Classical Telugu Poetry: An Anthology

The classical tradition in Telugu is one of the richest, most original, and least explored of all South Asian literatures. This anthology—the first of its kind—opens a window to a thousand years of poetry in Telugu. Each of the major poets is represented in this anthology by a substantial selection. The poetry is often startling in its freshness, individuality and depth. The anthology ranges from the epic narrative poetry of Nannaya and Tikkana to the personal lyrics of Annamayya and Dhurjati. In the introductory essay, the authors provide readers with an understanding of the evolving structure and innovations of this tradition from its beginnings in the eleventh century up to the twentieth century. Compiled by two well-known scholars, this anthology will help bring the world of Telugu poetry to a wider audience of aficionados, connoisseurs, and scholars. A companion volume, Twentieth Century Telugu Poetry: An Anthology by V. Narayana Rao, covers the modern period.