#compassion #equanimity

Allasani Peddana

Allasani Peddana, a prominent Telugu poet during the 15th and 16th centuries, holds a revered place in literature. Krishnadevaraya, the emperor of Vijayanagara, adorned him with the title “Andhra Kavita Pitamaha” (the grand old man of Telugu poetry). His learning spanned both Sanskrit and Telugu, and his storytelling prowess was extraordinary. Peddana’s magnum opus, Swaarochisha Manu Sambhavam (also known as Manu Charitramu), extends an episode from the Markandeya Purana, narrating the birth of Svarochisha-manu. In this work, he weaves together fiction, descriptions, and ancient wisdom, creating a literary monument that resonates across time.