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{{short description|Telugu poet and court advisor, noted for his brilliance and wit}}{{For|the Indian television series|Tenali Rama (TV series)}}{{redirect|Tenali Ramakrishna|1954 film|Tenali Ramakrishna (film)|the 2019 film|Tenali Ramakrishna BA. BL}}{{Redirect|Tenali Raman|the 1956 film|Tenali Raman (film)}}{{Unreliable sources|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox royalty
| image = Tenaliramakrishna_image001.jpg
| name = Tenali Ramakrishna
| alt = Portrait
| caption =
| birth_name = Garlapati Ramalinga
| birth_date = {{birth date|1480|9|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Tenali]], [[Vijayanagara Empire]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1528|8|05|1480|9|22|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Tenali]], [[Vijayanagara Empire]]
| religion = Hindu
| occupation = Main advisor in the [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagar]] court of King [[Krishnadevaraya]]
| spouse = Shardha Devi
| issue = Bhaskaraysharma (Bhaskar) (son)
| father = Garlapati Ramayya
| mother = Lakshmamma
}}

'''Tenali Ramakrishna '''(born '''Garlapati Ramakrishna'''; also known as '''Tenali Rama''') was an Indian poet, scholar, thinker and a special advisor in the court of Sri [[Krishnadevaraya]] who ruled from C.E. 1509 to 1529.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gj2eOqgrq-oC&q=tenali+vikatakavi |title=Vikatakavi Tenali Rama |author=Neela Subramaniam |access-date=2017-07-19|isbn=9788174780713 }}</ref> He was a [[Telugu people|Telugu]] poet who hailed from a village called '''Tenali''' located at what is now the [[Andhra Pradesh]] region, generally known for the folk tales which focus on his wit.<ref name="google1">{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&q=tenali+ramakrishna&pg=PA412|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|year=2010|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=412|access-date=2017-07-19}}</ref> He was one of the [[Ashtadiggajas]] or the eight poets at the court of [[krishnadevaraya]], the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar emperor]].He was the minister of the court

His father died when he was a child. {{clarify|date=June 2020}} To overcome the depression that Rama faced, his mother Lakṣamma took him to Vijayanagar where he became an advisor to Sri Krishnadevaraya and the 8th scholar in his court. He was a great scholar and poet of Telugu language. Tenali ramakrishna was also a minister of the court.

== Life of Ramakrishna ==
Tenali Rama was born in a Telugu speaking [[Niyogi]] Hindu Brahmin family<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e-W8AgAAQBAJ&q=tenali+ramakrishna |title=Tenali sharan krishna |author=T.SUNANDAMMA |date= 2014-01-06|access-date=2017-07-19}}</ref> as Garlapati Ramakrishna, in a village called Thumuluru or [[Tenali]] (currently a part of Tenali Maṇḍalam) during the late part of the sixteenth century. His father was Garlapathi Rama, who served as a priest in the [[Ramalingeswara Swami Temple|Ramalingesvara Swami temple]] in Santharavuru.

Rama died when Ramakrishna was young. His mother Lakṣamma returned to her native place in Tenāli to live with her brother. Ramakrishna grew up in his uncle's town and so came to be known as Tenali Ramakrishna.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e-W8AgAAQBAJ&q=tenali+ramakrishna&pg=PP3 |title=Tenali Ramakrishna |author=T.SUNANDAMMA |page=3 |date= 2014-01-06|access-date=2017-07-19}}</ref>

Tenali Rama did not receive any formal education during his childhood, but became a great scholar, due to his thirst for knowledge. As per a well-known tale, the [[Vaishnava]] (devotees of [[Vishnu]]) scholars rejected to accept him as a disciple, as he was a Śaiva. Rāmakr̥ṣṇa was still determined to get educated so he went to many paṇḍits and begged them humbly to accept him as his disciple but they called him names and threw him out. After that day he thought he will never beg anyone for his education. Next day Rāmakr̥ṣṇa went out to secure education but he did not approach any teacher. The village school wall was his teacher! Everyday he would stand by the wall and attentively listen to the lessons taught in the classroom and go back home and recite what he learned to his mother. This became his daily practice. But one unfortunate day Rāmakr̥ṣṇa got caught and was accused of being a thief so he narrated his story to the school teacher. After listening to Rāmakr̥ṣṇa's story the teacher felt proud but he could do nothing about it because of the foolish religious prejudice so he was sent away. Later while roaming aimlessly, he met a sage, who advised him to worship the Goddess [[Kali]]. He worshipped and invoked the Goddess with his devotion. Legends say that Maa Kali appeared before him and admired his sense of humor and blessed him that one day, he would be acclaimed as a great poet in the court of King [[Krishnadevaraya]] of Vijayanagara.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691633688/the-king-and-the-clown-in-south-indian-myth-and-poetry|title=The King and the Clown in South Indian Myth and Poetry|date=2016-04-19|isbn=978-0-691-63368-8|language=en}}</ref> The Goddess also gave him the title "Vikaṭakavi", impressed by his wit and humour. His wife was Sharda and son was Bhaskaraisharma.<ref>{{Citation|title=Tenali Rama|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7401524/|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref>

== King's court ==
Ramakrishna held an important position in King Krishnadevaraya's court. He was one of the Ashtadiggajas appointed by the King.

=== Later years ===
One year before the death of King Krishnadevaraya, in 1528 Tenali Ramakrishna died from a huge [[snakebite]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://yousigma.com/biographies/tenaliramakrishna.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-01-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112738/http://yousigma.com/biographies/tenaliramakrishna.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref> The records also state that Ramakrishna was instrumental in protecting the King Krishnadevaraya many times, coming to his rescue in critical situations, and he was his best friend.

[[File:Tenali Ramakrishna statue.jpg|thumb|A statue in the honour of Tenali Ramakrishnayya]]

== Literary works ==
Tenali Rama was noted for his brilliance and wit.<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8178060671|title=Tales of Tenali Rama|publisher=Unicorn Books|author=Jyotsna Atre|isbn=978-8178060675|date=September 2007}}</ref> Tenali Ramakrishna's great work ''Panduranga Mahatmyam'' is a [[Kāvya]] of high merit, remarkable for its sonorous dignity of phrasing, and is counted as one of the Pañcha Mahā Kāvyas (the Five Great Kavyas) of Telugu literature.{{sfn|Rao|1989|p=38}} It contains a legendary account of a shrine of [[Vishnu]] as [[Vithoba|Panduranga]], at [[Pandharpur]] consecrated by the ministration of Saint Pundarika. A [[brahmin]] named Nigama Sharma, who wasted his life in dissipation and debauchery, breathed his last in Pandharpur. A controversy ensures between servants of [[Yama]] and servants of Vishnu. The former were anxious to carry him to hell as he lived a wicked life and the latter claimed him for heaven, as he died in that sacred place. Indeed, the verdict is in favour of the servants of Vishnu{{sfn|Rao|1994|p=38}}
Tenali took the theme for ''Panduranga Mahatmyam'' from the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' and enhanced it with many stories about the devotees of Panduranga. An imaginary character named 'Nigama Sarma Akka' was created by Tenali Ramakrishna and he built a story around her without giving her a name. He also composed many extempore poems called 'Chatuvu'.<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8178060671|title=Tales of Tenali Rama|publisher=Unicorn Books|author=Jyotsna Atre}}</ref>

Tenali Ramakrishna attained the status of a folk hero when he was the court poet of Krishnadevaraya, but at the same time, he composed serious works on religion. Three of his narrative poems are available today. His first poem, Udbhataradhya Charitamu about the [[Shaiva]] teacher Udbhata which is based on Palakuriki Somanatha's ''Basava Puranam''. ''Udbhataradhya Charitamu'' also deals with the sanctity of [[Varanasi]]. Because of Tenali Ramakrishna's affinity towards Shaivite religion, he was also known as Tenali Ramalinga Kavi.<ref name="google1" /><ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GPdHAAAAMAAJ&q=Udbhataradhya|title=Studies in the history of Telugu journalism|publisher=Andhra Pradesh Book Distributors, Secunderabad, 1968|author=Nārla Veṅkaṭēśvararāvu
|year=1968}}</ref> However, he had great devotion for [[Vaishnavism]] as well which is reflected in his work ''Panduranga Mahatyam''.

Tenali Rama was called a Vikata Kavi <ref name="siruvarmalar.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.siruvarmalar.com/thenali-raman-stories-list |title=தெனாலி ராமன் கதைகள் (Thenali Raman Stories in Tamil) - சிறுவர் மலர் |website=Siruvarmalar.com |access-date=2017-07-19}}</ref> (a palindrome in Telugu script) means clown-jester-poet. He was also entitled by "Kumara Bharathi", for his works.

== In popular culture ==
*''[[Tenali Ramakrishna (film)|Tenali Ramakrishna]]'' is a 1956 Telugu film directed by [[B. S. Ranga]]. This film was also made in Tamil and was renamed ''[[Tenali Raman (film)|Tenali Raman]]''. [[N. T. Rama Rao]] appeared as Sri Krishnadevaraya in both films while the title role was played by [[A. Nageswara Rao]] in Telugu and by [[Sivaji Ganesan]] in Tamil.
*''[[Hasyaratna Ramakrishna]]'' is a 1982 Kannada film directed by [[B. S. Ranga]]. The film stars Anant Nag and Aarathi in the lead roles. In the film, Anant Nag plays the role of a poet, Ramakrishna.
*''Tenali Rama'', a 1990 [[Hindi]] TV series aired in [[Doordarshan]] made by [[T.S. Nagabharana]] in which [[Vijay Kashyap]] played the lead role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fridaycinemas.com/ViewMovie.aspx?mno=12&MType=Serial|title=Tenali Rama (TV Series) (1990) – Hindi Serial|work=fridaycinemas.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720090557/http://fridaycinemas.com/ViewMovie.aspx?mno=12&MType=Serial|archive-date=2012-07-20}}</ref> It was based on [[Short Story|short-stories]] by [[Kamala Laxman]].
*''[[The Adventures of Tenali Raman]]'', an animated series by [[Cartoon Network (India)]] in 2003.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/06/20/stories/2003062001610200.htm The Hindu Online | Adventures of Tenali Rama] Article dated 20 June 2003 by Savitha Gautam, accessed on 20 October 2008</ref>
*''[[Tenaliraman (film)|Tenaliraman]]'' is 2014 Tamil film featuring [[Vadivelu]] as Tenali Raman as well as Krishna Devaraya. The film was based on the comic reliefs of Tenali Raman.
*''[[Rajguru Aur Tenaliram]]'' is an animated series which was aired on [[Star Utsav]] now available on [[YouTube]] by FUNGAMATV.<ref>{{cite web|last1=TV|first1=Fungama|title=FungamaTV|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIF-5djeBCc&list=PLYQwIFsDUKvdpt0RoFe3irr7nseB9n16C|access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> The Animated series is based on the comic tussle between Rajguru and Court Jester Tenali Rama.
*''[[Tenali Rama (TV series)|Tenali Rama]]'', is a TV series aired on [[SAB TV]] from 11 July 2017 to 13 November 2020, with [[Krishna Bharadwaj (actor)|Krishna Bharadwaj]] playing the titular role.<ref>{{citation |title=Ready for Tenali Rama! |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/ready-for-tenali-rama/article19263113.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=12 July 2017 }}</ref>

== Book sources ==
* {{Citation |last=Rao|year=1989|title=Indian Heritage and Culture|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=8120709306}}
* {{Citation |last=Goyal|year=2015|title=FIX YOUR PROBLEMS – THE TENALI RAMAN WAY (COLLECTER'S EDITION) |publisher=V&S Publishers|isbn=978-9352150748}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.hindistoryof.com/2019/12/About-Tenali-Raman-In-Hindi.html|title= तेनाली रामा की सम्पूर्ण जीवनी और उनसे जुडी कुछ रोचक कहानियाँ |trans-title=Complete biography of Tenali Rama and some interesting stories related to him|website=www.hindistoryof.com}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}
{{Astadiggajas}}
{{Portal bar|India}}
{{Humor and wit characters}}
{{lists of poets |state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramakrishna, Tenali}}
[[Category:Tenali Rama| ]]
[[Category:Deaths due to snake bites]]
[[Category:Telugu comedians]]
[[Category:People of the Vijayanagara Empire]]
[[Category:Jesters]]
[[Category:16th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:Humour and wit characters of India]]
[[Category:People from Guntur district]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Male actors from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Poets from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian male poets]]

Tenali Rama - Revision history

Bogdanwyo at 03:27, 13 February 2026

CleanupBot II: Removed empty portal template using script

WikiDwarfBOT: Cleanup:

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