnataka kings. He was an expert musician and also the author of 'Swaramela Kalanidhi an authentic work on music. His very title 'Bayakara reveals that he was a great musician.
Bhaskaramatya, the patron of 'Udayanodayamu was grateful to Ramayamatya who appointed the former as chieftain of Kondavidu.
The dates of Ramayamatya's inscriptions which range from 1539 to 1556 A.D. are to some extent helpful in deciding the date of Bhaskaramatya and Narana Surana. Since Udayanodayamu was dedicated to Bhaskaramatya after the death of Surana, Surana must have been alive upto the date a little earlier than 1539 A.D. There is no evidence to show that he brought out any of his poetical exercises during the period of Krishnadevaraya. Further, Surana's poetry reveals that he was inspired by poets like Peddana and Timmana.
It may, therefore, be concluded that Surana must have composed his works sometime during the early second quarter of the sixteenth century. Sri Changanti Seshaiah, in his "Andhra Kavitarangini" (Vol. IX-P. 85) confirms this date.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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