Krishnadevaraya : Accomplished scholar & Great patron of literature

Krishnadevaraya was one of the greatest rulers of South India. He was the third ruler of the Tuluva dynasty and brought almost entire South India under his reign. He was bestowed with various titles such as Andhra Bhoja, Moory Rayara Ganda, Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana.

Krishnadevaraya was a man of many talents and took keen interest in art, literature and architecture. He had keen interest in Telgu and Sanskrit literature and wrote several works in these languages. His most famous work is Amukta Malyada, which is written in Telgu and describes the wedding of Vishnu and Andal. He wrote a drama in Sanskrit ‘Jambavati Kalyana’ and maintained a personal diary written in Kannada ‘ Krishnadevaraya DInachari’ . Apart form Jamabavati Kalyana written in Sanskrit, his works include – Madalasa Charita, Rasamanjari and Satyavadu Parinaya.

The Ashtadiggajas

Krishnadevaraya also patronised poets and scholars with expertise ranging from maths to literature. Ashtadiggajas or Eight poets are known to be a part of his court.

The 8 poets include :
1. Allasani Peddana
2. Madayagiri Mallana
3. Dhurjati
4. Nandi Timmara
5. Ramaraja Bhushana
6. Pingali Surana
7. Tenali Ramakrishna
8. Ayyalaraju Rambhara

He also encouraged women to take up writing. Some of the famous works by women include the Varadambika Parinaya by Tirumalamba Devi in Sanskrit and Madhurvijayam written by Ganaga Devi which describes the conquest of Madurai Sultanate.

Hence, we can see that the Krishnadevaraya was a great patron of literature and learning. His reign is described as the golden age of Telugu literature.