Tikkana was born into a Telugu speaking Niyogi Brahmin family during the Golden Age of the Kakatiya dynasty. He was the second poet of the "Trinity of Poets " that translated Mahabharata into Telugu. Nannaya Bhattaraka was the first to translate two and a half chapters of Mahabharata. Tikkana translated the final 15 chapters, but did not undertake translating the half-finished Aranya Parvamu. The Telugu people remained without this last translation for more than a century, until it was translated by Errana. Tikkana is also called Tikkana Somayaji, as he has completed the Somayaga. Tikkana tiles are Kavibrahma & Ubhaya Kavi Mitrudu.
Religious conflict
Tikkana was born in 1205 in Kovur, Nellore district during the Golden Age of the Kakatiya dynasty. During this time when conflict occurred between the two sects of Sanatana Dharma, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. At this juncture, Tikkana attempted to bring peace between the warring Shivaites and Vaishnavites.
Political situation
Although most of the Northern India came under Muslim rule, the strong Kakatiya, Chalukya and Chola empires in the South prevented the Muslim onslaught. Emperor Ganapatideva of Kakatiya dynasty brought all the Telugu kingdoms under his rule for the first time. Consequently, the clashes between smaller kingdoms came under control making way for the prosperity and development of art and literature. Tikkana was the Prime Minister of Manumasiddhi, the king of Nellore and a descendant of Kakatiya dynasty. When Manumasiddhi was dethroned by his cousins, Tikkana visited Orugallu to request the help of the Ganapatideva. The Emperor gave him a grand welcome in Warangal and restored Nellore throne to Manumasiddhi. Tikkana dedicated his first literary workNirvachanottara Ramayanamu, to Ganapatideva. In this work he narrated the later part of Ramayanamu, the story of Sita's banishment to forests and the birth of Lava and Kusa to Sita in the forest. Later, Tikkana translated Mahabharatamu and dedicated it to Hariharanadha.
Writing style
The specialty of his style of writing is that it is mostly Telugu, unlike Nannayya whose work was mostly sanskritized. Tikkana used Telugu words even to express very difficult expressions and ideas. He used Telugu words and parables extensively. He is titled Ubhayabashakavimitrudu, as his poetic style pleases both Sanskrit and Telugu poets.
Examples
The flavor of Telugu national similes spice up his poetry, e.g., madugu cheerayandu masi thaakintlu- as if pure white cheera is touched by soot, paalalo padina balli vidhambuna-like the lizard in the milk, neyvosina yagni bhangi- like the fire in which neyyi was poured, mantalo midutalu chochchinatlayina- fate of locusts flew into the fire, kantikin reppayu bole- like the eyelid for the eye, nooti kappa vidhambuna- like a frog in the well, etc.
Philosophy
During the reign of Emperor Ganapatideva, Shaivites, Vaishnvites, Jains had meetings to discuss different philosophies. Tikkana participated in those religious meetings and defeated the Buddhist and Jain participants and established Hinduism. During this time he proposed the unity of God. He preached that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu were one and that the apparent differences in names were made up and were untrue. This philosophy is known as "Hariharaadvaitamu Hariharaanadhudu called him Thikka Sharma please dedicate to me." To firmly establish this principle, Tikkana translated Mahabharatamu into Telugu. This was a great contribution to the peace and unity of Telugus.
Other works
Tikkana's other literary contributions include Vijayasenamu, Kavivaagbandhamu, Krishnasatakamu, etc. Though he was second to Nannayya in attempting to translate Mahabharatamu and second poet among the Trinity of Poets, he is second to none in his political, religious and literary accomplishments.
There is a library named after him in Guntur. It is maintained by a committee headed by Machiraju Sitapati and Kurakula Guraviah, an ex-corporator. In 2013 they celebrated 100 years of the library's functioning. There was a television series made on the life of Tikkana.
