Vemana

Vema Reddy, popularly known as Yogi Vemana, was an Indian philosopher and poet in the Telugu language. His poems are known for their use of simple language and native idioms. They discuss the subjects of yoga, wisdom and morality.

Vemana
Painting of Vemana
Born17th century
Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India
DiedKatarupalli Village, Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh
OccupationAchala Yogi, Poet, Social Reformer

Early life and background

There is no consensus among scholars about the period in which Vemana lived. C.P. Brown, known for his research on Vemana, estimates his year of birth to be 1652 based on some of his verses. Various sources say he was born in the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.[1]

Vemana was from a royal upper community. Brown says this was the Hindu Reddy Community. Reddy community has a history of ruling the land between two major historical temples which are still a buzzing and famous pilgrimage destinations, Land between Srisailam and Tirumala Tirupati. That’s almost 120 kilometres of distance between the two places.Vemana was a Vedic scholar and also a member of the royal court before he renounced himself and became a yogi, they join the Jangam section they give up their previous caste and family appellation and are usually called by the name of their sect alone. Vemana was a great yogi in achala sidhantha.[2]

Vemana was born in Gandikota, Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh. //

Death

There is a headstone marking the grave of Yogi Vemana in Katarupalli (Kadiri town), a village in Kadiri taluk, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. It is believed widely that Vemana died in this village. Being a Yogi, he was buried and not cremated.

Poetic style

Many lines of yogi Vemana's poems are now colloquial phrases of the Telugu language. They end with the signature line Viswadaabhi Raama Vinura Vema, literally Beloved of Viswada, listen Vema. There are many interpretations of what the last line signifies.

Vemana's poems were collected and published by Brown in the 19th century.[3] His poems are of many kinds, social, moral, satirical and mystic nature. Most of them are in Ataveladi (dancing lady) meter.

The films

References
  1. Jackson, William Joseph (2004). Vijayanagara voices: exploring South Indian history and Hindu literature. Ashgate Publishing. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-7546-3950-3.
  2. "Vemana Community". Indian Cinema Wiki.
  3. Brown, C.P. (1829). Verse of Vemana: Translated from the Telugu.
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