Eight renowned poets of Krishnadevaraya’s court were known as ashta diggajas (eight eminent scholars). They were: Allasani Peddana, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagari Mallana, Dhurjati, Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Ramaraja Bhushanudu and Tenali Ramakrishna. (SSS Vol.39, p. 254)