14^th century saw the downfall of the Kakatiya empire and the rise of a number of small kingdoms like the Reddis of Kondavidu. Errapragada refererred to above was the court poet of Prolaya Vema, a Reddi king. His first work was Ramayana in Champu which is now lost. His junior contemporary and rival was Nachana Somanadha a great scholar. In his translation of Uttara-Harivamsa by his artistic descriptions, lively conversations and beautiful imagery, he converted the Puranic story into a work of art, leading the way for Prabandha of a later age.

The next 150 years i.e. from 1350 to 1500 may be said to be the age of Srinatha since he happened to be the dominating literary personality during that time. He visited various courts, parts of the country and took part in literary and poetic contests had the honor of Kanakabhisheka at the hands of Devaraya II of Vijayanagara. His first work and first of its kind in Telegu was the translation of Salivahana Saptasati from Prakrit to Telegu. He had great leanings towards Saivism and translated Bhimesvarapuranam and Kasikhandam dealing with holy places connected with Saiva worship. In Palnati-Viracharitra he entered the field of historical romance. Not only did Srinatha love his country with great devotion but he also depicted the life and manners of various parts of the country with a humorous touch of all his own in his Vidhinataka.

Potana, another outstanding poet translated the Bhagvata into Telegu and chose to dedicate it to Lord Ram, the human incarnation of God, whom he worshipped with devotion. A number of works dealing with stories connected with the exploits or deeds of personages of old were produced during this period. Jakkana’s Vikramarkacharita deals with stories connected with King Vikrama. Navanadhacharitra of Gaurana describes the exploits of the Nine Nadhas or Saiva saints. Suranna translated the Vishnu Purana. The Upanishadic story of Nachiketas was developed in Telegu by Daggupalli Duggana in a work called Nasiketup-akhyana. The Vaishnavite influence in Telegu literature began to be felt during this period.

Thus though the translation of the Puranas, Kavyas, short stories, mahatmyas and scientific works also supplied the topics for the poets during this period. All these seem to have marked the gradual transition of Telegu poetry from Purana to the classical period –Prabandha. It is also called the golden age of Telegu literature during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya.

Krishnadeva Raya 1505 to 1529 – was a patron of art and letters. All the famous artists were employed to decorate his palaces and temples. Though he extended his patronage to writers in all languages including Sanskrit he specially favored T. The Augustan age of T literature, which began, with the accession of Saluva Narasimha burst forth in full splendor during his reign. Himself the author of Amukta-malyada, one of the greatest poems in the language. It deals with the story of Andal and Vishnu Chitta, two of the Alvars, eminent advocates of a true Vaishnava Bhakti Cult in South India. It is a storehouse of his personality, scholarship, worldly wisdom, knowledge of political science, religious understanding and Bhakti or sense of devotion to God. He loved to surround himself with poets and men of letters. His court was adorned by a group of eight eminent T poets called Ashtadiggajas or the elephants supporting the eight cardinal points of the literary world. He created the concept of a scholar king, one of whose important duties was to protect poets and men of letters and foster the growth of language and literature. It was thereafter recognized by all Telegu kings that one of their principal duties was to patronize T poets and learned men, encourage the growth of literature. As a consequence notwithstanding the many political changes subsequently T literature flourished owing to the patronage of the generations of princes and chiefs who bore sway over the land.

After reading about this period I have realized that political stability is very important for development of art and literature. An enlightened King can play a pivotal role in encouraging arts.