Maravi Venkayya Kavi

Maravi Venkayya Kavi

Maravi (marada) venkayya kavi (fl. Ce 1550-1650?) Was a kalimga poet who lived in the vicinity of srikakulam/visakhapatnam. He was a surya bhakta. There is a famous sun (suryanarayana) temple at arasavilli, about 3 km from the present day srikakulam town. It is one of the very few such temples in india. Sun worship is very prevalent in these areas. Maravi kavi composed bhaskara satakam in praise of lord surya (bhaskara). The satakam became quite famous for its excellent poetry and moral teachings. It is one of the early satakas using drshtantalamkaram (some critics bill it as the very first). He used several instances from the epics to extol morals about right conduct, right attitude, the see-sawing nature of wealth, social responsibility, self sacrifice, determination, women, etc.