Molla Ramayanam

According to literary historian Nidadavolu Malathi, Molla’s claims of lacking scholarly knowledge were rooted in humility, a value traditionally upheld in Telugu culture, especially for women writers of the period.

The introductory verses of her work suggest that Molla did not undergo formal training from a guru, instead attributing her poetic inspiration to the blessings of Srikantha Malleswara, the deity she revered.

Despite her lack of formal education in the technical aspects of classical poetry, Molla’s verses display a keen understanding of the works of earlier Telugu poets like Nannaya and Tikkana.

While her contemporaries often showcased erudition through long, complex compound words and grandiose descriptions, Molla’s strength lay in conveying profound ideas in short, clear verses.

For instance, in describing Hanuman’s leap across the ocean, she creates a visually immersive scene, detailing Hanuman’s intense expression, his firm stance, and the sheer force of his jump, using words that vividly convey the power of the moment: The Molla Ramayanam follows the traditional narrative structure of the Ramayana, beginning with the city of Ayodhya and covering major events like King Dasaratha’s ritual sacrifice and the birth of Rama, leading up to Ravana’s defeat.