Rayalaseema
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
the region marked in green
Rayalaseema (Telugu: రాయలసీమ)is a geographic region in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It includes the districts of Kurnool, Kadapa (formerly known as 'Cuddapah'), Anantapur, Chittoor, parts of Prakasam and Nellore districts. Bellary district of the present day Karnataka was part of Rayalaseema till the states were reorganized. The usage of the word and identification to a geographic area is relatively recent (early 20th century).
The word "Rayalaseema" means the land ruled by Sri Krishnadevaraya. Rayalaseema was the original home of Eastern Chalukyas. They gradually extended their sway over Karnata country because of the pressure from Cholas kings. Although Rayalaseema is a relatively small region compared to the rest of Telugu speaking regions, its contribution to Telugu, Urdu, arts, culture and literature is immense.
Contents[hide]
1 Culture
2 Literature
3 Music
4 Pilgrimage
5 Tourism
6 Spirituality
7 Politics
8 Factionism
9 See also
10 External links
11 Sources
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[edit] Culture
Amongst the Trilingas, Srisailam is the foremost amongst them is in Rayalaseema. The first settlement of Telugus is said to be in Rayalaseema Region. The oldest written inscription ShilaShaasanam bearing the word Andhra Pathamu has been found in Bellary region (present day Karnataka).
[edit] Literature
Telugu culture reached its zenith during the Vijayanagara rule under Sri Krishnadevaraya. Amongst Ashta Diggajas, Allasani Peddana, Dhoorajati, Nandi Timmana, Maadayyagari Mallana and Ayyalaraju RamaBhadrudu are from this region.
Recent notable scholor from the region is Saraswati Putra Puttaparthi Narayanacharyulu.
Notable Urdu Literary personalities from this region, Qaisi Qamarnagari, Kareem Roomani, Barq Kadapavi, Ahmadnisar Madanapalle, Qamar Ameeni, Abdul Azeem, Saghar Jayyadi, Sathar Faizi, N.M.Jalib Saaqui Kadapa.
[edit] Music
Tyagaraja - Hailed from Kakarla in Rayalaseema region.
Annamayyaacharaya - Apart from the all too famous songs on Sri Venkateswara, an interesting mention of the lullaby Chandamama Raave, jaabilli raave, which every Telugu mother sings.
SriPada Pinakapani - Settled in Kurnool (21st Century). He is guru of other Telugu stalwarts like Oleti Venkateswarlu, Nedunuri Krishnamurti, Nookala Chinna Satya Narayana, Malladi Brothers and others.
Qawwali and Sama are predominant Spiritual & musical forms of Sufism and Mushaira are famous Urdu literary concerts in this region.
[edit] Pilgrimage
Rayalaseema has many important places of pilgrimage for Telugu people, Kannadigas and Tamils.
Tirupati - Abode of Lord Venkateswara.
Srisailam - Abode of Mallikarjuna (Lord Shiva).
Ahobilam - Where Narasimha blessed Prahlada.
Srikalahasti- Temple of Lord Shiva
Penukonda - Dargah of Hazrat Baba Fakruddin
Mahanandi- Lord Shiva temple
Yaganti eswara- Lord Shiva temple
Kadapa - Asthaana of Makhdoomullahi, Shahmiria
Mantralayam - One of the most important pilgrim places for Madhva sect of Brahmins.
Puttaparthi - Abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba.
Ontimitta - Famous for the temple of Sri Rama, where on the Sri Ramanavami day, Mutyalatalambralu is accorded to the lord by the state government along with Bhadrachalam.
Bramhamgari Matam Famous for the temple Sri Pothuluri Veera Bramhendra Swamulavaru.
Pushpagiri Famous for the temple Sri Chennakesava Swamy beside of Penna River
Kanipakam - Temple of Lord Ganapathi
Lepakshi Famous nandi temple in Ananthapuram district
Tallapaka birth place of annamayya
Hemavati: Famous shiva temple built in 12th century by pallava nolamba kings. It is in madakasira taluke of anantapur district.
[edit] Tourism
BELUM: - Near Banaganapalli; Famous for large underground caves.kurnool District
Gendi, Kadapa District.
Gurramkonda, Chandragiri, Horsley Hills Talakona of Chittoor district.
[edit] Spirituality
Yogi Vemana - Poet
Sri Pothuluri Veerabramhendra Swamy - Poet and clairvoyant.
Puttaparti Satya Sai baba - Spiritual and religious savant.
Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji - Pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, is from Bammeparthy (JayalakshmiPuram) in Anantapuram district.
Jiddu Krishnamurti - Philosopher.
Subhash Patri
Mumtaz Ali - Satsang foundation, Madanapalle.
[edit] Politics
Rayalaseema is underdeveloped compared to the Coastal Andhra region of the state. The growing movement in Telangana to secede from Andhra Pradesh, as well as southern India's long droughts have caused several movements to coalesce around Rayalaseema's grievances. All of these movements are calling for greater official attention for the region, especially in the form of new water projects to harness the Krishna and Godavari rivers to the aid of the region's beleaguered farmers. Congress MP Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy of Kurnool, who hopes to unite the Rayalaseema movements, advocates the inclusion of Nellore and Prakasam districts of Coastal Andhra and even the Kannada-speaking district of Bellary in Karnataka into a separate Rayalaseema state.
Various organizations like Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika are demanding the establishment of second capital in Kurnool. Kurnool is an important city in the Rayalaseema region. It was the Capital of Andhra State from 1 October 1953 to 1 November 1956 and at present is the headquarters of Kurnool District.
Rayalaseema was named so in 1928 by Gadicherla Hari Sarvottama Rao, a famous freedom fighter. Before 1928, the area was variously called as Guttha Seema and Ceded Districts.Though the area comprises 4 to 5 districts, several chief ministers came from this region. They include current Chief Minster Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Nara Chandrababu Naidu the ex Chief Minister, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy (the former Chief Minister), Damodaram Sanjeevaiah and Neelam Sanjivareddy the former President of India.
[edit] Factionism
The pecuiar phenomenon of factionism in Rayalaseema goes back to the times of Vijayanagara Empire. Village chieftains known as "Poligars" / 'Paalegarlu' were crucial for the survival of the kingdom. Vijayanagara Rulers depended upon these chieftains for military support in times of crisis and granted a fair degree of autonomy. The British tried to eliminate factionism in the region by hanging a couple of the Chieftains publicly, but failed to eradicate it. Land Reforms to distribute land and wealth usurped by Palegars have met limited success, which resulted in another violent phenomenon known as Naxalism. Factionism has political patronage and is a flourishing activity today.
[edit] See also
Kosta/Coastal Andhra
Telangana
[edit] External links
complete information of Kadapa district
[edit] Sources
Information on Kadapa district
Article in the Deccan Herald on the Rayalaseema separatist movement
"The Killing Fields of Rayalaseema"
