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Adding Citations along with information stating a folk hero and writer in Telugu traditions
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{{original research|date=July 2012}}
{{original research|date=July 2012}}
'''Garlapati Ramakrishnacharyulu''', also known as '''Vikata Kavi'''<ref>{{cite web| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=gj2eOqgrq-oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=tenali+vikatakavi&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-7LOUbjRHqOziQL054HYCQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA|title=vikatakavi tenali rama}}</ref>, '''Tenali Rama'''{{sfn|Seal|2001|p=214}}, '''Tenali Ramalingam'''{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}} and '''Tenaliraman'''{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}}, is a folk hero in the Tamil and Telugu traditions,{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}} who figures prominently in "a host of folk stories".{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}} According to tradition{{refn|group=note|According to Jackson, "The historical figure Tenali Rama was an actual poet who wrote a text entitled ''Panduranga Mahatmya''".{{sfn|Jackson|2005|p=139}} According to Khanna, "Tenali Rama's historicity is entirely in doubt: there is no evidence, aside from the folk stories, that Krsnadevara ever had a 'real' jester; nor is there any reason to believe that Tenali Rama has anything to do with the well known Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrsnudu, the author of Telugu Kavyas Ghatikachalam and Padurangamahatyam, and a contemporary of this king."{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}}}} he was a court-[[poet]], or [[Ashtadiggajas]], and court-jester{{refn|group=note|He was called a vikatakavi ([[Telugu language|Telugu]]: వికటకవి) (a [[phonetic]] [[palindrome]]) meaning clown-jester-poet}} of [[Krishnadevaraya|Krishnadeva Raja]]{{sfn|Arathoon|2008|p=75}} of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]]{{sfn|Arathoon|2008|p=75}} in the 16th century.
'''Garlapati Ramakrishnacharyulu''', also known as '''Vikata Kavi'''<ref>{{cite web| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=gj2eOqgrq-oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=tenali+vikatakavi&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-7LOUbjRHqOziQL054HYCQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA|title=vikatakavi tenali rama}}</ref>, '''Tenali Ramalingadu'''{{sfn|Beck, Brenda E. F.; Claus, Peter J.; Goswami, Praphulladatta; Handoo, Jawaharlal|p=236}} '''Tenali Rama'''{{sfn|Seal|2001|p=214}}, '''Tenali Ramalingam'''{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}} and '''Tenaliraman'''{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}}, is a folk hero and writer in the Telugu traditions,{{sfn|Rādhākr̥ṣṇaśarma|1975|p=15}}{{sfn|Arathoon|2008|p=75}}{{sfn|Sisir Kumar Das|1991|p=521}}{{sfn| Mohammed Tahir|2001|p=57}}{{sfn|Beck, Brenda E. F.; Claus, Peter J.; Goswami, Praphulladatta; Handoo, Jawaharlal|p236}}who figures prominently in "a host of folk stories".{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}} According to tradition{{refn|group=note|According to Jackson, "The historical figure Tenali Rama was an actual poet who wrote a text entitled ''Panduranga Mahatmya''".{{sfn|Jackson|2005|p=139}} According to Khanna, "Tenali Rama's historicity is entirely in doubt: there is no evidence, aside from the folk stories, that Krsnadevara ever had a 'real' jester; nor is there any reason to believe that Tenali Rama has anything to do with the well known Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrsnudu, the author of Telugu Kavyas Ghatikachalam and Padurangamahatyam, and a contemporary of this king."{{sfn|Khanna|2007|p=4}}}} he was a court-[[poet]], or [[Ashtadiggajas]], and court-jester{{refn|group=note|He was called a vikatakavi ([[Telugu language|Telugu]]: వికటకవి) (a [[phonetic]] [[palindrome]]) meaning clown-jester-poet}} of [[Krishnadevaraya|Krishnadeva Raja]]{{sfn|Arathoon|2008|p=75}} of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]]{{sfn|Arathoon|2008|p=75}} in the 16th century.


According to tradition, he was born in Tenali, [[Andhra Pradesh]],{{sfn|Heyman|2007|p=218}} in a Telugu [[Niyogi]] Brahmin family.{{sfn|Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya: A Political Study|1978|p=233}}{{sfn|Rishi Shrivastava | Tenali|p=22}}{{sfn|Sākkoṭṭai Krishṇaswāmi Aiyaṅgār|2000|p=237}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5mkdAAAAMAAJ&q=tenali+ramalinga+niyogi&dq=tenali+ramalinga+niyogi&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HLDOUfuxBcrAigLki4GgAg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ|title=Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya: A Political Study|publisher = Andhra University Press, 1978 - Politicians|page=233|date=1978}}</ref>He was referred to in the Hampi court as the man from Tenali.{{source?|date=June 2013}} As the king Krishnadevaraya was a Vaishnavite, it is said that he would have changed his name to Ramakrishna.{{source?|date=June 2013}}
According to tradition, he was born in Tenali, [[Andhra Pradesh]],{{sfn|Heyman|2007|p=218}} in a Telugu [[Niyogi]] Brahmin family.{{sfn|Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya: A Political Study|1978|p=233}}{{sfn|Rishi Shrivastava | Tenali|p=22}}{{sfn|Sākkoṭṭai Krishṇaswāmi Aiyaṅgār|2000|p=237}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5mkdAAAAMAAJ&q=tenali+ramalinga+niyogi&dq=tenali+ramalinga+niyogi&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HLDOUfuxBcrAigLki4GgAg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ|title=Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya: A Political Study|publisher = Andhra University Press, 1978 - Politicians|page=233|date=1978}}</ref>He was referred to in the Hampi court as the man from Tenali.{{source?|date=June 2013}} As the king Krishnadevaraya was a Vaishnavite, it is said that he would have changed his name to Ramakrishna.{{source?|date=June 2013}}
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* {{Citation | last =Khanna | first =Meenakshi | year =2007 | title =Cultural History Of Medieval India | publisher =Berghahn Books}}
* {{Citation | last =Khanna | first =Meenakshi | year =2007 | title =Cultural History Of Medieval India | publisher =Berghahn Books}}
* {{Citation | last =Seal | first =Graham | year =2001 | title =Encyclopedia of Folk Heroes | publisher =ABC-CLIO}}
* {{Citation | last =Seal | first =Graham | year =2001 | title =Encyclopedia of Folk Heroes | publisher =ABC-CLIO}}
* {{Citation | last =Das | first =Sisir Kumar | year =1991 | title =A History of Indian Literature: 1800-1910, western impact: indian response | publisher =Sahitya Akademi}}
* {{Citation|last=Callā|first=Rādhākr̥ṣṇaśarma|year=1975|title=Landmarks in Telugu Literature}}
* {{Citation | last=Tahir | first=Mohhammed | year =2001 | title = Libraries in India's National Developmental Perspective: A Saga of Fifty years since independence | publisher =Concept Publishing Company }}
*{{Citation |last1=Beck|first1= Brenda E. F.|last2=Claus|first2=Peter J.|last3 = Goswami|first3=Praphulladatta|last4=Handoo|first4=Jawaharlal|year=1987| title=Folktales of India|publisher= The university of Chicago press, Chicago 60637}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
== External links ==
* K.A. Nilakanta Sastry, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002) ISBN 0-19-560686-8
* K.A. Nilakanta Sastry, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002) ISBN 0-19-560686-8

Revision as of 02:30, 12 July 2013

Garlapati Ramakrishnacharyulu, also known as Vikata Kavi[1], Tenali Ramalingadu[2] Tenali Rama[3], Tenali Ramalingam[4] and Tenaliraman[4], is a folk hero and writer in the Telugu traditions,[5][6][7][8][9]who figures prominently in "a host of folk stories".[4] According to tradition[note 1] he was a court-poet, or Ashtadiggajas, and court-jester[note 2] of Krishnadeva Raja[6] of the Vijayanagara Empire[6] in the 16th century.

According to tradition, he was born in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh,[11] in a Telugu Niyogi Brahmin family.[12][13][14][15]He was referred to in the Hampi court as the man from Tenali.[citation needed] As the king Krishnadevaraya was a Vaishnavite, it is said that he would have changed his name to Ramakrishna.[citation needed]

The temple he built for Shiva is still an important temple in Tenali, a very important town of the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh. The area in Tenali is called Ramaligeswara Peta.[citation needed]

Becoming a court poet

Several stories are being told about how Tenali Rama became a court poet and jester.

Kali's appearance

Legend has it that he was very lazy as a boy. One day a sage approached him and told him that he should be working and not be lazing under a tree. He told the sage that he had no education,so the sage told him to go to the Kali temple of the village and recite a specific mantra a 100 times. Ramakrishna went to the temple and recited the mantra. It is said that Kali appeared in front of Ramakrishna with a bowl of Milk and a bowl of curd. She told him to pick any one. The milk would give him all the knowledge in the world and the curd would give him all the wealth he needed. Ramakrishna said that both look tasty but he has to taste each before choosing, so Kali gave him both the bowls. Ramakrishna gorged both the curd and the milk. Kali was furious. However, Ramakrishna explained to Kali that what is one without the other. Kali was impressed by his wit and said that he will become a Vikatakavi, meaning a jesting poet. With his knowledge he left to Vijaynagara.

First, he approached the royal priest Thathacharya and laid his heart before him, after exhibiting his skills. Thathacharya promised Ramalinga to introduce him to the King Krishnadeva Raya. Satisfied Ramalinga spent many a days in vain, waiting for the opportunity. Ramalinga was vexed and started hunting for alternative ways that would gain entry into the court. He then located Nandi Thimmana, another scholar who had a permanent place in the royal court. Ramalinga approached Thimmana and appeased him with his expertise in spontaneous poetry. Thimmana felicitated Ramalinga by presenting him with a Kashmir Shawl, which was presented to him by King Krishnadeva Raya the previous day for his performance.

The next day, Ramalinga adorning the Kashmiri Shawl on his shoulders walked into the royal court. King Krishnadeva Raya was discussing various issues with the courtiers at that time. Krishnadeva Raya was surprised to see a stranger in the Shawl that was presented to Thimmana couple of days before. A straight question came from the King Krishnadeva Raya, “Where did you get this shawl?” With all humbleness Ramalinga replied, “My King! Thimmana could have satisfied you with his proficiency. I was fortunate enough to please that great personality with my poetry. Thimmana, pleased with my expertise…” he continued, “presented me this shawl felicitating me at his residence. I am wearing this to exhibit my competence.”

Skilled poet

According to another story, Ramalinga practised poetry and composition along with command on language and grammar. Mingling with a group of minstrels, he learnt the art of spontaneous poetry composing techniques at Tenali. He made himself a perfectionist in Sanskrit and Telugu languages. Gradually, in the natural process of growing up, he was married and was blessed with children. From then onwards, he was compelled to find ways to earn a living and feed his family.

He learnt that Vijaya Nagar ruler Sri Krishnadeva Raya was a revered patron for poetry and poets besides being a scholar in Kannada, Telugu and Sanskrit languages on par. Every poet and scholar with some skill in the vast Vijaya Nagar empire was longing for getting into the Bhuvana Vijaya, the royal court of Krishnadeva Raya. Ramalinga headed to Vijaya Nagar with a similar thought and wish in him.

Works

Tenali Rama is noted for his brilliance and wit, and for mocking other poets and great personalities.[citation needed]

He created a celebrated character called Nigama Sarma akka (sister Nigama Sarma) and a story around her without giving her a name. He also had written many Chatuvu (extempore poems).[citation needed]

Tenali Ramakrishna's most famous work, Panduranga Mahatyam[10], is dedicated to to Viruri Vedadri, or god Panduranga (विठोबा in Marathi), a form of Vishnu, whose main temple stands at Pandharpur in Maharashtra. This book is about the Pundarika Kshetram on the banks of river Bhaimi and its legend. He took the theme for Panduranga Mahatyam from the Skanda Purana and enhanced it with many stories about the devotees of God Vitthala (Panduranga).[citation needed] Scholars treat this work as one among the Pancha Kavyas.[citation needed]

He also composed Udbhataradhya Charitram on the story of Udbhata, a monk, as well as Ghatikachala Mahatyam about Ghatikachalam, a place of worship for God Narasimha near Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India[16],[17] .

Movie

1956 film

Tenali Ramakrishna is a 1956 bilingual Telugu and Tamil film produced and directed by B. S. Ranga. The Tamil film is titled as Tenali Raman. N.T.Rama Rao appeared as Sri Krishna Deva Raya in both films where Tenali Ramakrishna is played by A. Nageswara Rao and Tenali Raman is played by Sivaji Ganesan and Subhanjaneya Raju.

1990 Doordarshan Serial

But most Indian audience became familiar with Tenali Rama due to the TV serial made by T.S. Nagabharana in which Vijay Kashyap played the lead role.[18] It was based on short-stories by Mrs. Kamala Laxman.

Comic

His story was made into a cartoon called "The Adventures of Tenali Raman" by the Cartoon Network (India) in 2001.[19] He is not the joker that the comical cartoons make him out to be.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ According to Jackson, "The historical figure Tenali Rama was an actual poet who wrote a text entitled Panduranga Mahatmya".[10] According to Khanna, "Tenali Rama's historicity is entirely in doubt: there is no evidence, aside from the folk stories, that Krsnadevara ever had a 'real' jester; nor is there any reason to believe that Tenali Rama has anything to do with the well known Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrsnudu, the author of Telugu Kavyas Ghatikachalam and Padurangamahatyam, and a contemporary of this king."[4]
  2. ^ He was called a vikatakavi (Telugu: వికటకవి) (a phonetic palindrome) meaning clown-jester-poet

References

  1. ^ "vikatakavi tenali rama".
  2. ^ Beck, Brenda E. F.; Claus, Peter J.; Goswami, Praphulladatta; Handoo, Jawaharlal, p. 236.
  3. ^ Seal 2001, p. 214.
  4. ^ a b c d Khanna 2007, p. 4.
  5. ^ Rādhākr̥ṣṇaśarma 1975, p. 15.
  6. ^ a b c Arathoon 2008, p. 75.
  7. ^ Sisir Kumar Das 1991, p. 521.
  8. ^ Mohammed Tahir 2001, p. 57.
  9. ^ Beck, Brenda E. F.; Claus, Peter J.; Goswami, Praphulladatta; Handoo, Jawaharlal & p236.
  10. ^ a b Jackson 2005, p. 139.
  11. ^ Heyman 2007, p. 218.
  12. ^ Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya: A Political Study 1978, p. 233.
  13. ^ Rishi Shrivastava & Tenali, p. 22.
  14. ^ Sākkoṭṭai Krishṇaswāmi Aiyaṅgār 2000, p. 237.
  15. ^ "Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya: A Political Study". Andhra University Press, 1978 - Politicians. 1978. p. 233.
  16. ^ Encyclopaedia Of South Indian Literature. p. 109.
  17. ^ Encyclopaedia of India: Tamil Nadu. p. 94.
  18. ^ Tenali Rama
  19. ^ The Hindu Online | Adventures of Tenali Rama Article dated June 20, 2003 by Savitha Gautam, accessed on October 20, 2008

Sources

  • Arathoon, Anita (2008), Our Story So Far 4. History & Civics for ISCE Schools, Dorling Kindersley
  • Heyman, Micheael; Satpathy, Sumanyu; Ravishankar, Anushka, The Tenth Rasa: An Anthology of Indian Nonsense, Penguin Books India
  • Jackson, William Joseph (2005), Vijayanagara Voices: Exploring South Indian History and Hindu Literature, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
  • Khanna, Meenakshi (2007), Cultural History Of Medieval India, Berghahn Books
  • Seal, Graham (2001), Encyclopedia of Folk Heroes, ABC-CLIO
  • Das, Sisir Kumar (1991), A History of Indian Literature: 1800-1910, western impact: indian response, Sahitya Akademi
  • Callā, Rādhākr̥ṣṇaśarma (1975), Landmarks in Telugu Literature
  • Tahir, Mohhammed (2001), Libraries in India's National Developmental Perspective: A Saga of Fifty years since independence, Concept Publishing Company
  • Beck, Brenda E. F.; Claus, Peter J.; Goswami, Praphulladatta; Handoo, Jawaharlal (1987), Folktales of India, The university of Chicago press, Chicago 60637

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