Vemana
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Vemana is a Telugu poet. He has composed numerous poems in Telugu in Aata Veladhi metre which consists of four lines; but the fourth line, with some exceptions, is a mere refrain or chorus in these words Viswadabhirama Vinura Vema. Vemana's style is simple and his poems deal with various social problems and they propose some solutions too. He expresses the feelings of a social reformer and many of his poems criticises and awakens the ardent followers of the old traditions.
Many lines of Vemana's poems managed to become colloquial phrases of the Telugu language. All poems end with the signature line Viswadhaabhi Raama, Vinura Vema. There are also many interpretions of what the last line signifies. It is commonly believed that Viswadha was his lover and neglected other responsibilities in his youth and later realised and became a saint and poet. He is also known as Yogi Vemana.
Though Vemana Satakam (literally means collection of 100 poems though he actually wrote a couple of thousands) is very famous in Telugu literature relatively very less is known about the actual poet. The poems were collected and published by C.P.Brown. His poems are of many kinds, social, moral, satirical and mystic nature. All of the vemana poems are in Ataveladi(dancing lady) meter.
Vemana was a capu (Reddy) and native of Cuddapah district and believed to have lived in Gandikota area of the district but there is no unanimous agreement among scholars about the period of Vemana. C.P.Brown who did extensive work on Vemana in his preface to English translation Verses of Vemana states that the date of birth Vemana states in verse 707 to be Vemana's date of birth. The cyclical date of Hindu calendar coincides with 1652. Brown also adds that from the examination of his works it is satisfactorily proven that vemana wrote in the later part of 17th century.
Sample poems
Uppu Kappurambu nokka polika nundu Chooda chooda ruchulu jaada veru Purushulandu Punya purushulu veraya Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: Although salt and camphor look alike, they can be distinguished easily by taste. So are virtuous people different from the normal run.
Gangi govu paalu garitadainanu chaalu Kadivedainanemi kharamu paalu Bhakti kalugu koodu pattedainanu chaalu Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: A spoonful of milk of a holy cow is worth more than a potful of donkey's milk. So is the food that's earned with respect.
Atmasuddhi leni acharamadi ela Bhandasuddhi leni pakamadi ela Chittasuddi leni sivpujalelara Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: Even the favorite food not cooked cleanly is of no value. So is the prayer and practices with heart not involved.
Alpudeppudu palku adamburamu ganu Sajjanundu palku challaganu Kanchu moginatlu kanakammu mroguna Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: Brass articles make more sound than gold ones on touch. So is the difference between pompous and good person.
Anagananaga raga matisayilluchunundu dhinga dhinga vemu tiyyanundu sadhanamuna panulu samakuru dharalona Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: The more you sing, the more better your voice be. The more you eat, the less you detest sour. Pratice makes things perfect.
Anuvu gani chota Nadhikulamanaradu Kochmayina nadiyu kodava gadu konda addamandu knochami undada Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: When it is not your place or time, do not try to dominate. Hill looks like small in mirror, but is lot bigger than mirrer.
Apadiana velanarasi bandhula judu bhayamuvela judu bantu tanamu Pedavela judu pendlamu gunamu Viswadhaabhuraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: Relatives who help you in problems are real relatives. Army that is daring even at the time of war is real army. Wife that respects you even when you are poor is real wife.
Chippalonabadda chinuku mutyambayye nitabadda chinuku nita galise Brapti galugu chota phalamela tappura Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: The rain drop that fell in the shell becomes a diamond. The one that fell in water becomes water. It is matter of opurtunity and your fortune.
Veshabhashalerigi Kashayavastramul gattagane mukti galugabodhu talalu bodulina talapulu bodula Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinrua Vema
Translation: Wearing saintly dress is less important than your actions. Similarly by cutting a widow's hair does not change her thoughts.
Cheppulona rayi chevilona joriga kantilona nalusu kali mullu intilona poru nintinta gadaya Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: A stone in shoe, a fly near ear, pollen in eye, a thorn in finger are painful. So is the fighting with wife.
Tappulennuvaru Tandopatandambu Lurvi janulakella nundu tappu Tappu lennuvaru tamatappu lerugaru Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Translation: There will be lot of people who find faults with others. Every one has faults. The people who show fingers at you do not see their faults.