The first poet of Telugu and the beginning of the Mahabharata translation. Nannayya Bhatta lived in the 11th century, possibly during the reign of the Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra (1022–1061 CE). He undertook the monumental task of translating the Sanskrit Mahabharata into Telugu, beginning with the Adi Parvam (Book of Beginnings). He also completed the Sabha Parvam (Book of the Assembly Hall) and a portion of the Aranya Parvam (Book of the Forest) before his death. His translation is not a literal rendering but a creative adaptation that captures the ethos of the original while making it accessible to Telugu audiences. The elegance of his verse, the precision of his grammar, and his mastery of both Sanskrit and Telugu earned him the title Adi Kavi – the first poet of the language.
The Kavitrayam – a trinity of poets. Nannayya’s unfinished work was continued two centuries later by Tikkana (1205–1288 CE), who translated 15 parvams from Virata Parvam to Svargarohana Parvam, deliberately skipping the Aranya Parvam left incomplete by Nannayya. Finally, Errana (14th century) filled the gap by translating the remainder of Aranya Parvam. Together, they are celebrated as the Kavitrayam (the three poets), and their combined work is the standard Telugu version of the Mahabharata, still recited and performed in villages across Andhra and Telangana.
Grammarian and Jain religious leader. Nannayya wrote a treatise on Telugu grammar (c. 1130 CE) in Sanskrit verse, which was later used by scholars like Sarangadhara and Appa Kavi. He bore the title Bhattaraka, indicating he was a head of a Digambara Jain institution, responsible for training scholars, maintaining libraries, and managing endowments. Several inscriptions in Telugu and Kannada from the 11th–12th centuries mention Nannayya or his contemporaries, confirming his historical reality and his association with royal courts.
Literary Works – The Telugu Mahabharatam
Epigraphic Evidence – Nannayya in Stone and Copper
Nandampudi grant (1053 CE): A copper‑plate inscription of the Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra (also called Rajarajanarendra). It records a grant of land to a Brahmin named Narayana Bhatta, but the composition of the charter is attributed to Nannayya Bhatta, who is described as a great poet in both Sanskrit and Telugu. This is the earliest epigraphic reference to Nannayya and confirms his role as a royal court poet.
Chillagiri inscription (1058 CE): A pillar inscription in agricultural land, written in Telugu‑Kannada script. It records that Bana Soma Bhattaraka made a gift of land for the god Mulasthanadeva. While not directly about Nannayya, it shows that Bhattarakas (Jain teachers) were active in the region and held temporal authority.
Utturu inscriptions (Nalgonda, 1087–1089 CE): Three Telugu verse inscriptions from the Matturi family, mentioning a solar eclipse and land grants to various deities. They are composed in metrical forms (Utpalamala, Champakamala, Mattebha) within a generation of Nannayya, attesting to the early maturity of Telugu poetry.
Patacheru inscription (Sangareddy, 1127 CE): Dated C.V.E. 51 Parabhava, Phalguna su. 7 (22 February 1127 CE). It states that the officer Pasayita Bammanayya, acting on the orders of the Kalyani Chalukya king Somesvara III, granted the privilege of collecting a measure of grain from Chintamanipura to Nannayya Bhatta, the astrologer, for calculating the auspicious date for the king’s military expedition. This is the latest known inscription mentioning Nannayya by name, indicating he was alive and active in 1127 CE.
The Kavitrayam – Trinity of Telugu Poets
Nannayya (11th century): Adi Kavi – began the translation, wrote three parvams.
Tikkana (13th century): Continued the work, translating 15 parvams from Virata Parvam to Svargarohana Parvam. He skipped the Aranya Parvam to avoid overlapping with Nannayya’s incomplete portion.
Errana (14th century): Filled the gap by completing the remainder of Aranya Parvam. He also wrote a Telugu version of the Ramayana.
The Kavitrayam’s Mahabharata is considered the crowning achievement of Telugu classical literature. Their styles are distinct yet harmonious: Nannayya is known for his formal, Sanskrit‑laden diction; Tikkana for his graceful, flowing narrative; and Errana for his devotional intensity.
Epigraphic Sites (Telangana & Andhra)
Patacheru (Sangareddy district, Telangana)
The 1127 CE inscription that explicitly names Nannayya Bhatta as an astrologer. The inscription is on a pillar; exact location is near the Patacheru village (now part of Sangareddy district).
Chillagiri (Banswada, Nizamabad district, Telangana)
A pillar inscription (1058 CE) referencing a Jain Bhattaraka, showing the prevalence of Jain teachers in the region during Nannayya’s era.
Utturu (Miryalaguda taluk, Nalgonda district, Telangana)
Three Telugu verse inscriptions (1087–1089 CE) from the Matturi family. They illustrate the early development of Telugu poetic metres.
Nandampudi (East Godavari district, Andhra)
The copper‑plate grant of Rajaraja Narendra (1053 CE) composed by Nannayya. The plates are now in a museum (possibly Chennai or Vijayawada).
Suggested Heritage Trail – Following Nannayya’s Footsteps
One‑Day Itinerary (Hyderabad / Telangana)
- 9:00 AM: Start from Hyderabad. Drive to Patacheru (Sangareddy district, ≈70 km, 1.5 hours). Visit the village and locate the inscribed pillar (local guidance needed).
- 11:30 AM: Drive to Nizamabad district (≈80 km) to see the Chillagiri inscription (Banswada).
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at Nizamabad or en route.
- 4:00 PM: Optionally visit the Nalgonda district for the Utturu inscriptions (Miryalaguda).
- 7:00 PM: Return to Hyderabad.
Note: Many of these sites are off‑road; prior permission from the State Archaeology Department may be required.
Visitor Information – Key Inscription Sites
Patacheru (Sangareddy)
Location: Near the village temple / agricultural fields. The pillar is not signposted; ask local elders for “Nannayya Bhatta’s pillar”.
Condition: Worn but legible.
Best time: Daylight hours.
Chillagiri (Banswada)
Access: From Banswada town (Nizamabad district), drive ≈8 km to Chillagiri. The inscription is on a pillar in farmland.
Nearby: Banswada Jain temple (Digambara).
Tips for Researchers & Literature Enthusiasts
📜 Insider tip: The Patacheru inscription (1127 CE) is the only record that explicitly names Nannayya Bhatta as a living person (“astrologer Nannaya Bhatta”). It also mentions the Kalyani Chalukya king Somesvara III, placing Nannayya in a historical context outside of the Eastern Chalukya court. The inscription has not been translated into English comprehensively; a careful reading reveals that he was rewarded for calculating an auspicious military campaign date. This aligns with the tradition that Nannayya was also a court astrologer.
Legacy – The Eternal First Poet
Nannayya Bhatta’s contribution to Telugu literature and language cannot be overstated. Before him, Telugu was primarily an oral and inscriptional language; after him, it became a literary vehicle capable of bearing the weight of the Mahabharata. His grammar formalised the rules, and his poetic style set the standard for six centuries. Along with Tikkana and Errana, he created a cultural monument that continues to be read, performed, and revered. The inscriptions that bear his name – from Nandampudi to Patacheru – authenticate his historical existence and reveal his multiple roles: poet, grammarian, astrologer, and Jain teacher. He truly is the Adi Kavi – the first poet of Telugu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Nannayya called Adi Kavi?
Because he is the first known Telugu poet to compose a major literary work (the Mahabharata translation) with a consistent grammatical framework. Earlier Telugu poetry existed only in inscriptions.
Did Nannayya complete the Telugu Mahabharata?
No, he only completed Adi, Sabha and part of Aranya Parvam. Tikkana and Errana finished it later.
What is a Bhattaraka?
A Bhattaraka is a head of a Digambara Jain institution, responsible for monastic training, libraries, and endowments. Nannayya held this title, indicating he was a Jain leader.
Where can I read Nannayya’s grammar?
The original Sanskrit work is lost; it is known only through references in later works, such as Appa Kavi’s commentaries.
Are there any statues of Nannayya?
Several in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including at the Telugu University (Hyderabad) and near the Nannayya Park in Rajahmundry (Andhra).
Is the Patacheru inscription really Nannayya?
Yes. The inscription names “Nannaya Bhatta” and describes him as an astrologer. Given the date (1127 CE) and title, it is almost certainly the same person as the poet.
References & Further Reading
- Wikipedia – Nannayya
- Telugu Mahabharatam – Kavitrayam
- Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XII (includes Nandampudi grant)
- Annual Reports of the Archaeological Survey of India (1900–1910) – references to Patacheru inscription.
- Bhattaraka tradition – research articles by Dr. P. Flügel (Jain Studies).