Who was the first author to receive the Jnanpith Award for a literary work in the Telugu language?

Introduction / Context:
Jnanpith Award honours the finest literary works in Indian languages. Several Telugu writers have received this award, but the question asks specifically for the first awardee whose work in Telugu was recognised. This requires both knowledge of Telugu literature and the timeline of Jnanpith honours.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The award is Jnanpith Award.
• The language is Telugu.
• We must identify the first writer to receive this honour for a Telugu work.

Concept / Approach:
Viswanatha Satyanarayana was the first Telugu writer to receive the Jnanpith Award. He was honoured in nineteen seventy for his epic work Srimad Ramayana Kalpavrukshamu. Although later Telugu writers also received Jnanpith, he holds the distinction of being the first from this language.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the list of Telugu Jnanpith awardees. Step 2: Identify Viswanatha Satyanarayana as the earliest among them. Step 3: Connect his award year, nineteen seventy, with the epic work based on Ramayana. Step 4: Compare with other names such as C Narayana Reddy or Ravuri Bharadhwaja, who were honoured later. Step 5: Choose Viswanatha Satyanarayana as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
As an additional check, note that C Narayana Reddy received the Jnanpith Award many years later for his work in Telugu poetry, and Ravuri Bharadhwaja received it still later. Srirangam Srinivasa Rao, commonly known as Sri Sri, is a celebrated poet but not the first Jnanpith awardee. These comparisons confirm that Satyanarayana is the earliest Telugu recipient.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
C Narayana Reddy: A later Jnanpith awardee in Telugu, not the first one.
Ravuri Bharadhwaja: Also a later recipient, recognised for his contribution to modern Telugu literature.
Srirangam Srinivasa Rao: An influential poet, but he did not receive the Jnanpith Award as the first Telugu writer.
Sri Sri: The popular name of Srirangam Srinivasa Rao, again not correctly matching the required distinction.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may choose a more familiar modern name or forget the exact order of awards. Another error is to focus only on fame rather than verified award history. Associating Viswanatha Satyanarayana with the epic Ramayana Kalpavrukshamu and the year nineteen seventy helps fix this fact in memory.

Final Answer:
The first author to receive the Jnanpith Award for a Telugu literary work was Viswanatha Satyanarayana.