Ponna and Ranna were two great Kanada poets of 10th century AD. These two poets along with another poet named `Pampa` of their time were called as the `Ratna-Traya` meaning three gems. These three were the greatest Kannada poets of that time.

Ponna and Ranna boomed when the Chalukyas were ruling over the ancient Karnataka area. Ponna (c 950 AD) was a follower of Jainism and he is still commemorated for his work, `Sbnnti Parana`, which is a life history of the sixteenth Jaina Tirthankara named Shanti Natha. Shanti Natha is said to have ruled from Hastinapura (the homeland of Pandavas) over a huge part of India.

Ranna was born on 949 CE at Muduvolalu (Mudhol) in Bagalkot district of Kerala. Ranna originally used to sell bangles and his ancestors were from Balegara community (bangle sellers) of Jains. He wrote on a Jaina theme and his works the `Ajita Parana` was about the traditional history of the second Jaina Tirthankara. The famous work `Sahasra-Bhima-Vijayam` was written by Ranna. It was better known as Gada-Tuddha around 1000 A.D, which was based on the Mahabharata of Vyasa. Ranna later became a poet in the court of Chakravarthi Tailapa II and also continued during the rule of his successor Satyasraya in the Western Chalukya court. He was also rewarded with the title of `Kavi Chakravarti`, which means `Emperor of Poets`. Ranna`s literature writings were all in `Halegannada`, which is an older version of Kannada language. Ranna was the first extant Lexicons in Kannada named Rannakanda. He wrote four major literary works of which only three are currently available. His literary works include `Ajitanatha Purana Tilakam`, `Ranna-Kanda`, `Parashuramacharitha`, `Saahasabheema Vijayam` also known as `Gadaayuddha` and `Chakresvaracharita`. `Ajitha Purana` is the shortest Jaina purana in Kannada and is written about Ajithanatha. Ranna even took the character of `Duryodhana`, the tragic hero to a great height without lowering the status of `Bhima`, one of the strongest `Pandava Putra`.

Ponna identified his patron Satyashraya, the Chalukya king with Bhima, the Pandava prince in this work. Ponna has summarized the Mahabharata in his poem and the title of his poem is `Gada-Tuddba`. It indicates his focus on the mace-fighting episodes of Bhima whom he has chosen as the hero of his poem.

Ponna was considered as the first Kavi-Chakravartin i.e, emperor of poetry and Ranna I was regarded as the second. Chavunda Raya was Ranna and Ponna`s contemporary, who composed the `Chavundaraya Parana`, which is a comprehensive history of the twenty-four Jaina Tirthankaras. He is more known as the person responsible for setting up the sculpture of `Gomateshwara`, a colossal monolithic sculpture at Sravanabelgola in Karnataka.

Ponna was positioned as the royal poet in the court of Rashtrakuta King Krishna III. He also achieved the title of `Kavichakravarthi`. Thus he got lucrative sponsorship and patronage. He got this title for his prowess and domination of the Kannada literary circles of that time. Ponna was also honoured with the title Ubhayakavi Chakravarti i, e, master of two languages for his command over Sanskrit as well.

The most important works of Ponna in Kannada are `Santipurana` and `Jinaksaramale; and `Gatapratiyagata`. Ponna`s another writing the `Bhuvanaika-Ramabhyudaya` is yet to be recovered. This was based on the Ramayana in 14 chapters. The Shantipurana is a eulogy of the 16th Jain Tirthankar, Shantinath, in which the stories are narrated in a dull manner. Again, the `Jainaksaramale` is a Jaina Purana, which was written with dignity and style. The formal and technical aspects of it are found in abundance and it was proved by that. Some prestigious authorities prepared a thousand copies of it and distributed. Few of the verses of this Jaina Purana glow with some poetic idea or feeling and become able to delight the mind in the core, of an arid reading of the work. The verses are well written and have a finish of their own and betray stylistic qualities.

Most of Ponna`s works are found to be original. But he is greatly indebted to the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa as Ponna translated 200 verses of his work. But it is said that he himself had announced it boldly that he was four time superior to Kalidasa. Ponna was undoubtedly very learned in the traditional lore of his times and was rather proud of it. The poet had very high opinion about his book Bhuvanaika-Ramabhyudaya`, but due to its unavailability, the fact is not confirmed yet.