Tenali Rama

{{For multi|the Indian television series|Tenali Rama (TV series)}}{{redirect|Tenali Ramakrishna|19

film|Tenali Ramakrishna (film)}}

{{Infobox person

| image = Tenali Ramakrishna statue.jpg

| name = Tenali Ramakrishna

| alt = Portrait

| caption = Statue of Tenali Ramakrishna in Tenali

| native_name = తెనాలి రామకృష్ణుడు

| birth_name = Garlapati Ramakrishna

| birth_date = {{birth date|1480|9|22|df=y}}

| birth_place = Tenali, Vijayanagara Empire

| death_date = {{death date and age|1528|8|5|1480|9|22|df=y}}

| death_place = Tenali, Vijayanagara Empire

| death_cause = Snakebite

| occupation = Poet

| spouse = Sarada Devi

| children = Bhaskara Sarma (son)
Amruta Devi (daughter)

| father = Garlapati Ramayya

| mother = Lakshmamma

}}

Tenali Ramakrishna (born Garlapati Ramakrishna; 22 September 1480 – 5 August 1528), also known as Tenali Ramalinga and Tenali Rama, was a Telugu poet, scholar, and advisor in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hailing from Tenali, he earned acclaim as one of the Ashtadiggajas, a group of eight celebrated Telugu poets in Sri Krishnadevaraya's court, and is best known for his sharp wit and humour. His literary contributions include the notable work Panduranga Mahatmyam, which is regarded as one of the five great Telugu Kāvyas. He is often referred to by the title "Vikatakavi," meaning "jester poet," reflecting his unique ability to blend humour with wisdom. Tenali Ramakrishna's legacy continues to inspire various cultural adaptations in literature and media.{{cite book |author=Neela Subramaniam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gj2eOqgrq-oC&q=tenali+vikatakavi |title=Vikatakavi Tenali Rama |publisher=Sura Books |isbn=9788174780713 |access-date=2017-07-19}}

Early life

Tenali Ramakrishna was born in a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family in the village of Tenali in the Vijayanagara Empire. His father, Garlapati Ramayya, was a priest at the Ramalingeswara Swami Temple in Santharavuru. After the death of his father during Ramakrishna's childhood, his mother Lakshmamma took him to Vijayanagara.{{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}}

Despite not receiving formal education, Ramakrishna's thirst for knowledge led him to become a renowned scholar. As per popular legend, after being rejected by Vaishnava scholars for being a Shaiva, he wandered aimlessly until he met a sage who advised him to worship the Goddess Kali. According to the tale, Kali blessed him for his devotion and wit, predicting he would achieve greatness as a poet.{{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|last1=Shulman|first1=David Dean|publisher=Princeton University Press}}

Vijayanagara court

File:Model of court in Sri Krishnadevaraya asthanam.jpg

Tenali Ramakrishna was appointed as an advisor and poet in the court of King Krishnadevaraya. He earned the title "Vikatakavi" (jester poet) due to his sharp wit and humour. He was one of the Ashtadiggajas, a group of eight celebrated poets in the Vijayanagara court, and became an important figure in Krishnadevaraya's administration, assisting the king in various matters.{{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|publisher=Penguin Books India|access-date=2017-07-19}} He was very close to the royal family and Prime Minister Timmarusu. Folk tales of Tenali Rama with Krishnadevaraya are popular in India depicting his witty tales and his friendly rivalry with the very knowledgable Royal Priest Venkata Tathacharya due to undisciplined and lazy nature of Ramakrishna.

Literary works

Tenali Ramakrishna's most significant literary contribution is Panduranga Mahatmyam, considered one of the five great Telugu Kāvyas. This work narrates the legend of Panduranga, an incarnation of Vishnu, and focuses on devotion and the afterlife. Additionally, he composed Udbhataradhya Charitamu, a narrative poem about the Shaiva teacher Udbhata, influenced by the work of Palakuriki Somanatha's Basava Puranam. Through his works, Ramakrishna demonstrated his deep connection to Shaivism while gaining recognition for his literary prowess.

Later years and death

Tenali Ramakrishna is believed to have died in 1528 due to a snakebite, a year before the death of Krishnadevaraya. Although historical records of his final years are scarce, he is said to have played a significant role in assisting Krishnadevaraya in state matters and was regarded as the king's close friend.{{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}}

In popular culture

Tenali Ramakrishna's life and wit have inspired numerous cultural works:

The 1956 Telugu film Tenali Ramakrishna, starring A. Nageswara Rao
The 1956 Tamil film Tenali Raman, starring Sivaji Ganesan
The 1982 Kannada film Hasyaratna Ramakrishna, starring Anant Nag
The 1990 Hindi television series Tenali Rama aired on Doordarshan
The 2003 animated series The Adventures of Tenali Raman was produced by Cartoon Network
The Sony SAB series Tenali Rama (2017–2020 , 2024 - ongoing) is also based on his legendary tales.
Tenali Ramakrishna's character appears in various Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films and series.{{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}}