Tenali Ramakrishna

Tenali Ramakrishna Biography

Tenali Ramakrishna, popularly called Tenali Rama or Vikatakavi (jester poet) was a Telugu poet from Andhra Pradesh in the 16^th century. He was one among the 8 court poets of great emperor, Krishnadevaraya, collectively known as Ashtadiggajas. Tenali stories are quite popular and he is widely popular till now for his brilliance as well as wit and comedy. He has composed many religious works in Telugu language. He has great devotion for Vaishnavism and it’s well reflected in his works like Panduranga Mahatyam. Numerous movies and television serials have been made on Indian screen on Tenali Rama. 1990 Hindi TV series aired in Doordarshan was quite popular. It was based on the short-stories by Kamala Laxman.

His birth name is Garalapati Ramakrishna and he was born in Garalapadu of present day Guntur District Andhra Pradesh. He lost his father at a young age and for the same reason his mother returbed to her native place along with young Ramakrishna, Tenali, where he was brought up. For the same reason Tenali got added to his name, though it is not his birth place. Rama was noted for his brilliance and wit. He attained the status of a folk hero in the court of Shri Krishnadevaraya. Yet he has composed many religious books.

Udbhataradhya Charitamu and Panduranga Mahatyam are among the three narrative poems of Tenali available right now. Panduranga Mahatyam is counted one among the 5 great kavyas of Telugu literature. This work is dedicated to Panduranga, a form of Lord Vishnu and the best instance that he was a great devotee of lord Vishnu. He is compared to Birbal, advisor in the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar who is indeed popular through folklores.

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Updated: June 27, 2014