VEMANA POEM RECITATION COMPETITION

The Shri Krishnadevaraya Trust in collaboration with the Telugu Speaking Union organized, as usual, this year also, the Vemana Poem recitation competition. It was meant for students learning Telugu in the primary schools of Mauritius. More than hundred students expressed their wish to participate and the competition was held at the Mauritius Andhra Maha Sabha, Grand River North West, Port Louis, on Saturday 15 July, 2011.

Quite a good number of parents and teachers were present to encourage their children. Most of the officers from the Telugu inspectorate of the Ministry of Education were also present.

Each participant came on stage in front of the audience and recited his/her poem and explained the meaning of the poem in Telugu. The participant was then assessed by a panel of three juries. It was marvelous to listen to each and every student reciting a poem of Vemana in their own style and in their own free way.

Jury members

Vemana was a Telugu poet who lived around the period 1400 – 1500 AD.  Scholars do not unanimously agree about the period in which he lived. C.P.Brown, who did extensive work on Vemana in his preface to the English translation- Verses of Vemana, states that the date of birth from his 707th verse is Vemana’s date of birth. But it is not clear. This cyclical date of Hindu calendar coincides with 1412 or 1472. Brown also wrote that the verses of Vemana were 400 years older in his preface of the book ‘Vemana padyalu’.

Vemana was a Telugu poet. He composed numerous poems in Telugu in Aata Veladhi metre which consists of four lines; the fourth line, with some exceptions, is the refrain or chorus …Viswadabhirama Vinura Vema. Vemana’s style is simple, his poems deal with social problems and sometimes propose solutions too. With the zeal of a social reformer, many of his poems criticize and strive to give fresh perspective to ardent followers of old, embedded traditions.

We do not have much information about the poet. Very less is known about him.

Vemana was from a ‘Reddy’ family and native of Kadapa district and believed to have lived in Gandikota area of the district.

The Andhra Pradesh’s government(2004-2009) under the Chief Ministry of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy established an University in Kadapa on his name… Yogi Vemana University.

The following students enthralled the audience with their performance.

1. Sooriah Kesharee    …..        First Prize         ….. E. Rochecoute G S, Q Bornes

2. Chenchoogadoo Savina…..Second Prize…..Rajiv Gandhi G S, Riche Marre

3. Yenkanah Shanina……         Third Prize  …….Rajiv Gandhi G S, Riche Marre

4. Uppiah Sheeya        ……    Consolation Prize….Bheewa Mahadoo G S, R du Rempart

5. Bangarigadoo Mrugaakshi…Consolation Prize… Ramnarain Roy G S

6. Sunassee Rebecca       ………  Consolation Prize… Charles telfair G S

7. Sooriah Nancy              ……..  Consolatio Prize … Louis Nellan G S

8. Swami Bhervin              ………Consolation Prize… Aryan Vedic H A S

9. Subbareddi Luciana    …….. Consolation Prize.,.. Pandit Sahadeo G S

10. Achadoo Alisha    …….        Consolation Prize… Willoughby G S

This poem is very famous in Mauritius. Many children are seen to recite this poem very easily.

Winner of the competition demonstrating a poem with pictures

Atmasuddhi leni acharamadi ela

Bhandasuddhi leni pakamadi ela

Chittasuddi leni sivpujalelara

Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema

English translation…

What is the purpose of custom without inner purity?

What is the purpose of cooking without cleanliness of vessels?

What is the purpose of worship of Shiva without purity of mind?

Beloved of the Bounteous, Vema, listen!

Chairperson of the Trust thanking the participants and audience

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