The literary genius of Jnanpeeth awardee and Kavisamrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana touched all genres embodying the core values of Indian-ness and Telugu tradition, speakers said at a function organised to release the book “Viswanatha, A literary legend” an English translation of the works of the writer.
The book was brought out by Sri Viswanatha Sahithya Peetham, Hyderabad. Retired director of Telugu Academy and honorary chairman of the peetham V. Kondal Rao edited the volume. The function was organised at the public library on Wednesday by Viswanatha peethams here and Hyderabad.
Actor and writer Gollapudi Maruti Rao who released the book described Viswanatha as a visionary and poet comparable to Adi Sankara and Kaliadasa. In spite of his great erudition, he was large-hearted to recognise other writers much younger than him and make amends he said quoting an instance early in his life. He described himself as a bhakta of the legendary writer.
Police Commissioner J. Purnachandra Rao in his brief address said he benefited from the programme as he got fairly good introduction to Viswanatha. The tradition that ran through the works of Viswanatha would stand the nation in good stead.
Mr. Kondal Rao said he had worked for two years to bring out the volume and to spread the greatness of his writings the book was released in four cities in Andhra Pradesh and the US and the UK. Six books on his humour were brought out and 10 epitomising his thinking and writings were on the anvil. His statue was unveiled at the Central Library at Hyderabad. He described Viswanatha as a symbol of rich Telugu tradition and culture.
Quoting poet Gunturu Seshendra Sarma, Director of Centre for Policy Studies A. Prasanna Kumar described Viswanatha as being in a creative trance.
Peri Ravi Kumar who reviewed the book quoted a poem Viswanatha wrote when he was 17years old that spoke of his literary quest in highly philosophical and poetic terms. Describing his versatility,
Mr. Ravi Kumar said “Ha ha hee hoo” was set in Trafalgar Square and perhaps the credit for writing a novel on toddy-tappers also went to the Kavisamrat.
