Ramanaiah who has stirred a controversy and invited criticism for his opinion has reiterated his stand that Krishnadevaraya was a Andhrite.

Speaking after inaugurating a national seminar on “Krishnadevaraya” organised to mark the 500th year of king’s coronation here , he said there were ample evidences to establish his claim. The famous king spent his childhood days at Chandragiri near Tirupati. He had authored several poems in Telugu and showed his immense love for the language in one of his works, the VC said reciting the poem. Several inscriptions in Andhra Pradesh and verses of famous Telugu poets who were Krishnadevaraya’s court support that he was trained to ascend the throne, in Andhra state, Ramanaiah said.
The VC said he faced criticism from Kannada scholars for stating that Krishnadevaraya belonged to Andhra. “ I am ready to tender my apology if the scholars from Karnataka prove that the Krishnadevaraya was not from Andhra ,” the VC remarked.

In his keynote address, R V S Sundaram, another Telugu scholar and former professor of University of Mysore said that Hampi was the capital of Krishnadevaraya. The Telugu language was at its peak of glory during his time. It was natural that his court attracted scholars from far and wide. His court had scholars from Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. He had received several titles like Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana and Andhra Bhoja and others. Krishnadevaraya loved and respected all culture and languages. One of his writings in Telugu was the subject that was related to Tamil Nadu, he said hinting in a broadside that digging deep into the origins and roots of Krishnadevaraya was unnecessary and futile exercise.

He said the Tulu language was also part of the heritage of Krishnadevaraya’s kingdom. He commended the initative of Dravida University in introducing Tulu as one of its courses. Except for Mangalore University, no other university offer Tulu as course, he added.

The day-long seminar was organised jointly by Karnataka State Open University(KSOU) and Dravida University. Prof  K S Rangappa, vice-chancellor of KSOU, registrar Jayaprakash Rao, Dean Jagadeesha, Adinarayana Reddy, president of Sevabhava samiti were present.
DH News Service