Author Description

Jagannatha Pandita Rayalu - a Sanskrit poet, scholar, critic and musician of the 17th century is regarded as the last giant of Sanskrit poetry. He was exceptionally original, best and brilliant. With his unequal poetic genius thoughts, exquisite style and form - he strode like colossus in the field of literature. He bewildered his elephantine opponents throughout the country. This book throws a light on how Jagannatha Pandita Rayalu, born in Munganda an obscure village on the banks of the Godavari(Andhra Pradesh) at a very young age - left his home town in search of glory and recognition and created history in far-off lands. The book talks about how he reached his pinnacle as the court-poet of the illustrious Mulghal Emperor Shah Jahan. He was respected for his wit, wisdom and consummate political skills by eminent kings and emperors like Maharaja Jay Singh, Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan. In his magnanimous work "Rasa Gandhara", Jagannatha Pandita Rayalu brilliantly expounded and portrayed his immortal "Kavya Siddhantha". This book also talks about the other works of Jagannatha Pandita Rayalu like Panchalahari, Vilasas, Mukatas which earned him eternal fame. Pandita Raya who enjoyed the patronage of kings and emperors beyond measure, in his twilight years faced trials and tribulations due to political changes in Agra. In the end, this devout Hindu surrendered himself to his mother "Ganga Mata".