There was no manumental Telugu poetical work worth its name before Nannaya. Ramaraja Bhushana, the court poet of Sri Krishnadevaraya, eulogised Nannaya as Vaganusasana while another poet of repute Marana praised him as the Father of Telugu Literature.
He was called the First poet as he brought out the first manumental Telugu poetical work The Mahabharata. He was awarded the titles of First poet and Vaganusasana (one who commanded word). He was the court poet of King Raja Raja Narendra. We have prepared the study material in such a way that those students, who are quite unfamiliar with Telugu literature, can grasp the content easily. We have provided practice material about the great poets who tower the sky of literature and the various periods in the evolution of the language. Now they are covered under Group - 11, there is every chance that related questions of the topic may be asked in the exam. Even when this topic was not covered under Group -11 syllabus, related questions were asked in General Studies. The student is advised to study various poets, writers and playwrights and understand the influence of their writings on the literature. The changes that had taken places in the literature from Nannayan period to modern times are dealt with, in this booklet. If all these parts are read religiously, the student will, no doubt cover all the aspects of the evolution of Telugu language.Īnd now the evolution of Telugu literature. The structure of modern Telugu languageĬ. The structure of language used in literary forms.ģ. The Telugu, which existed prior to the age of Nannaya, called Pre Nannayan Period.Ģ. This gradual evolution of Telugu language can be divided into certain parts for the convenience of learning.ġ. The first known Telugu word is NAGABU as found in an inscription at Amaravati. This way the changes a language undergoes are part and parcel in the gruadual evolution of language. Again it traverses along with literature and evolves continuously into an ever finer element. Language takes time to flower into an instrument, fit for the creation of literature. Telugu language existed atleast thousand years prior to the age of Nannaya, the first (known) poet in Telugu language. Though language is the base for literature, it is the literature that stands out as the ultimate realisation for language. Aesthetic expression is the chief motif of literature. What we use for communication in our day to day life is language while, what we adopt to compose a poem, or write a story or play or any other literary form is literature. Language is more expansive when compared to literature. But, readers who read this material with a specific aim are expected to discern the difference between the two. The words language and literature may sound the same for an average reader. It consists of the gradual evolution of language and literature among other topics.
This topic is related to the culture of Andhra Pradesh specially designed for Group - 11 examinations. Language and literature, in addition to handing over culture as heritage to future generations, it also preserves culture alive. If communication is the elementary purpose of language, the ultimate destination is the creation of rich body of literature. It is the richness of literature that defines the greatness of a language, not its acoustics. Evolution of literature is an important transit point in the long strides of language. The fundamental shape of language is literature. Similarly no culture can hand over its characteristics to future generations sans language. It imbibes the elements of culture in the form of literature and hands over to future generations. Language, literature and culture are interwoven intimately. It is an important element which influences culture.