People of Andhra and Telangana fought over the nativity and legacy of saint poet Pothana for a long time but now, his grave at Bammera village in Palakurthy mandal, lies in utter neglect.
Considered a great poet, he translated Bhagavatham from Sanskrit to Telugu and authored Bhogini Dhandakam among many other works. He was known for his poems, which are still popular among Telugu people.
Some believed he belonged to Warangal district while others claim he belonged to Kadapa district. Professor M. Panduranga Rao of NIT Warangal and his friend B.V. Papa Rao, a retired IAS officer, presently the advisor to the Telangana government, floated the Kakatiya Heritage Trust and purchased four acres of land, which also has Pothana’s grave. “This is the land he tilled and an agriculture well still exists here,” Mr. Panduranga Rao said.
Former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao used his good offices two decades ago and got a memorial constructed near Pothana’s samadhi. That building also lies in neglect as it has not been maintained over the years.
The Kakatiya Heritage Trust decided to build a beautiful memorial on Pothana’s grave and a garden.
The plan was to raise a garden around it and make it a tourist spot.
According to Mr. Panduranga Rao, the then Government of Andhra Pradesh sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh for its development when the Trust agreed to hand over the land to the government.
“Now, we have asked the Telangana government to sanction Rs. 2 crore and want the Tourism Corporation to develop the land. The proposal is being considered by the Telangana government,” he explained.
