Viswanatha Satyanarayana was a Telugu literate. Born in 1895, he was a neo-classicist. He started his career as a romantic poet of unbridled imaginative capability. He soon turned to his magnum opus, the epic Ramayana Kalpavriksham, and also wrote two classic novels. His greatest contribution to Telugu theatre lies in his presentation of the tragic vision.
Early Life of Viswanatha Satyanarayana
Satyanarayana was born to Parvati Devi and Shobhanadri, an affluent Velanadu Vaidiki Brahmin family. He had two younger brothers and one elder sister. His father, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, was a philanthropist.
After his schooling in the village, Satyanarayana had his early education at the National College, Machilipatnam. He obtained the masters degree in Sanskrit Literature from the University of Madras in 1929. During his stay at Machilipatam, he came under the influence of Chellapilla Venkata Sastry, Pingali Lakshmikantam, Kota Venkata Chelam and Katuri Venkateswara Rao. He began writing at the age of 14.
Career of Viswanatha Satyanarayana
Out of his fourteen plays, Nartanasala i.e. "Dancing Hall" is the best. This was a tragedy based on Shakespearean lines. It encompasses the story of Kichaka, who was a king of rare qualities but his desires were the reason for his fall. Anarkali during 1924-5 is a lyrical tragedy. The mythological Venaraju during 1933-4 deals with Vena`s ant traditionalist attitudes of which he became a victim. Trisulam or "Trident" in 1937 powerfully dramatizes the history of Bij jala`s conflict with Basaveswara, wherein the relative importance of religion and political authority is discussed. Satyanarayana also wrote two short tragedies, Kavya Harishchandramu i.e. `Epic Harishchandra` and Veda Harishchandramu i.e. `Vedic Harishchandra`. Some of his social dramas include Talliknipilla i.e. "Motherless Child" in 1935, Antha natakame i.e. "All Is Drama" in 1951, etc. Some more can be mentioned as Pravahamu i.e. "Current" in 1957, Lopala-bayata i.e. `Inside, Outside` in 1963, Satyagrahamu i.e. `Truthful Anger` in 1964. All of them are treating relationships between men and women satirically.
Following lists some of his works, not exhaustively -
Anarkali, Andhraprasasti, Aaru nadulu, Amrita Sharmisthan, Baddanna Senani, Bhagawantuni Meeda Paga, Chandra guptuni swapnam, Cheliyali Katta, Bhramara vaasini, Bhrashta Yogi, Chitlee Chitlani Gaajulu, Dantapu Duvvena, Doota Meghamu, Ekaveera, Girikumarini Prema Geetalu, Haa Haa Hoo Hoo, Dhanya kailaasam (a drama), Dhooma Rekha, Dindu Kinda Poka Chekka, Kadimi Chettu, Kasmira rajatarangini, Ma Babu, Mihirakuludu, Naastika Dhoomama, Kinnerasani Patalu, Lalita Pattapu Rani, Nando Raja Bhavishyati, Sasidutam, Saudamini, Sri Krishna Sangeetamu, , Nartanasala, Purana vaira grandha mala, Srimad Ramayana Kalpa Vrukshamu, Trisulam, Varalakshmi Trisati, Sringara Veedhi, Swarganiki Nicchenalu, Vishnu Sarma Englishu Chaduvu, Visweswara Satakam, Veyipadagalu.
Viswanatha Satyanarayana died in 1976.
He was awarded the Jnanpith Award and Padma Bhushan in 1970
