Ramayana Kalpavriksham
By Viswanatha Satyanarayana
The Ramayana for Viswanatha, is not merely the story of Rama, the Divine Archer, but the story of the Indian psyche, its responses under trying circumstances, the triumph of the spirit over the matter, the supremacy of values over interests and the enthroning of Dharma as much in the hearts of men as in their affairs. It is legacy of values patterned beautifully in the very texture of the story of Rama and Sita. Values like humility, courtesy, love and respect to all, courage, beautifulness, truthfulness, single-minded devotion between spouses, impartiality, respectful devotion to parents and elders, and above all a need for sacrifice and self-abnegation. Viswanatha has followed Valmiki in the narration of the story, but he has made a few beautiful alterations. As we start reading the Ramayana Kalpavriksham, we are ushered into the classical Treta yuga by the magic of his diction, description and delineation. It received the Jnanpith Award in 1971.
About the Author
Viswanatha Satyanarayana (1895–1976) is regarded as one of the most important writers and poets of the Telugu canon. His oeuvre includes poetry, novels, drama, short stories and speeches, covering a wide range of subjects such as analysis of history, philosophy, religion, sociology, political science, linguistics, psychology and consciousness studies, epistemology, aesthetics and spiritualism. He was the first Telugu writer to receive Jnanpith Award in 1971. Viswanatha’s style of poetry was classical in nature and his popular works include Ramayana Kalpa Vrukshamu (Ramayana the wish-granting divine tree), Kinnersani patalu (Mermaid songs) and Veyipadagalu (The Thousand Hoods). He was also felicitated with the Padma Bhushan.
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