Nannaya (1023 -1063 CE) stands as a pivotal figure in the literary history of Telugu. Born during the 11th century CE, he served as the court poet and priest to King Rajaraja Narendra of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty. His patronage and position afforded him the opportunity to undertake a monumental task: translating a portion of the Mahabharata into Telugu.
Commissioned by King Rajaraja Narendra himself, Nannaya
embarked on the translation of the epic, beginning with the Adi Parva, Sabha
Parva, and a portion of the Aranya Parva. However, the project remained
unfinished during his lifetime, yet it laid a significant foundation for future
literary endeavors in Telugu. The translation was later continued by Tikkana in
the 13th century CE and Errapragada (Errana) in the 14th century CE. Telugu
Translation of Mahabharata is known as Kavitraya Bharatamu.
While Nannaya's work was intended as a translation, he
skillfully interwove his own narrative touches and stylistic nuances,
effectively transforming it into more of a creative retelling rather than a
strict rendering of the original text. This artistic license not only showcased
Nannaya's literary prowess but also contributed to the richness and depth of
Telugu literature.
Beyond his translation of the Mahabharata, Nannaya made
indelible contributions to the development of the Telugu language itself. He
authored the Andhra-shabda-chintamani, recognized as the first grammar text
dedicated to Telugu, which provided a systematic framework for understanding
and utilizing the language. Additionally, he is attributed with several other
works such as Chamundika-vilas, Indra-vijayam, and Lakshmana-saram, although
there is some scholarly debate regarding their authorship.
Nannaya's legacy endures not only through his literary
achievements but also through his profound influence on subsequent generations
of Telugu writers and scholars. His fusion of prose and poetry, coupled with
his innovative storytelling techniques, laid the groundwork for the flourishing
of Telugu literature and cemented his place as one of its foremost luminaries.