Question

Who translated Mahabharata into the Telugu language?
A. Nannayya
B. Thikakana
C. Yarapragada
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Mahabharata is the most popular epics in the Hindu religion and also famous in other religions too. Mahabharat is a story of a war fought between the two brother cousins Kauravs and Pandyas to control the throne. This story was written about 1500 years ago and Bhagavad Gita was also included in the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata was translated into the Telugu language by kavitrayam.

Complete answer: Mahabharat great epic which is written by Veda Vyasa in Sanskrit. The Mahabharata was compiled between the 3rd century BCE and 3rd century CE and is regarded as one of the longest poems ever written. The Mahabharata is translated by a Trinity of poets known as Kavitrayam. It was translated into Telugu by Nannayya, Tikkana and Yerrapragada.
-Nannayya was the first poet to belong to the district of Andhra Pradesh. He initiated the task of translating the great Epic Mahabharata into the Telugu language. Before translating, he revised his Telugu grammar rules and increased its vocabulary. During the translation, he had used much of the Sanskrit words directly therefore it is said that Nannayya made Telugu more Sanskritised. He was able to translate the first 2½ chapters into the Telugu language.
-Thikkana belongs to the Nellore district. He took over the task of translation from nannaya. He was well versed in the Telugu language because by his time it had become a more improved language but he never attempted the third chapter and left the task incomplete.
-Yerrapragada was the great Telugu poet and was also the founder of Reddy dynasty who ruled Nellore Guntur etc. He completed the translation by finishing the parts of the third chapter which were left by Thikkana.
Therefore, option D is correct.

Note: Epics are long compositions about the heroic deeds of women and men. They also include stories about gods as well, therefore Mahabharat and Ramayan are known as great epics. W. J. Johnson has compared Mahabharat with the holy books of other religions such as the Quran and Bible and with the works of William Shakespeare. In Indian tradition, it is also referred to as the fifth Veda.