Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a…

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Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Krishnadeva Raya was a scholar-king who wrote the Telugu classic Amuktamalyada and the Sanskrit play Jambavati Kalyanam, and a patron whose court nurtured Telugu, Kannada and Sanskrit learning. His eight court poets, the Ashtadiggajas led by Allasani Peddana, opened the Telugu prabandha age.

**Introduction**

"Desa bhashalandu Telugu lessa" (among the languages of the land, Telugu is the finest) comes from Krishnadeva Raya's own Amuktamalyada. The Tuluva ruler of Vijayanagara (1509-1529), titled Andhra Bhoja, was both an author and the centre of a brilliant court.

**Krishnadeva Raya as a Scholar-King**

SKETCH: tree | Krishnadeva Raya and Letters
- Scholar-king
  - Amuktamalyada (Telugu)
  - Jambavati Kalyanam (Sanskrit)
- Patron
  - Ashtadiggajas
  - Vyasatirtha, Haridasas

1. **A Telugu classic**: Amuktamalyada, on the Alvar saint Andal and her union with Ranganatha of Srirangam, is counted among the five great Telugu kavyas (Pancha Kavyalu).
2. **Statecraft in verse**: Its rajaniti passages advise building tanks, developing ports and welcoming foreign horse traders, so the poem doubles as a ruler's manual.
3. **A Sanskrit dramatist**: He wrote the Sanskrit play Jambavati Kalyanam, showing command of the classical idiom too.

**Krishnadeva Raya as a Patron of Learning**

1. **The Ashtadiggajas**: Eight poets adorned his Bhuvana Vijayam, including Allasani Peddana (Manucharitra), honoured as Andhra Kavita Pitamaha, Nandi Thimmana and Dhurjati, opening the Telugu prabandha age.
2. **Beyond one language**: Kannada poets such as Mallanarya and Timmanna Kavi and Sanskrit scholars received gifts and agraharas.
3. **Religious learning**: He honoured the Madhva scholar Vyasatirtha, and the Haridasa songs of Purandaradasa flourished.
4. **Limits**: Court poetry mostly reworked Puranic themes in an ornate, erotic, elite style, and many of his Sanskrit works survive only by name.

**Conclusion**

Krishnadeva Raya joined poet and patron in one person, making Hampi a capital of letters as well as of arms. The Telugu classical tradition, recognised in 2008, still draws on the age he opened.

Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

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