But before I get to that I Should say that I have no gripe with Srinatha.
He was writing in a fashion that was obviuosly approved in his day. But
things change with time. Describing female body parts does not pass as
literature any more; may be porno literature but not respected
literature. I would even imagine that Srinatha would not resort to
his style of Sringaram today. How about the Lakshanikas though? Have they
grown up to accept the realities of today? I don't think so.
I will give a couple of examples below:
Prof. SV Joga Rao wrote a commentary on Kreedabhiramam. So when you read
the examples here, please remember that these are not poems selected by
me to ridicule Mahakavi Srinatha. These are from the selections of SVJ
who called them Anargha Ratnaalu.
Kati bhaarambunu jannudoyi bharamun galpinche na brahma pi
nnati kaudeegaku munna ipu vimalaarnahapoornamai yunna ee
ghatibhaarambokadekkutayye naninan karnaati kraalgannulan
batithaalimpuchu navve neelakabaree bhaarambu kampimpagaan
SVJ's comment: this lady with a thin waist already has two
weights to carry (obvious references to breasts). Now she has to carry a
third one - a pot.
Srinatha pays a lot of attention to boobs no matter whether the woman was
carrying water or working with something else.
Here is another one:
Kandukakeli salpedu prakaarambunam burushaayithakriyaa
thaandavarekha choopedu vidhambuna baamara bhaama letha yee
renda prabhaatha vela rachiyinche niranthabharambu jannulun
gundalamulgurulkadala gomayapindamu lintimungitan
The woman was making pidakalu out of cow dung. But the poet is
admiring the swing of the boobs while the woman is working.
What does SVJ think? He says: Aame paamara bhaama ayinaa, chestunnadi
pidakale ayinaa, rasikudi kannu pasikattindi aa sannivesamlo saundarya
lesanniguda vidavakundaa. Leka pote gomayapinda rachanalo purushaayitha
sphurana chaste marokadiki vasthundaa?
Only a pervert can appreciate the boob swings of a woman making pidakalu.
And it takes this kind of lakshanikulu to sing praises of such poetry.
I feel the problem is not with the writers of the past. It is with the
lakshanikaas of today who are out of touch with today's reality.
So, what do women readers, who are forced to read this poetry in the name
of classical poetry, feel about it? Well, some of them are saying that
where there are boobs, there are other things to talk about: like
abortions, like periods, like child births, etc, And the lakshanikas are
shocked! These subjects are not meant for poetry or literature! No
way, they are saying. "So called stree vaada kavitvam motham stree
jaathini represent cheyyatamledu. Kevalam ollu balisina pattana vunnatha
vargaala yuvathula vanchalanu maatrame reflect chestunnadi", said SV.
As if Srinatha's potry was representative of all Telugu people!
Sitaramayya Ari.