PREFACE.
The present publication RAJAGOPALAVILASAMU describes in beautiful verses the sports of Sri Rajagopalaswami (Sri Krishna), the Patron - Deity of the Naick Kings of Tanjore, installed in Manuargudi (Rajamannarkoil) about twenty-five miles southeast of Tanjore.
The anthor KALAYAKAVI appears to have been a favourite of King VIJAYARAGHAVA NAYAKA of Tanjore. (1633 to 1673). He was the teacher of some of the poetesses in his patron's court.
The Kavya first gives in brief the Sthalapurana of Mannargudi, and then describes the sports of Sri Krishna with his eight consorts. The poet has depicted the sports so as to exemplify the eight Nayikas well-known in Sringara Kavyas. The introductory part of the work gives the goneology of VIJAYARAGHAVA NAYAKA, the patron of the poet. The work is thus of historical as well as of poetic value.
The work has been edited with a fairly long introduction in Telugu and English by Sri N. Venkata Rao, Head of the Department of Telugu, University of Madras. Our thanks are due to him for his valuable services. In the appendix is added the Sthalapurana of Mannargudi in original Sanskrit, both in Nagari and Telugu script. It is hoped that the book will be found interesting to the general reader and to students of history and poetry.
