Kavitrayam


Kavitrayam is a Telugu expression for trinity of poets. Kavitrayam popularly refers to the poets who translated the great epic Mahabharata into Telugu. The group/trinity consists of Nannayya, Tikkana and Yerrapragada.

Nannayya

He was popularly hailed as Adi Kavi or the first poet, belonged to Rajamahendravaram, an ancient city in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. He is said to have belonged to 1000 - 1100. Nannayya initiated the gigantic task of translation of the great epic Mahabharata into Telugu language. Before translation, he had to revise Telugu by building new grammar rules and increase its vocabulary. Nannayya used many of the Sanskrit words directly in Telugu too. Thus Nannayya made Telugu more Sanskritized. Thus lot of Nannayya's time was gone in building a scaffold for the great activity. He was able to translate the first 2½ parvas into Telugu.

Thikkana

He belonged to Paturu, kovur taluknellore, a territory in 13th century's Orugallu kingdom. Thikkana took over the task from Nannayya. He could almost complete task by translating from 4th to 18th chapters of that book. He could start the task right from day one, because Telugu was considerably an improved language by his times. However, he never attempted the 3rd chapter, thus leaving the task incomplete.

Yerrapragada

Errana was a great Telugu poet in the court of Prolaya Vemareddy, the founder of Reddy dynasty of Kondaveedu, who ruled Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, and Kurnool districts with capital of Addanki. Errana was also known as Yellapregada or Errapregada. He was honored with the title Prabandha Parameshwara and Shambudasusu.
He completed the translation by finishing the remaining part of 3rd chapter.belonged to 14th century.