| ANNAMACHARYA
Annamayya - the Social Reformer :
Padakavita Pitamaha Annamayya,
believed to be an incarnation of "Nandakam" (the sword of Lord
Vishnu) was born to the couple of Lakkamamba in the village of Tallapaka. At the age of
16, he is known to have been blessed and preached by Lord Venkateswara Himself to compose
Keertanas in His praise. Ever since, he is known to have written some thousands of
Keertanas one a day.
Though his compositions were all based on
Lord Venkateswara, they had a profound impact on the general public apprising them of the
needs of reforming the evils of the society. His "Na Bhuto na Bhavishyati"
was a reflection of many an aspect like socialism, secularism, nationalism and humanism.
The concept of universal soul was well conceived by him.
Annamayya was probably the first to
propound the equality of women in all walks of life on par with the men. He not only had a
high regard for them but also supported their literary endeavour. It of course would be no
exaggeration to give due credit to him for setting into practice the now familiar call for
women's liberation. Interesting to know is the fact that Timmakka, the
author of "Subhadra Kalyanam" and the saint’s wife was the first poetess.
Sarvanarasimha, King of
Penugonda can be said to have been blessed with the opportunity to publish the treasure of
around 32000 Keertanas for preserving them to the pleasure of successive generations.
Annamacharya was regarded as a social
reformer and his keertanas and padams enraptured one and all. His message all along to the
then generations and those there on, put in a single liner was
"Sarvejana Sukhino Bhavantu Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi" |
