Biographical Sketches of Dekkan Poets/Varadacharya
VARADA CHARYA,
Was a dramatic poet of the Vystnava sect and an inhabitant of Kanchi, he lived about the time of Krishna Roya Maharajah King of Vydyana- gar or Anagondi, and was descended from a pure tribe of learned Vystnavas, and related to Tatachari, chief guru of the Panagonda kings. Varada Charya studied Sanscrit poetry from his very infancy, and as he was possessed of a quick genius and retentive memory, the works of all the best poets were very familiar to him—His imagination and invention were so fertile, that he could compose a hundred verses in one hour, and a single day was sufficient time for him to complete a regular poem. He wrote a poem called "Vasanta Teleka," descriptive of the great festival of Ranganath and the procession of his car. In this work the author has given great proofs of his powers of invention and talent at florid diction, and introduced in it some very sublime sentiments and reflections, blended with descriptions of the numerous concourse of people, of different nations and tribes, their complexions; the fashions, of their dresses; appearance and languages; the dalliance and quarrels of lovers; the tricks of juglers; antics of buffoons, and postures of dancers; the fights of rams and cocks; dramatic exhibitions triumphal arches and decorations; the procession of the chariot; the acclamations of the multitude; the beauty of the women; the strewing and scatteriag of flowers, and various other subjects. This elegant poem was dedicated to the God Ranganath, and a copy of it circulated to every Vishnu temple in the Peninsula. It was so much admired that several Rajahs made the author very valuable presents, which made him rich and independent the remainder of his life, towards the close of which, Varada Charya undeviatingly employed his poetic powers in works in praise of the God Vishnu.—This renowned bard died at Kanchi in the fifty-fourth year of his age.