Palanati Brahmanaidu

This article is about the historical figure. For the 2003 film, see Palnati Brahmanayudu.

Palanati Brahmanaidu (12th-century ) was the minister in a small Andhra kingdom of Palnadu (part of present Guntur district). He was responsible for the administration of Palnadu ruled by Haihaya King Nalagama. He tried to usher in a new era in which caste distinctions would be abolished. Differences in ideology and court conspiracies led to Brahma Naidu leaving with his supporters, from the court of Gurajala ruled by Nalagamaraju. Nalagama's half brother Malideva established a kingdom with the support of Brahmanaidu at Macharla.

History

Anuguraju belonged to Haihaya dynasty which migrated to Andhra region from Jabalpur area in Madhya Pradesh. They claimed lineage from Kartyaveeraarjuna and new to the local language and culture.They clashed with the powerful Velanti Chodas who ruled from Chandavolu in Velanadu area of coastal Andhra.The peace treaty and matrimonial alliance.Velanati Gonkaraja of Chandavolu installed Anuguraju as king in Palnadu after giving his daughter Mailama Devi in marriage. Since the Haihaya Dynasty to which Anuguraju belonged was a recent non Telugu speaking military clan which migrated to and settled in Palnadu, Gonkaraju appointed Dodda Nayudu of Recharla lienage as the minister to guide the Kingdom of Palnadu. Anuguraju had two more wives Viravidya Devi and Bhurama Devi. Being childless for few years, Anuguraja adopted Pedda Nayudu the eldest son of his minister Doddanayudu Soon after Mailama gave birth to a son Nalagamaraju. Disillusioned with the turn of the events, Dodda Nayudu stepped down and made his younger son Brahma Nayudu the minister. Nalagama was anointed as King after the death of his father Anuguraju.

The Battle of Palnadu

The Battle of Palnadu (Palnati Yudham) was immortalized in Telugu literature by the poet Srinatha in his 'Palnati Vira Charita'. The only other scholarly book on the subject was written by Gene Roghair titled "Epic of Palnadu: Study and Translation of Palnati Virula Katha, a Telugu Oral Tradition from Andhra Pradesh". This war was very important in the social history of Andhra Pradesh. It was a battle between two factions of the Palanati Haihayas.

Nalagama Raju was the son of Anugu Raju of the Palanati Haihayas. His step brother was Malideva Raju, who was married to a princess of the Kalachuris of Kalyanadurga. The social reforms like Chaapa Koodu (Common meals for all castes) made by Brahma Nayudu antagonised the conservative sections of Palanadu society. These conservatives found an able leader in Nagamma known as Naayakuraaalu. She joined the court of Nalagamaraju and gained his confidence. Nalagamaraju heeded to her advice and displaced the group of Brahma Nayudu from key positions.The differences in the court and royal family grew and led to the division of kingdom. Nalagamaraju's half brother Malidevaraju established a separate court at Macharla. Brahma Nayudu moved to Macharla along with Malidevaraju.

Mutual suspicion and rivalry reached a high pitch between the two courts and Nagamma, under the pretext of Malideva's defeat in a cock-fight, exiled them for seven years from Palnadu. After the exile was over Brahma Naidu sent Alaraju, the son of Kommaraju, and the brother-in-law of Malideva to claim Malideva's share. The demand was turned down and Alaraju was poisoned to death under the orders of Nagamma in Cherlagudipadu.Alaraju's wife Perindevi committed Sati. The enraged Malidevaraju, Kommaraju and Brahma Naidu declared war on Gurazala. The battle was fought in Karempudi on the banks of the river Naguleru. The Kakatiya dynasty, Kota Vamsa, Paricchedis and Hoysalas supported Nalagama. Malidevaraju was supported by the Kalyana durga Kalachuris.

The faction led by Brahma Naidu and Malideva was victorious. But Malideva died in the battle, so Brahma Naidu reinstated Nalagama. Balchandrudu the valorous son of Brahma Nayudu died in this battle and along with his wife Maanchala. He is remembered as the legendary hero of Palanadu. The civil war shook the foundations of Palanadu and Velanadu kingdoms and weakened them. A whole generation of the warriors of Andhra perished in the war. The tragedy hastened the end of the end of Velanti Choda rule in Andhra. It exposed their weaknesses and allowed the Kakatiyas and their commanders to eventually overrun them.

In Popular Culture

Palnati Yudham, 1947 and 1966 Telugu films depicted various aspects of the war and the human emotions surrounding it.
The 1947 film was directed by L. V. Prasad, one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and a Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient and starred Govindarajula Subba Rao as Brahmanaidu, P. Kannamba as Nagamma and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, another Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient as Balachandrudu.
The 1966 film produced by Tagirisa Hanumantha Rao and directed by Gutta Ramineedu starred N.T.R as Brahmanaidu, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna as Nagamma, Haranath as Balchandrudu and Jamuna as Maanchaala. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna has own the Rashtrapati Award for her performance in this movie.

References

B S L Hanumantha Rao, Social Mobility in Medieval Andhra, Telugu Academy Press
Palanati Vira charitra, Oral Epic

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