By Dr. Bhagirath S. Naganath
Rallapalli Ananta Krishna Sharma was 14 years of age when he composed his first Sanskrit composition. It was devoted to Goddess Lakshmi titled ‘Jalarashi Balelole.’ A compilation of his Sanskrit writings was published under the title of ‘Anantha Bharathi’ and had compositions like Sri Mahishura Rajyabhyudaya Darshala, Sri Gita Govinda Patha Parikshanam, Valmikehe Geye Parispandaha and Nyasa Kalanidhiutsava. ‘Sri Mahishura Rajyabhyudaya Darshala’ won Sharma the first prize, among forty contestants in a poetry competition held in Mysore to commemorate the achievements of the Maharaja in 1925. It was set in Champu Kavya.
