Molla Ramayanam

Literary significance

Molla taught herself to write poetry and said her ability was a gift from the gods, not something she learned from a teacher. Unlike many poets of her time, she did not dedicate her work to a king seeking fame or money, which shows her deep devotion to Rama. She wrote her Ramayana so ordinary people could understand it, using simple language and avoiding fancy or complicated expressions. Her version has about 870 verses, with a preface, and is split into six sections called kandas.

What makes the Molla Ramayanam stand out is its straightforward style and heartfelt devotion. Molla insisted she had no formal training in classical poetry, but her writing shows she knew the works of earlier Telugu poets like Nannaya and Tikkana, whom she sometimes praises. Literary historian Nidadavolu Malathi explains that Molla’s claims of being uneducated were actually a sign of humility, a quality highly valued in Telugu culture, especially for women writers at that time. In her opening verses, Molla says she never studied under a guru and credits her inspiration to Srikantha Malleswara, the deity she worshipped.

Even without formal schooling in the technical rules of poetry, Molla’s verses reveal a solid grasp of earlier poets. Her descriptive passages and verse structure show the influence of Pothana’s Bhagavatam, especially in how she attributes her inspiration to divine sources, much like Pothana did. Her work is known for its simplicity, seen in her word choices and her avoidance of complex grammar.

Literary style and influence

During a period when poets favored dense, ornate language, Molla’s Ramayanam took a different path. She wrote with directness and clarity, avoiding the long compound words and grand descriptions that marked the work of her peers. Her verses were short but carried deep meaning, as when she described Rama’s arrival in Lanka with small lines that held powerful emotion and imagery. Critics often compare her vivid portrayals of characters and settings to those of Tikkana.

In her account of Hanuman’s leap across the ocean, for instance, she builds a striking visual scene, focusing on his tense expression, steady stance, and the raw force of his jump, using words that make the moment feel immediate and strong. The Molla Ramayanam follows the classic Ramayana structure, starting with Ayodhya and moving through King Dasaratha’s sacrifice, Rama’s birth, and the events leading to Ravana’s defeat. It does not include the Uttara Kanda, sticking only to the main story of Rama’s life.

By choosing brevity and simplicity, Molla made her version accessible to a wide range of readers, regardless of their background. Today, her work is valued in Telugu literature as a lasting piece of devotional writing, one that honors regional traditions while preserving the spiritual core of the Ramayana.

Did You Know?

• Molla identified herself as the daughter of a potter.
• Her father was a devout follower of Siva.
• Molla is from Gopavaram in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.