Ben kamma
Ben kamma, Venkamamba fl. 1840, Telegu saint and poet. Born in an orthodox Brahmin family, she was the daughter of one Krishnayya and his wife Mangamamba, and was betrothed at the age of five. She was a woman of great courage and conviction and refused to have her head shaved when she became a widow. She is the author of many celebrated works including the Vasistha-Raniayana, a Sanskrit epic. Many of her songs and hymns have become folk-lore in Telugu.
