Achyutappa Nayaka of Tanjavur

A jewel stone in the crown of the Tanjavur Nayaka lineage was Achyutappa Nayaka of the 16th century A.D. He was one of the most well known rulers in South India. He ruled along with his father Sevappa Nayaka, for a period of about twenty years from 1560 A.D., and after his death ascended the throne at Tanjavur in 1580 A.D. Achyutappa Nayaka was an devout person, a Vaishnava by faith, and devoted to Lord Ranganatha (Vishnu) of the temple at Srirangam (Tiruchirapalli district), Tamil Nadu.

Literary works, the Nayaka age such as the Sanjjita Sudha and the Kaghunatha-bhyudayam divulge that, Achyutappa was also a patron of music and dance. Achyutappa Nayaka was fond of the Kuchipudi style of dance of the Andhra region and invited many Telugu exponents of this style of dance and also the Bhagavata Mela style from their native villages in Andhra to live in Melattur in Tanjavur district. They were provided with houses and land and this area came to be called Achyutapuram or Achyutarayapuram after the name of this patron.

Achyutappa Nayaka`s other contributions to the cultural scene included building and renovating many temples and honouring poets and scholars by giving them gifts of land and money, which added to the enriching glory of the Tanjavur area. This liberal king extended his patronage to Saivas, Vaishnavas and Madhvas as seen from the inscriptions and the literary sources of that time. He abdicated the throne in 1680 and made his son Raghunatha the ruler of Tanjavur. Achyutappa was supported by his very loyal and brilliant minister Govinda Dikshita, a great scholar, who also went on to be the minister of Achyutappa`s son Raghunatha, one of the most famous kings of the Nayakas who ruled with Achyutappa as heir apparent (yuva-raja) for some time before ascending the throne in Tanjavur.