Saturday, May 25, 2013
paintings by dr k prabhakar rao
Friday, May 24, 2013
Dr K PRABHAKAR RAOS PAINTINGS
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
PAINTINGS BY DR K PRABHAKAR RAO
CARTOONS AND PAINTINGS BY DR K PRABHAKAR RAO
HANUMAPPA NAIDU’S COURAGE SAVED THE DAY FOR RAJA SOMANADRI OF GADWAL
HANUMAPPA NAIDU’S COURAGE SAVED THE DAY FOR
RAJA SOMANADRI
OF GADWAL
Dr K Prabhakar Rao
Gadwal city
is an important place in the state of Andhra Pradesh and at present it
is very famous for Silk Sarees. It was
earlier a Samsthan ( Small kingdom) under a ruling dynasty and was part of
Nizam’s Hyderabad
state. The king of Gadwal was a vassal to the Nizam. It is located close to
Karnool town on national highway 7, Hyderabad- Bangalore. The broad gauge railway line also goes through the town. Thus it is well
connected. Gadwal city has a massive fort which is still strong and imposing.
The city is developed around the fort. The province lies in between Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. Earlier, Gadwal was part
of Raichur district during Nizams times. Now it is part of Mahboobnagar
district and is 40 km from dist Head
quarters and from Hyderabad
is 150 Km.
This
small kingdom had a chequered history and
in the initial days had to manage with the Nizam and Marathas. The most
important ruler of the kingdom was Raja Somanadri Bhupala. He was a tall and
massively built person with imposing personality. He was the contemporary to
Emperor Aurangzeb. It is also learnt that the emperor maintained very cordial
relations with Somanadri Bhupala. The
Gadwal fort was built by him and it has deep moat around and was impregnable.Even after 300
years it is still strong. There are some buildings still in good state in the
fort and a degree college is run in a palace. There are many temples in the
fort that are still well maintained. A huge Bronze bell erected by Somandri for
seeking justice by people is still
there. The longest cannon of the country is
located in the fort and it is fearsome and imposing.
The
rulers of Gadwal always had conflicts
with Nawabs of Karnool and Somanadri kept them at bay. Adversaries feared Somanadri as he was very
brave.Raja Somanadri once had conflict
with Nawab of Karnool and there was a severe fight between both the
forces. In this particular conflict the royal horse of Somanadri was taken
captive and was carried away by the enemy across the Krishna
river into the enemy camp. The horse was the most favored one for the king and
he was greatly agitated at the loss.
There was no way for getting it back as
the enemy camp was very well guarded. Somanadri declared that whoever gets the horse from the enemy camp
would be highly rewarded and none dared to take up the challenge as it was a
great risk. However Hanumappa naidu a
soldier and keeper of stable came forward. He saluted the king and begged that
he might be given an opportunity to take up the challenging task. The king was
happy at his request and agreed.
The day
was soon over and people retired for rest while Hanumappa made his
preparations. He carried only a dagger and a sickle with him and in the
darkness of night crossed the river
alone and entered the enemy camp. The
soldiers of the enemy camp were making merry
at their victory on the previous
day and only few sentries was
around. Hanumappa entered the
stables where horses were kept and none noticed him. The royal horse however saw him and it identified him. It
neighed soon and Hanumappa comforted it with his hands, He slowly untied the
horse and led it out slowly. After
some time a soldier saw him and enquired
where he was taking the horse. Hanumappa replied that the horse needed water
and was taking it to river for drinking. The soldier in the darkness mistook him to be his comrade and went away. Hanumappa took the horse further away and he saw some more soldiers nearby. He was sure
that he would be identified. There
was hay stack at the place and Hanumappa
immediately crawled into haystack and lay still. The soldiers came close and
saw the horse. The horse got worried as Hanumappa was no where to be seen it started
making noises and was restless. The soldiers saw the horse loose and
thought that the rope gave way. One of them immediately took an iron
spike lying near by and drove it into
ground and tied the horse to it. Then the soldiers went away. Unfortunmately the iron spike went through
the palm of Hanumappa whose hand was lying close by. He felt severe pain but
controlled himself. Blood oozed out from
the wound without stop. He picked up courage
, took his sickle and severed his
wrist. He tied his turban to the
severed hand and came out of the stack,
untied the horse and led it away. Soon he was at the river and crossed the
river with the horse. He entered his camp to great rejoicing by all. Information was soon passed to the king
that the horse was brought back and he soon arrived to see it. Hanumappa
came forward and saluted the king with his left hand. The king was angry
at this, but soon saw that his right hand was under banadage. He enquired about
the matter and Hanumappa narrated the incident, removed the bandage and displayed his severed hand. All were shocked
at this. The king embraced him and shed tears over the sacrifice . Hanumappa was
immediately sent for medical attention. The day broke soon and Somanadri with
great vigor attacked the enemy camp
across the river like a tornado and created havoc among them. The enemy was
vanquished and the Karnool Nawab
accepted defeat and came to terms. The great cannon now lying in Gadwal fort
was brought by Somanadri from the Karnool Nawab as a symbol of victory.
The
victory was celebrated at Gadwal with
great pomp and show and Hanumappa was honored personally by the king at the
function. He was given many presents and many acres of land was gifted to him. Hanumappa although lost his palm and became crippled
had no regrets and was proud that he
served his king to his best ability in the hour of need. Hanumappas
after some years passed away in kings service and his successors still enjoy the gifted lands. Raja
Somanadri also faded into golden pages of history but his
valor is still remembered, Hanumappas sactifice, loyalty and courage are still
remembered with great pride..
CARTOONS BY DR K PRABHAKAR RAO
PAINTINGS OF DR K PRABHAKAR RAO
Sunday, May 19, 2013
VIJAY RAGHAVA NAIKA OF TANJORE PREFERED SELF DESTRUCTION THAN TO SUBMIT TO STAUNCH ENEMY
VIJAY RAGHAVA NAIKA
OF TANJORE PREFERED SELF DESTRUCTION
THAN TO SUBMIT TO
STAUNCH ENEMY
Dr K
Prabhakar Rao
Kingdoms
of Naika rulers at Madhura ( Madurai)
and Tanjavur( Tanjore) in South India came
into existence in 16 century during the rule of Vijay nagar emperors as
vassals. The dynasties were established by valiant and faithful servants of the
emperors as a result of gift from the emperors for their dedicated services to
the empire. The rulers were very brave,
good builders. Patrons of art, sculpture, music, dance and drama.However they were not free
from human passions and some of them lacked national vision. However at the closing stage of the empire
some of the rulers took advantage of the weakness of the authority of
emperors and contributed to the fall of
the empire. They even colluded with
Deccani sultans in engineering destruction of the empire. These two provincial kingdoms harbored enmity and finally they disappeared into pages of
history.
TANJAVUR KINGDOM
Achuta
deva Raya the vijay nagar emperor (
successor and step brother of great Krishna deva Raya) granted permission in 1532 to Sevappa Naika the governor of Tanjavur to
establish a feudatory kingdom at Tanjavur. Sevappa Naika was the son of
Timmappa Naika a confidant and commander of Krishna
deva Raya who impressed the emperor in his famous Raichur campaign against
Bijapur sultan. He ruled till 1580 and was succeeded by his son Achutappa Naika
( 1560-1614) who had a peaceful rule of 54 years. Till 1580 he co ruled along
with his father. Tallikota battle took
place in 1565 in which Deccani sultans
were victorious and Hampi - Vijaynagar cities were vandalized by Muslim invading army. However Vijaynagar
emperors shifted their capital to Penukonda and later to Chadragiri and Vellore. In these difficult times, Tanjavur Naikas fully
extended support to Vijay nagar emperors and contributed for its revival.
However Madhura Naikas developed vested interests and tried to shake off their
ties with the empire. Thus conflicts
developed between the two south Indian kingdoms of Tanjore and Madura .
Raghunatha Naika ( 1600-1634) succeeded his father Achutappa Naika. He was
the co ruler of his father till 1600. He
has gone down the annals of history as the great patron of art, music and
literature apart from being a great warrior of repute. He was a master of
Sanskrit and Telugu languages and wrote
several master pieces apart from a treatise on Music. He fully supported Vijay
nagar empire and took part in the ferocious battle of succession at Topur along
with Yachamanaika of Kalahasti and fought the combined armies of Jagga Raya and
Madura and jinjee armies. Enemies of Vijaynagar were defeated while Jagga Raya
was killed at Topur battle. Rama Deva
Raya the lone survivor son of the
murdered emperor Sri Ranga II at Vellore was crowned as the emperor.
Raghunatha
Naika was succeeded
by his competent son
Vijayaraghava naika( 1634-1673) also known as Mannar das in
1634. He was a scholar himself and
wrote 34 books. He patronized
art, literature, erecting edifices such
as temples.he is believed to have
maintained a big harem and freely engaged himself in activities of
pleasure.
MADHURA KINGDOM
The
dynasty at Madhura was started by Viswanatha
Naika ardent supporter of Krishna deva Raya of Vijay nagar empire and he was the
son of Nagama Naika a valiant commander of Vijay nagar army.
The
Pandyan territory was occupied by Veera sekhara chola that was under Vijanagar empire. He was soon
defeated by Nagama Naika a general of Vijay nagar in 1538. But instead of
handing over the provinces to the empire
he declared independence. Sri Krishna
Deva Raya the Vijay nagar emperor then sent Viswanatha Naika son of Nagama
Naika with large army against his rebellious father. Nagama Naika was defeated
and captured by his son and was presented to the emperor. He was however was
pardoned by the emperor in view of his past services. In appreciation of the
loyalty Viswanatha naika was made the governor of the Tamil country. He was
reportedly crowned as the king by Achuta deva Raya successor to Krishan deva
Raya. After 1559, dynastic rule
commenced at Madura as Vijay nagar empire weakened with internal rifts. Madura
Naika dynasty produced 13 rulers including queens.
Muthu
veerappa naika the ruler between 1609-1623 took part in topur battle and his armies fought along side Jagga Raya that were
however were defeated. Tirumala Naika
was the most successful ruler (1623-1659) who built magnificent buildings and palaces that
stand even today well preserved. He was succeeded by Muttu Alakadri nayaka ( 1659-1662) who was an incompetent ruler and
gave himself up to debauchery and pleasure. His son Chokkanatha Naika ( 1662-1682) succeeded him and tried to
stabilize his kingdom.. He was the
contemporary of Vijaya Ragava Naika of Tanjavur kingdom.
CONFLICT OVER A PRINCESS
Chokkanatha suffered emotionally from the death of his lovely maiden princess, who was his perfect match in brains and beauty Then the tragedy ensued. He could not concentrate on the administration duties and was frequenting the Meenakshi Temple of Madurai to feel the presence of his soul maiden whose ash was strewn in the waters of the holy temple after her death. He had unsuccessful rule and died in 1682.
Chengamala Dasu a son of Vijaya Raghava Naika escaped the sacking of Tanjavur in 1673 and he approached Bijapur sultan to restore his kingdom to him. The sultan sent an army under General Venkoji ( Half brother of Shivaji Maharaj) torestore the kingdom of Madhura to the son of Vijayaraghava Niaka . Venkoji defeated Tanjavur forces and instead of handing over to Chengamala das made himself the ruler of Tanjavur. Thus a Maratha dynasty commenced rule at Tanjavur and Naika rule was permanently terminated at Tanjavur. Madura kindom however continued till 1736 when it passed into hands of Chanda sahiba reprentative of Nawab of Arcot..
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
PAINTINGS IN WATER COLORS BY DR K PRABHAKAR RAO
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