46 



Essay on Telugu Literature. 



[July 



colloquial Telugu is just as corrupt as English was in 1700 when every 

 speech was interlarded with French or Spanish. 



Yet I am far from denying the utility of (he Hindustani dialect : as 

 we may denominate the mixed Telugu. There are many convenient 

 English and Hindustani words in every-day use, which do not admit of 

 intelligible translation into Telugu. The number of these doubtless will 

 increase (not unprofitably) in time : I would only deprecate the exces- 

 sive use of this slipshod jargon. 



13. If we wish to learn the language completely, to have any degree 

 of ease in speaking or accuracy in writing, we must devote some time and 

 labour to reading a few of the easiest and most popular poems.* Indeed 

 common consideration will shew us that foreigners who study a language 

 must of necessity learn it in the poets ; because this is the easiest as 

 well as the securest path. What should we think of the English acquire- 

 ments of a foreigner who could read neither Goldsmith nor Cow per? 

 should we condemn him for w asting his hours, if he devoted himself to 

 studying those authors (though popularity may have rendered them vul- 

 gar) who among us have attained classical rank ? 



14. In the literature of the Andhras three bright aeras are generally 

 pointed out : the first, that of Nannaya Bhatta and Bhimana ; coeval 

 with the writers of the three earliest Jangama poems. The next (assigned 

 to A. D. 1200) is that of Ticcana Somayaji and about two centuries later 

 was the brightest noon of learning,iliuminated by Bhattu Murti and other 

 bards who are emphatically called the " gems." From the want of dates 

 in Telugu literature it is impossible to ascertain precisely the eera at 

 which these writers flourished; but it would seem lhat their illustrious 

 patron Krishna I|ayalu died in the year 1458, of the Christian eera : 

 corresponding with year 1387 of the sera of Saiivahana.t 



* Such as Vemana.'the Saranga Dhara Dwipada, the Vijaya Vilasam and the Anhuddha 

 Charitra, which one will be able to read after perusing a few common trials such as he can 

 borrow from any criminal couit. He may then proceed to the Mahabharat. Yet I look 

 upon the Lila as sufficient : it is not more difficult in style than the Lady of the Lake : 

 in sweetness and purity of diction it equals Theocritus: but its popularity among the 

 Jan*avnas is looked upon with an evil eye by the Vaishnavites and Saivites who hold it 

 heretical. In point of morals it is far purer than the works which they consider sacred, 

 and I know no Telugu book so agreeable or profitable to a beginner. An edition and 

 translation of this will I hope soon be prepared; The Nala Catha Dwipada is also an 

 excellent book for a beginner. 



+ This date is preserved in the following couplet :— 

 Araya SSlivahana sac abdamul, adri gaj agni sowujan 

 Tarana vatsarainbuna ni diigha dinambuna, Chaitra sucla sash 

 Thl, Ravi vasarambuna, Nri — simhani Krishnudu chere swargam. A' 

 Dwaracan unna Krishna yava tara Samaptamu chendu caivad'in* 



